EMQ’s With The Windmill
EMQ’s With The Windmill
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Norwegian Progressive Rockers, The Windmill. Huge thanks to their Keyboard player/ Backing Vocalist, Jean Robert Viita, for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
My name is Jean Robert Viita AKA Jeanni, and I play the keyboards and backing vocals.
The band started around 2000-2001 and evolved slowly into what it is today. We have had 4 different drummers before the present one, Nils Harsem who joined us in the beginning of 2024.
We have had one replacement on guitar, and that happened in 2010, just before the release of our debut album “To be Continued”. Since then, with the exception of the replacement of drummers, the line up has been quite steady. The band now consists of the following members:
Arnfinn Isaksen: Bass.
Erik Borgen: Lead Vocals, Guitars, Backing Vocals.
Jean Robert Viita: Keyboards, Backing Vocals, occasional Lead Vocals.
Morten L. Clason: Flutes, Saxophone, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals, occasional Lead Vocals.
Nils Harsem: Drums.
Stig André Clason: Guitars.
Former members:
Vidar Kleivane: Drums 2001 – 2005
Sven. H. «Bulle» Borgen: Drums 2005-2010
Sam Arne Nøland (RIP): Drums 2010-2018
Kristoffer Utby: 2018 – 2024
Bent Jensen: Guitars 2001- 2010
We have released 4 albums which have all been very well received in Norway, and maybe even better abroad.
“To Be Continued” – 2010
“The Continuation” – 2013
“Tribus” – 2018
“Dreamscapes” – 2024
How did you come up with your band name?
That was in fact me who in the late 90’s drove through Germany on one of our long car-drives, with my family sound asleep in the car. I was listening to Camel’s “Moonmadness” album on the car stereo, as we came up on the top of a hill. Suddenly a whole windmill park popped up in front of us. The light was beautiful, and the morning sun rays shone in all the windmill blades as they turned around in time with the music, but still not in time with one another. It was a lovely sight, so there and then I decided that one day I would start a band playing my favourite music, Prog, and I would call it Windmill.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
We are from Norway. Scandinavia
The Prog and Metal scene is quite big in Scandinavia.
Norway and Sweden have lots of internationally acclaimed Metal bands and Progressive Rock bands. And new bands are releasing albums practically all the time. So, I would say despite being quite small countries population-wise the prog/metal, and rock stage is very good.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
That would be the 2024 album-release “Mindscapes” on Vinyl, CD, and Downloads.
Who have been your greatest influences?
For me personally there are so many, but I can mention a few, like Camel, Pink Floyd, Yes, Jethro Tull, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, etc. etc. mainly bands from the 70’s. Something similar goes for mostly the others in the band too.
What first got you into music?
From when I was a little kid around 5-6 years I wanted to start an orchestra.
Initially I wanted to play the trumpet and did that for a short while in a school brass band, but I eventually found a fascination for Organs. I was so lucky and privileged to have a mother who backed me up when it came to my interest in music. She bought me an organ, and that’s when I started.
I put my first band together in apx. 1970 at the age of 10. From then on it has just continued.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
I am quite boring in that sense, so I’ll have to answer the guys I play with today.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
We’ve been so lucky to have been invited to play in The Night Of The Prog in Loreley, Germany twice, and that have been a blast both times, and we have also played other good festivals like Summers end in Chepstow, Midsummer Prog Festival in Valkenburg, Cambridge Rock festival twice, to mention a few. Where we really would like to participate would be Cruise to the Edge, as that seems to be great fun.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
I can’t remember any weird gifts in particular, but we received a truly fantastic gift from some of our loyal French fans. They had made especially for The Windmill, wooden cutting boards, and corkscrews with the band’s logo on them. One to each member. That was truly heartwarming.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Thank you so much for listening to and buying our music. By buying the music and merch from bands and supporting them, you contribute to us being available to continue to produce and record more music for you to enjoy.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Oh, that’s a difficult one. There are so many to choose from, but for me personally that must be Jon Lord. The Hammond God from Deep Purple. I can’t answer for the other guys though.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I enjoy playing live. I feel great pleasure from getting a composition arranged and formed by all of the group members. What I hate is the rigging of stuff, before and especially after a gig at a festival when we have time pressure because the next band must get time to rig their equipment.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
I Think it’s too much about the money. Short living, one hit wonders are pushed forward only to earn as much as possible in the shortest possible time. That means that bands which are not “mainstream” never get the chance to reach out to more than those particularly interested.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
“Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs or Downloads?
I do like the warm sound from Vinyls and the nice size of the covers. CDs are more practical for storing.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
It must be the first time at Loreley in 2019. That was amazing, and a dream come true for me.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I do as the rest of the band hold a normal daytime job, so being a musician is basically a hobby.
An all-consuming hobby though. Morten and I are working in the aviation business.
But if didn’t play music I would have gone all in to become a pilot. I have always been, and still am attracted to flying. I started to get my private pilot-licence when I was younger but had to give it up due to the high cost of flying lessons. But I loved it.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Initially my family. If not them I would find it very difficult to choose.
What’s next for the band?
We’re going to have a slightly delayed release concert for the Mindscapes album, together with the band “Infringement” on the 11 of October here in Norway.
Then we probably will start recording again, and at the beginning of next year we are probably doing gigs around different countries in Europe. No dates or venues are set yet, but we have people working on that.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Windmill-100063508992319/
The Windmill homepage: https://www.thewindmill.no/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5iFzNxkNt66KeiLWdE7H05?si=FY-AUS7TAWX5QqcLCSgQQ
There’s a long-standing food-based debate here in the UK. And we’d like your help. So… A Jaffa cake – is it a cake or a biscuit? Discuss!
Have no idea, in fact never heard of it. We are not British, you know.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you. Be aware that hopefully we will play at a venue close to you all soon.
In the meantime, enjoy the music, and take care.
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
