Manzana

We had the chance to meet Piritta from Manzana at Kiirarock 2014 in Tampere. We talked about her tour routine, her inspiration for the songs and much more.

Manzana is Spanish for apple. How did you come up with your band name?

Piritta: I was studying Spanish at this time then I just noticed the word “Manzana” and I thought of poison like in "Snowwhite2. That was the apple idea. I just thought that it is a good name for a band.

You have released already 4 records. Did your song and music writing process change during the years ? How?

P: Not that much. We, me and Henka, are writing most of the songs. We are kind of an old married couple in songwriting. It is really much the same. But now when Johannes is in the band , he is composing too, it is changing a bit which is really good because we get some fresh blood . (laughing)

Where do you get your inspiration for your songs ?

P: I’ve always been writing and I’ve always been creative ever since I was quite small. There are always things, I notice about the world. It could be a movie, it could be a dream, it could be a conversation with a friend, it could be one line on a commercial and then it just keeps going around in my head and I just think : What could it be? And it just pops out.

Your current record “Toy Machine” was realeased 3 years after “Industrial Hippies”. Why did it take so long to release a new one?

P: Because I wrote a book in the middle. It’s a very slow process writing a book. And the change of the line up was another reason. We thought that after one significant person changed, Klasu , Johannes came.We wanted to have some more time to find out, if there is another way of composing. And we also toured a lot , we had a lot of shows. We decided that we make all the shows and I write my book and after that we make a new album.

What is your personal favorite song from your own ones?

P: Depends on what mood I am in. “Mother can’t rock” is really fun because it is always the last and I can scream everything off.

You have been on several European tours and next one starts soon. If you compare the 1st one with the last one : Did your tour routine change during the years?

P: It changes a bit all the time. The biggest change is, that the fear is gone. The first time is like : "Oh my god. Am I be ok? Am I good enough?"Than you realize that they are just people. There is nothing weird. It is easier somehow. But you have to be careful not to make it too easy because then you suck. It is good to be scared a little.

How does such a day looks like on tour?

P: Maybe sleeping till 12 o’clock.Then waking up in some city where you don’t know where you are. You are very hungry and you try to crawl over the people sleeping on the floor. I just go around looking for food like animals. (laughing) Then maybe interviews around 17 o’clock. And at 18 o’clock you go for sound check. The days are quite similar .

Do you have any rituals before a show? Which one?

P: Yes. We usually group hug and we scream and all that stuff. But it depends on the mood. For myself, I have a weird thing. I scream. I try to wake myself up when I am tired or something. But it changes.

Are there any special country specific things you are looking forward on the tour through Europe?

P: Czech beer. (laughing) Czech Republic is one of the favorites of everyone. The Baltic countries too. they have very good food. In every country, there is something nice. And Germany has been always very nice. It varies.

What was the weirdest location you had a gig?

P: Probably some weird soviet build factory, deep in the Lithuanian country with no electricity. But it was a great show.

You are a multi-tasking and also multi-talented woman. Next to being a singer, you are a writer, a teacher, a model and a mum. How do you balance all these things?

P: I forget! I can’t stress because I forget. I am working really manic for several months but then I can sleep for 3 weeks and I don’t have problems. But when I was younger, I was very easy to burn out. So I learned this way that you shouldn't think about things too much.

Describe your music in three words.

P: Colors. Dust. Movements.

What kind of music or songs did your parents “torture” you? Or did you like that songs/music and still listen to those?

P: Well, my parents were a bit Hippies. So I barely remember the best like Hair musical. And I still like it.

Was there a special moment that influenced you to make music? Which ones?

P: I wanted to be a dancer, when I was younger. But I was too big for ballet. So I couldn’t be a dancer because of my structure. I was like 9 years old and at New Years Eve, I remember seeing Tina Turner on TV. And my mother said: "Ohh why does this woman have to be so brutal?", she thought the skirt was too short and that was not appropriate for her age.And I was like: "Aww she is awesome. I wanna be Tina Turner!" Then I kind of recognized that I am a rock singer. So Tina Turner is the turning point.

When did you start making music?

P: I was in choir,I was playing the piano and stuff like that. Maybe when I made my own music with 15 or 16, trying to get into my brother’s band but that never happened. I was writing poems and stuff like that. So maybe when I got into my first bands, I kinda learned : "Oh we can do our own music!"

Your “ famous last words” to your fans out there. :D

P: Be true to your heart and keep rocking!

Thanks Piritta for the time !

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Interview by Kat

In German/ In Deutsch

In Finnish/ Suomeksi

In Spanish/ En Español