Lauri Ylönen
Encyclopedia
Lauri Ylönen is the frontman of the Finnish
alternative rock
band
The Rasmus
.
when he was five years old, and later learned to play guitar
and drums
. When Ylönen was eight years old, he met Eero Heinonen (the bassist of The Rasmus) and they became close friends during the school year. Ylönen's older sister, Hanna, said that he should try to sing as well. He tried and decided to continue with that, and still remains the lead vocalist of The Rasmus.
(then called just "Rasmus") in 1994, along with Eero Heinonen (bass
) Pauli Rantasalmi (guitar
), and Janne Heiskanen (drums
). First, they called themselves Trashmosh, then Antilla, and at last Rasmus. They played their very first show before the winter break in school, 1994. They played songs with a style of rock
and funk
. Ylönen became the lead singer, composer
and songwriter of the band. He quit school because the band took too much of his time.
In 1998, after having released three albums, Janne Heiskanen left and Aki Hakala became The Rasmus' new drummer. In the same year, the band's former manager Teja Kotilainen left their current record label, Warner Music Finland
. The band signed to Playground Music Scandinavia
soon afterwards.
was founded. The association consists of the three Finnish bands The Rasmus, Killer
, and Kwan
. The purpose of Dynasty was to signify allegiance and friendship between the bands and their members. Many members have tattoos or wear the Dynasty logotype on guitar straps. The bands have often worked together musically. Lauri has the tattoo on his arm as well as Pauli, Pauli also got the dynasty logo on his guitar (ESP LTD).
, on a b-side version of the group's single, "All I Want".
In 2004, Ylönen recorded a song together with Apocalyptica
and HIM's singer Ville Valo
, named "Bittersweet". The song is available on Apocalyptica's self-titled album, Apocalyptica
. It has also been released as a single and music video.
A year later, he released another song with Apocalyptica, named "Life Burns!
". This song was also released as a single and music video. The musical genre was much heavier than "Bittersweet." "Life Burns!
" is taken from the same album as "Bittersweet"
Ylönen also sang, with other members Kwan
and Siiri Nordin
of Killer
, a song called "Chillin' at the Grotto" at a gala.
Ylönen's most recent project was composing the soundtrack of the Finnish movie "Blackout". The soundtrack was released in December 2008.
being out in February. The material will have its premiere at Emma Gala
on February 26, 2011. Ylönen stated that he wanted several songs, that did not fit The Rasmus, to be released as a major record rather than a demo or something like that. The album will be self-produced with his record label Dynasty Recordings. In February 2011 the title of the album was revealed, New World
. It was later released on 30th March 2011 in Finland, with other European countries following. The first single was called Heavy
, the video was shot by Owe Lingvall who had previously directed the singles Justify
and October & April
for The Rasmus. In May 2011 Lauri stated that In The City
would be the second single from his debut album. The video was shot in Las Vegas. Throughout the summer Lauri toured the Finnish summer festivals and even a few European countries, his next stop was Germany in September 2011. In late September it was revealed that a remixed version of What Are You Waiting For would be his next single. Ylönen announced via his official website that he would continue his European tour starting with two dates in Russia for 2012. Recently he was nominated for best Finnish Act for the MTV EMA'S 2011. He subsequently won this category and went on to be nominated in the Best Worldwide Act. http://facebook.com/timetoburnstreeteam
Solo-Discography
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
The Rasmus
The Rasmus
The Rasmus are a Finnish rock band that formed in 1995 in Helsinki while the band members were still in upper comprehensive school. The original band members were Lauri Ylönen , Eero Heinonen , Pauli Rantasalmi and Janne Heiskanen...
.
Early days
Ylönen was born and grew up in Helsinki. He learned to play the pianoPiano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
when he was five years old, and later learned to play guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
and drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
. When Ylönen was eight years old, he met Eero Heinonen (the bassist of The Rasmus) and they became close friends during the school year. Ylönen's older sister, Hanna, said that he should try to sing as well. He tried and decided to continue with that, and still remains the lead vocalist of The Rasmus.
The Rasmus
When he and Heinonen started at Suutarila high school in the early 1990s, they met Pauli Rantasalmi and later Janne Heiskanen. Ylönen initiated the project of The RasmusThe Rasmus
The Rasmus are a Finnish rock band that formed in 1995 in Helsinki while the band members were still in upper comprehensive school. The original band members were Lauri Ylönen , Eero Heinonen , Pauli Rantasalmi and Janne Heiskanen...
(then called just "Rasmus") in 1994, along with Eero Heinonen (bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
) Pauli Rantasalmi (guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
), and Janne Heiskanen (drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
). First, they called themselves Trashmosh, then Antilla, and at last Rasmus. They played their very first show before the winter break in school, 1994. They played songs with a style of rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
and funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
. Ylönen became the lead singer, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and songwriter of the band. He quit school because the band took too much of his time.
In 1998, after having released three albums, Janne Heiskanen left and Aki Hakala became The Rasmus' new drummer. In the same year, the band's former manager Teja Kotilainen left their current record label, Warner Music Finland
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
. The band signed to Playground Music Scandinavia
Playground Music Scandinavia
Playground Music Scandinavia AB is a Scandinavian based record label and is currently owned by Jonas Sjöström....
soon afterwards.
Dynasty
In 1999, an association called DynastyDynasty (association)
Dynasty is an association founded in 1999 by the Finnish bands The Rasmus, Killer and Kwan. Killer has since disbanded and are no longer considered members.-Philosophy:...
was founded. The association consists of the three Finnish bands The Rasmus, Killer
Killer (Finnish band)
Killer was a rock band founded in 1999 in Helsinki, Finland. Although Killer was a quartet, vocalist Siiri Nordin was by far the most visible member...
, and Kwan
Kwan (band)
Kwan is a hip hop/pop music group from Helsinki, Finland. Most visible members of the band are the two vocalists Mariko and Tidjan...
. The purpose of Dynasty was to signify allegiance and friendship between the bands and their members. Many members have tattoos or wear the Dynasty logotype on guitar straps. The bands have often worked together musically. Lauri has the tattoo on his arm as well as Pauli, Pauli also got the dynasty logo on his guitar (ESP LTD).
Side projects
Lauri sang co-vocals with Siiri Nordin, the singer of KillerKiller (Finnish band)
Killer was a rock band founded in 1999 in Helsinki, Finland. Although Killer was a quartet, vocalist Siiri Nordin was by far the most visible member...
, on a b-side version of the group's single, "All I Want".
In 2004, Ylönen recorded a song together with Apocalyptica
Apocalyptica
Apocalyptica is a band from Helsinki, Finland, formed in 1993. The band is composed of classically trained cellists Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso and drummer Mikko Sirén...
and HIM's singer Ville Valo
Ville Valo
Ville Hermanni Valo is a Finnish singer, songwriter and frontman of the Finnish rock band HIM. He has received the "Golden God" award in 2004 by the heavy metal magazine Metal Hammer. Valo has a baritone vocal range. Valo was ranked number 80 in Hit Paraders Top 100 Metal Vocalists of All Time...
, named "Bittersweet". The song is available on Apocalyptica's self-titled album, Apocalyptica
Apocalyptica (album)
Apocalyptica is the self-titled fifth studio album by Apocalyptica.-Track listing:#"Life Burns!" – 3:06#"Quutamo" – 3:28#"Distraction" – 3:56#"Bittersweet" – 4:26#"Misconstruction" – 3:56...
. It has also been released as a single and music video.
A year later, he released another song with Apocalyptica, named "Life Burns!
Life Burns!
"Life Burns!" is a song by the Finnish cello rock/heavy metal band Apocalyptica, featuring Lauri Ylönen from The Rasmus.The song was originally released on Apocalyptica's sixth studio album Apocalyptica on January 24, 2005. The single was released on April 11, 2005.-Track listing:# "Life Burns!"...
". This song was also released as a single and music video. The musical genre was much heavier than "Bittersweet." "Life Burns!
Life Burns!
"Life Burns!" is a song by the Finnish cello rock/heavy metal band Apocalyptica, featuring Lauri Ylönen from The Rasmus.The song was originally released on Apocalyptica's sixth studio album Apocalyptica on January 24, 2005. The single was released on April 11, 2005.-Track listing:# "Life Burns!"...
" is taken from the same album as "Bittersweet"
Ylönen also sang, with other members Kwan
Kwan (band)
Kwan is a hip hop/pop music group from Helsinki, Finland. Most visible members of the band are the two vocalists Mariko and Tidjan...
and Siiri Nordin
Siiri Nordin
Siiri Nordin is a Finnish singer. She was the lead singer of the now defunct Finnish rock band Killer. In 2003 Nordin had a hit on her own with the song "Sydämeni osuman sai" included on the soundtrack of the movie Helmiä ja sikoja...
of Killer
Killer (Finnish band)
Killer was a rock band founded in 1999 in Helsinki, Finland. Although Killer was a quartet, vocalist Siiri Nordin was by far the most visible member...
, a song called "Chillin' at the Grotto" at a gala.
Ylönen's most recent project was composing the soundtrack of the Finnish movie "Blackout". The soundtrack was released in December 2008.
Solo career
Most recently, Ylönen announced a solo album scheduled for release in March 2011 with the first single HeavyHeavy (Lauri Ylönen song)
- Charts :...
being out in February. The material will have its premiere at Emma Gala
Emma-gaala
The Emma-gaala is a Finnish music gala arranged yearly by Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland, awarding the most distinguished artists and music professionals of the year. It has been arranged since 1983, except for the years 1988–1990....
on February 26, 2011. Ylönen stated that he wanted several songs, that did not fit The Rasmus, to be released as a major record rather than a demo or something like that. The album will be self-produced with his record label Dynasty Recordings. In February 2011 the title of the album was revealed, New World
New World
The New World is one of the names used for the Western Hemisphere, specifically America and sometimes Oceania . The term originated in the late 15th century, when America had been recently discovered by European explorers, expanding the geographical horizon of the people of the European middle...
. It was later released on 30th March 2011 in Finland, with other European countries following. The first single was called Heavy
Heavy (Lauri Ylönen song)
- Charts :...
, the video was shot by Owe Lingvall who had previously directed the singles Justify
Justify (The Rasmus song)
"Justify" is the second single released from the 2008 album, Black Roses by the Finnish rock band, The Rasmus."Justify" is a slow, dark and emotional ballad with Nine Inch Nails influences. This is a very melodic song. The first demo for "Justify" was made in Los Angeles, California, at both James...
and October & April
October & April
"October & April" is a song by the Finnish rock band The Rasmus, featuring Anette Olzon from Nightwish.The song was recorded during the same time as the other songs from the band's latest studio album Black Roses, but wasn't included as it didn't follow the album concept. Instead it was later...
for The Rasmus. In May 2011 Lauri stated that In The City
In The City
-Music:* In the City , 1977** "In the City" , the title song* In the City , 1975* In the City , or the title song* In the City , 2010...
would be the second single from his debut album. The video was shot in Las Vegas. Throughout the summer Lauri toured the Finnish summer festivals and even a few European countries, his next stop was Germany in September 2011. In late September it was revealed that a remixed version of What Are You Waiting For would be his next single. Ylönen announced via his official website that he would continue his European tour starting with two dates in Russia for 2012. Recently he was nominated for best Finnish Act for the MTV EMA'S 2011. He subsequently won this category and went on to be nominated in the Best Worldwide Act. http://facebook.com/timetoburnstreeteam
Studio albums
With The RasmusThe Rasmus discography
- Studio albums :------------------------- Singles :*1995 - "1st"*1996 - "2nd"*1996 - "3rd"*1997 - "Blue"*1997 - "Kola"*1997 - "Playboys"*1998 - "Ice"*1998 - "Liquid"*1999 - "Swimming with the Kids"*2001 - "F-F-F-Falling"...
- 1996 – PeepPeep (album)Peep is the debut album by Finnish alternative rock band The Rasmus , released on 23 September 1996 on Warner Music Finland....
- 1997 – PlayboysPlayboys (1997 Album)Playboys is the second studio album by the Finnish rock band The Rasmus which was released on August 29, 1997 on Warner Music Finland....
- 1998 – Hell of a TesterHell of a TesterHell of a Tester is the third studio album by The Rasmus, then called Rasmus. It was released in 1998 by Warner Music and received Gold status in Finland. The most popular single was Liquid, which was released in September, getting into the Top 40 on MTV Nordic...
- 2001 – Hell of a CollectionHell of a CollectionHell of a Collection is the first compilation album by the Finnish band The Rasmus, released in 2001 by Warner Music Finland....
- 2001 – IntoInto (album)Into is the fourth studio album by the Finnish rock band The Rasmus , and the first studio album to be released under the name "The Rasmus". It was originally released on October 29, 2001 by Playground Music.It is the band's first studio album with their new drummer Aki Hakala, who replaced Janne...
- 2003 – Dead LettersDead LettersDead Letters is the 2003 album by Finnish alternative rock band The Rasmus. It was released in 2004 in the US, UK and Australia. Their previous album, Into, had been a success in some parts of Europe, particularly Scandinavia and Germany, but Dead Letters signified the band's major break-through...
- 2005 – Hide from the SunHide from the SunHide from the Sun is the sixth studio album by the Finnish rock band The Rasmus, originally released in mainland Europe, the UK, Scandinavia and Japan on 12 September 2005. It received Platinum status in Finland and sold more than 15,000 in the UK alone. All in all Hide from the Sun sold 400,000...
- 2008 – Black RosesBlack Roses (The Rasmus album)Black Roses is the seventh studio album by the Finnish rock band The Rasmus, which was released on 29 September 2008 in the UK. In Germany the album was released on 26 September and in the Nordic countries two days before...
- 2009 – Best of 2001-2009
- 2012 – New Studio Album
Solo-Discography
- 2011 – New WorldNew World (Lauri Ylönen album)New World is the first solo album from Lauri Ylönen, lead singer of Finnish band The Rasmus. The album was released on 30 March 2011. This album contains songs by Lauri that didn't fit The Rasmus' style, and decided to be released as a solo album...
External links
- The official website of Lauri's solo project
- The Rasmus' official website
- Lauri Ylönen at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...