Torsti Mäkinen became known as the leading figure in Lovex. Now the man is planning to release new music in Finnish. The days are also busy with carpentry work.
Known as Theon as the vocalist for the Lovex band Torsti Mäkinen, 39, no longer spends a hectic rock life. Mäkinen, who lives with his daughter and open wife for more than a year, is filled with the work of a carpenter at Baum Design and Woodworking. Mäkinen’s workshop is also located in the courtyard of the family who recently moved to Akaa.
– The move made the job much easier. I used to drive to the workshop for twenty minutes, now the distance is twenty meters.
– Of course, fatherhood has also set a new life. Everything has gone well, and I am a happy father, even though sleep has been low at times.
At the same time, Mäkinen says that he sang new children’s songs.
– Many kinds of fun songs have been sculpted. The repertoire has expanded considerably from previous singing to dogs, Mäkinen laughs.
Although the carpenter’s work has filled most of Mäkinen’s days, he has occasionally risen to the stage with his guitar. He still does not promise to return to Lovex, who played his last gig in Helsinki on On the Rock in 2016.
– It should never be said, but a return is very unlikely, even though we have received offers every now and then.
– The return of Lovex is unlikely simply because we all have our own patterns and schedules, even though everything is fine with personal chemistry. I’m also not sure if I would like to have some kind of nostalgia experience through this.
New music
Mäkinen, who turns 40 in the summer, talks about the musical news during the interview. He plans to release completely new Finnish-language music later this year.
– A lot of songs have been created in the desk drawer. When forty years come to an end, I feel the time is right to return. It is also clear that if nothing is done to the songs, they will remain in the box permanently.
Mäkinen’s new music is in Finnish, unlike during Lovex.
– Finnish is a very fine and rich language. However, it has been a bit challenging to make the texts work in Finnish, as I wrote lyrics in English for so long.
He describes his new music in a self-developed term.
– I would say my music is a meininki beat. This means that Iskelmä of the past is refined into more modern things in it. I said the term to a few acquaintances as I played them songs, and they thought it was appropriate, Mäkinen smiles.
Mäkinen says that the aim is to produce the whole band.
– That would be the starting point, although the plans are still at the very beginning. I also try to arrange the songs in their final form with other musicians.
– There is also no information on whether I will release the new songs myself, for example, as an ep or through a record company.
He still can’t tell by what name he’s releasing new music.
– However, this is not Theon, who is familiar from Lovex.
Rocker life
Lovex performed extensively abroad, including in Russia. THURSDAY MÄKINEN’S HOME ALBUM
Mäkinen’s career at Lovex, founded in 2002, began in 2004. At the time, the band’s name did not affect him.
– The name wasn’t taken very seriously, but it went. The name, on the other hand, was so annoying that it stuck in my mind. I still don’t get excited about the name, even though we had many great years otherwise.
Lovex released four albums as well as a compilation album that saw the light of day in 2016. The staple of the songs with the strongest reputation was released in 2005 Guardian Angel, which would shoot Finland at the top of the singles chart. The band also gained fame in Japan and other European countries. Mäkinen admits that the yellow liquid rose to the head momentarily.
– It happened when we got a record deal. This was especially evident as a fast-paced celebration. Empty bottles and cans were also taken out of the hotel by bagging. However, we still did not throw TVs out the windows, for example.
Theon aka Torsti Mäkinen in 2007. Jan Strandstrom / FunSport Ltd
After the fast-paced stages of the beginning, Mäkinen feels calmed down through everyday life.
– Since the music did not bring enough earnings, I sometimes worked as a salesman in a bicycle shop, so it really wasn’t a piece of music.
A wide variety of memories have also been remembered from around the world. In St. Petersburg, Russia, young men with make-up were not recommended to leave the venue.
– We were told that there was probably a beating and robbery ahead. So we looked wiser to skip the city tour.
– At that time, the food was overcooked pasta and cold liver sauce, so it was an experience of its own. Still, the gig itself went well and the reception was great.
In Cologne, Germany, the band’s bassist couldn’t go on a city tour to eat well and enjoy the scenery.
– The party had lasted a little longer. When we came back, it turned out that his day had been spent eating teddy bears and watching German dubbed Star Wars, Mäkinen laughs.
The tree as a vocation
Torsti Mäkinen also works as a carpenter. TOMI OLLI
During Lovex, Mäkinen started studying carpentry in adult education evening studies, as he was interested in interior design. Despite his more peculiar appearance, he blended well with other students.
– A few autographs were requested, but otherwise I was one of the students.
After graduation, Mäkinen founded his current company. The working days consist of the design and manufacture of furniture and the execution of custom-made work for customers. Mäkinen’s favorite furniture in terms of design includes various tables, stools and lamps. Ideas for furniture pop into a carpenter’s mind in much the same way as lyrics and melodies to pieces of music.
– Thoughts may arise, for example, when walking in the woods, ie you never know where an idea will come from. The formula is quite the same as for music tracks.
The skills of a carpenter have also been needed during gig trips.
– Nikkaroi once drummed the broken cymbal bag into condition with the help of plywood, so my wood skills were useful.
He characterizes wood as a whole as a very interesting material.
– Each tree is its own individual. In many ways, wood is a very fascinating element, it is also much more pleasant to touch than, say, plastic.