INTERVIEW: Netta Laurenne (Smackbound)

QUICKIE OF THE WEEK: A short interview with Netta Laurenne (Smackbound)

Pix666: Hi Netta. The most important question right at the beginning. Are you well and are you healthy?

Netta: I’m all good, thank you. So is my family and the whole band and their families. We all take it day by day now.

Pix666: Recently your debut album ’20/20′ has been released. How satisfied are you with your work?

Netta: I am very happy with the album. One can say that an album is really never ready but it gets released. We were able to let go of the songs on the right moment for them to start living their own lives….just like children. 🙂

Pix666: Your band Smackbound was already founded in 2015 – why did it take so long to release the album – what were the obstacles?

Netta: There were really any obstacles. For the first year we toured performing cover gigs because we wanted to make sure we get along well in the touring circumstances. After that, in 2017, we started writing song for the band. we were all busy with work so we wrote the album when we were able to get together. In 2019 we recorded the album and then started to search for a suitable label.

Pix666: There are some really cool video clips of you guys. These are all very different and seem to be difficult to shoot. Who had the idea for the clips and how long did it take to shoot the clips? Were there some funny moments during the shooting that are worth telling?

Netta: Our music videos were fun to work at. We shot one day and then edited the videos. The initial ideas for the videos are mine. Tons of funny moments, one being the Calima sandstorm in Gran Canaria that destroyed most of our equipment and made it quite hard to shoot. The storm stole our lights, shoes and all possible gear. 🙂

Pix666: Normally you go on tour as a band after you have released an album. Now the Corona crisis has turned life upside down. At the moment there is not yet the possibility to do events and concerts. Did you have to change many of your original plans?

Netta: Sure we had to cancel all our gigs. We were especially looking forward to the big summer festivals but gladly there is always next year.

Pix666: When should your next concerts with an audience take place, and do you believe that these dates can be kept??

Netta: We don’t know when we can tour again. We haven’t booked anything since we cancelled the gigs due to corona.

Pix666: Have you worked in other bands before you joined Smackbound?

Netta: Sure. I have had bands in my youth and have collaborated with many bands before founding Smackbound.

Pix666: How are the other guys of the band, how are your friends and families? How do you stay in touch with them?

Netta: We are greatful to all be safe and sound. Financially the times are challenging but we concentrate on the good things. Family, friends, music and hobbies. We see each other once a week to write new songs for our second album and talk a lot with each other. Our guitarist Teemu is the only one we haven’t seen after this covid-19 pandemia started as Teemu and his family lives in Switzerland.

Pix666: You are from Finland – what is the general mood in the country regarding the Corona crisis??

Netta: The mood is calm and everyone is trying to stay positive. Naturally everyone is insecure about the future and hoping there won’t be a second wave coming.

Pix666: What things do you miss the most at the moment?

Netta: I’m quite happy at the moment but of course gigs and also travelling.

Pix666: Do you believe that this crisis will change the behaviour of humanity in the future?

Netta: I’m sure it will have a permanent effect on us all. We have to reconsider a lot of things we used to take for granted. But I hope we start hugging each other again soon. 🙂

Pix666: Do you have any other news about Smackbound that you would like to share with the fans?

Netta: Stay healthy and listen to music that will give you a good feeling and energy.

Pix666: Thank you very much for the interesting insights into your present life and good luck with the band for the future – stay healthy!

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