Kaija Koo is the most experienced of the Mestarit line-up.
Kaija Koo will perform this fall as part of the Mestarit line-up together with Ellinoora, Jenni Vartiainen and Vesala. Jussi Eskola
A familiar voice is heard on the other end of the phone.
– Well then, what are we going to play, Kaija Koo asks at the beginning of the interview.
Kaija Koo is an artist that almost all Finns know because of her impressive solo career. The older generation remembers him from the band Steel City from the early 80s. And now Kaija Koo returns to the band again, in a way, when the Mestarit line-up tours Finland.
In addition to Kaija Koo, the quartet includes Vesala, Ellinora and Jenni Vartiainen.
During the tour, the ensemble became a common song Free, which is a new version of one of the most significant songs in Kaija Koo’s career. Giving it to common use was not easy.
– But no other song can be chosen as our theme song, it has a message that touches everyone.
Kaija Koo talks more about the meaning of the song, and about selflessness: how everyone benefits in the endgame when you are a little less selfish and how the common good is everyone’s good.
– Oh, terrible, now I sound like a head of state.
Ellinoora understood the meaning of the song.
– Free is the turning point in my life. It felt drastic to remake it, but it turned out great! Ellinoora asked him how it feels. It was an empathetic question.
Own peace
In advance, Kaija Koo thought about how everything would go between four strong personalities. During the rehearsals, it has become clear that the chemistry of the artists works well together and the atmosphere is encouraging.
– We know the difficulties of the industry and we know how to be at the top of the mountain. Of course, this is also a potpourri of compromises, Kaija Koo states.
Some things are not negotiable, like your own peace under the gig.
– I don’t like too much noise and commotion when I’m concentrating. I need to be able to be in peace before the show.
Shortly before going on stage, the four get together to create a good joint force.
– And I always take a small shot of cognac before the start of the gig, it’s refreshing. Hennessy belongs to the raider, and this autumn the whole four of us will gather in my cabinet to take the little “sticks” together before dawn.
Over the years, Kaija Koo has developed a precise routine before gigs. Jussi Eskola
The gig before Kaija Koo recounts the events of the stage. He does that at home too. According to Kaija Koo, preparing before a gig is like preparing for a sports performance. There must be plenty of water, as well as electrolytes.
– I go through the structures, I imagine that there is a stage in my home and I walk through all the points. I also stretch a lot, because I want my body to be in good shape.
Changing clothes has been particularly discussed this time.
– I have two dressers, and I go through the clothes changes with a stopwatch. Everything has to go according to the second, like a dance.
Hit hangover
The songs for the concerts are chosen together, of course. Each artist also suggested to each other which songs they wanted.
– Choosing the songs is an extremely precise task, because you can even destroy a song if it’s in the wrong place!
Kaija Koo went through the songs of all the artists. Vesala’s New Dreams was particularly touching.
– I am moved by it every time.
There is a deep understanding between the four women’s Mestarit line-up. Jussi Eskola
Kaija Koo lavishly praises other masters and their professionalism.
– Other female artists have also traditionally visited my gigs, and it has been a dream deep in my heart to be able to do a whole concert with top female artists someday.
– This Mestarit line-up was a wish from the record company. The appearance of a strong female quartet is at this time. And now we’re not just talking about singers, but also music makers.
The song list and the entire show have now become what the artists hoped for.
– I once laughed out loud to myself when I looked at the list of which hits we sing at gigs. This will be a hit hangover!
The Mestarit tour is Finland’s biggest joint tour of all time. Arena gigs will be seen in late autumn 2022 in Espoo, Vaasa, Turku, Kuopio, Oulu and Tampere.