A Dirty Dozen with JUSSI TURUNEN from WHEEL – May 2024

According to a recent press release: “Anglo-Finnish progressive metallers Wheel previously announced their third studio album Charismatic Leaders, which arrives on May 3. Charismatic Leaders was meticulously crafted to meet Wheel’s ever-heightening benchmarks and recording with engineers / co-producers Daniel Bergstrand and Fredrik Thordendal (Meshuggah) stretched from August to December 2023. The end result, mixed by Forrester Savell, has consolidated all the gains of what came before: singer/guitarist Lascelles, lead guitarist Jussi Turunen and drummer Santeri Saksala’s third album represents their heaviest and most conscious music to date. Charismatic Leaders clocks in at just under 50 minutes, and will be available as a Limited CD Digipak (also featuring the Rumination EP tracks as bonus), and a Gatefold 180g LP, both featuring artwork from Lucas Mayer (Long Distance Calling, Blackout Problems).” We get Jussi to discuss new music, influences, and more.

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

I think there’s a lot hidden nuggets on the record. A lot of them are themes or melodies repeated with a different sound or instrument and lot’s of variations. I think Wheel music is full of small hidden gems.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

My friend in elementary school was a huge metal and rock fan. We used to listen to a lot of music with him. First time he played me “The Trooper” from Iron Maiden it was clear I needed to get myself a guitar. About the same era I heard “Battery” from Metallica. I was totally blown away how good guitar could sound. Following summer I got myself a nice Yamaha acoustic guitar.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Earliest influences I mentioned on previous question. Grunge music had also a really big influence on me in mid nineties, but one of most influential records for me is definitely the first album of Audioslave. That really turned my life around when it was released. The heaviness of the riffs and grooves was something I hadn’t heard before. Of course that guided me to RATM albums. I also saw Audioslave in Helsinki Ice Hall 2004 or 2005. And they were even more impressive live than on the records. Messing around with tempos, for example slowing down in choruses to get the maximum heaviness out of the song was something that really got me and the rest of the crowd wild.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Tom Morrello. He’s my hero and really creative on guitar.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I enjoy downhill skiing and ice skating. I happen to have a skating rink almost in my backyard and less than ten minutes drive to nearest ski resort. Benefits living in cold and dark Finland. I’m also a hockey enthusiast. I don’t play ice hockey myself anymore, but I love watching NHL and follow the Finnish hockey players!

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I would describe our music melodic and grungy prog metal with heavy riffs and grooves and lots of dynamics. We’ve often been compared to Tool, which is an honor and I agree that we’ve been influenced by them. Sometimes the Tool comparations just get ridiculous. I think we have our very own style although the influences are there to be heard.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Santeri cooks, let’s say I bring the drinks, and definitely James would be the campfire guitar man, if someone happens to have a leftie guitar lying around which is not very often.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I’m always starstruck when I see our Wheel frontman  Mr. Lascelles. His charisma is out of this world! 😉

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Best part of being a musician for me is touring and getting to meet the people who listens our music. I also love the creative and studio work, but sometimes it can get very exhausting. I can’t really imagine me doing anything else except music. Maybe I could be a truck driver. I like the feeling of being on the move. Only problem is I can’t load or drive a truck.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

What is your favorite NHL team? Oh, I thought you’d never ask! Colorado Avalanche is my team number one. I also follow Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars. And while writing this they’re all still in playoffs. Haven’t done much Interviews since I joined the band, so not really tired  of any questions.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Really hard question, but maybe I could have used the time during COVID-19 restrictions a bit more efficient. There was some really tight restrictions in Finland and all I did with the time I had, was basically nothing.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Chris Cornell’s Euphoria Morning is a record that really sounds like something that hadn’t been done before it’s release and haven’t been done after. Very unique sounds harmonies and music. It would be very nice to see how some of that stuff was recorded and created. And of course that record is one of my absolute favourites. I still go back to it every once in a while. And I think that’s a record the whole Wheel is a fan of.

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Category: Interviews