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The Finger – Emerging Artist Spotlight

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The Finger

April 9 2012: We love exploring new bands and when we run into some new music we like we make it a mission to get a hold of the artist(s) and ask them for an interview to get to know them or their band better. Our previous Emerging Artist Spotlight focused on Ottawa based hard rock act Wise, Young & King. Today we are going to the other side of the globe and in particular to Greece to talk to The Finger. The Finger hails from one of the most beautiful corners of the world – the northern part of Greece named Macedonia (birthplace of Alexander the Great) and in particular the city of Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki is Greece’s second largest city and is easily considered one of the best parts of Greece. In fact Lonely Planet named Thessaloniki as one of the world’s “ultimate party cities“. The city is over 2300 years old and has a very rich cultural heritage that spans centuries. What makes me an expert on it you may ask? Well it is my birthplace and in fact my last name is in tribute to that geographic part of the world.

Thessaloniki, Greece (photo by Terry Makedon)

Naturally when I heard The Finger‘s songs and found out that they are from my birthplace I was more than excited to reach out to them and find out as much as I could. Here is what they told us:

Hello, let’s start off with an introduction to the band. Can you tell us who the members are and what is their role in the band?
The Finger: We are Lia Siouti (vocals), Sotiris Noukas (guitar and production), Sakis Azas (guitar), Andy Haralanis (bass), Nick Ditsias (drums). 
The Finger
How about the history of the band? When and how did it happen?
The Finger: Actually we are a new band, we’ve only been together for 8-9 months. We all had previously worked together in various projects, old bands, solo projects etc., and we were all in the same state that we wanted to do something different. That actually brought together, Sotiris, Sakis and me. In no time, we released the first single “Die! Die Superhero!”. Afterwards, Andy and Nick joined us and we officially formed The Finger.
I remember going to a progressive bar/club in Thessaloniki named El Lay in the mid 80’s and your songs would have fit perfectly there (in fact the first time I heard your CD I had a flashback to those times). I am certain your music will be as timeless 20 years in the future.  Are you consciously making your music to last for many years and not sound outdated in a year or two like much of the commercial pop on the radio?
The Finger: Well, we didn’t have in mind that we shouldn’t sound outdated in 20 years from now, but we did have in mind but we have to completely love every single sound we use in the songs, regardless of what’s playing on the radio these days. We actually avoided listening to the radio, the period of the recordings. We did not want to get influenced by anything, or anyone. Maybe, that’s why we sound a little “oldschool”, because what we’ve been listening to the most, for so many years, finds a way to enter the songs we write, unconsciously.
An influence, is always an influence, you can’t delete the songs you love from your mind!
Lia Siouti lead vocalist of The Finger
What is your favorite single line of lyrics on the I Don’t Believe My Eyes CD and why?
The Finger: “I don’t believe my eyes,i’ m drawing circles on a line”, because it’s talking about pointless actions. And all people have a weak spot, or keep doing the same mistakes.
Your music is as powerful in a dance club as it is live in a concert hall. Everyone will have their preference but for me I would love to hear the CD playing very loud on a beach bar of a beautiful Greek Island beside the blue sea. Where do you think the album would be heard best for the first time?
The Finger: I’m hoping not on the internet, I’m wishing at a concert, or even better – and to combine it with our common love for the Greek beaches-, at a festival, on a Greek island, right by the sea!
Lia you have one of the best and powerful female voices I have ever heard, did you spend many hours training it or is it a natural gift?
The Finger: Confession time:  I don’t know a single note, i don’t know how to play an instrument, i just love singing. Since the day i set my foot in school, i just knew it wasn’t my place to be, and i was singing all day at home. I drove my parents nuts! I guess, it is a gift, which of course i should have taken advantage of and learn professionally what to do with it.
I feel a little embarrassed about that, sometimes. On the other hand, Jimmy Hendrix, was self-taught and after he became world wide famous, he went on to learn notes.  So, i suppose it’s never too late!
Sotiris Noukas of The Finger
Sotiri, you produced the album as well as play guitar on it. Can you tell us how the process went (was it easy because of the band chemistry or was it difficult in order to achieve the excellence of the final product)?
The Finger: Well, first i have to say, that we had so much fun, while recording the album that we can’t wait to start recording the second one! All the guys, and Lia were previously session musicians in other albums i produced, so we didn’t have any trouble finding out our sound and how we wanted to record the songs. It is like having a true connection with each other! Everyone understands so quickly what he should do and that’s why we finished the record in a such short period of time. In two days, we’re actually recording a cover too. Can’t wait to share it with you!
Your music can be described as “moody and dark” as much as it can be called “uplifting and euphoric”. I think a big part of your success will come from the ability to touch the human emotion with your songs.  As an artist how rewarding is it to be able to connect directly with other humans (and some on the other side of the world)?
The Finger: That’s the purpose, the dream, the goal to achieve. That’s why we try to use powerful melodies, emotional lyrics. We want people to feel the same things that we feel when we write the songs. It’s the only way to communicate and reach a wider audience. And of course , the greatest reward of all is when people when listen to us and ask when and where we’re playing next! The interaction with a live audience is much better that receiving feedback just on the net. We’d love to expand our audience through the internet but we’d prefer to perform for them live.
The Finger
What comes first the music or the lyrics?
The Finger: I believe that it’s an equal measure. A good lyric might sound perfect with a very good melody and a good melody might sound better with a nice lyric. Every note is a word and every word needs the right note. The best thing is to combine emotional lyrics with powerful melodies. I really don’t engage with a song, when the lyrics or the music luck interest. Both should be the perfect match for each other.
We love discovering new music, and at the end of last year we presented our picks for the “Top 10 Albums of 2011” (we focus mostly on rock albums.) My question to each member of the band is What is your favorite album of 2011 (not including any of your own work)?
The Finger:
Sakis: Foo Fighters – Wasting Light
Lia: Crystal Stilts – In Love With Oblivion
Sotiris: Pj Harvey – Let England Shake
Andy: Suckerpunch Soundtrack
Nick: Death Cab For Cutie – Codes And Keys

Thanks Lia and everyone else from The Finger, we are very happy that we can talk to you. Without a doubt this band is on the path to a great musical career, the quality of their music is world class, the singing is magical and their energy is undeniable. Their commercial success really only depends on how many people get the chance to listen to them globally. If you like euphoric yet moody music that doesn’t quite fit in any genre do not miss the opportunity to check out The Finger. We leave you with a link to the title track from Don’t Believe My Eyes. They do kick ass don’t they?
 

T-Mak
Author: T-Mak

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