Mayday Mayday Kuopio, can You hear me?

the drummer way of hide and seek

This week I did a trip to Kuopio, the home city of the merry metal band Reckless Love. I went there to spend the mayday (vappu) in the good rocking way of that very band mentioned above. Me and my gals road tripped to Kuopio on Monday, and chilled out on a little vacation, while waiting for the Tuesdays gig.

Kuopios own Lion

On Tuesday evening, when we five gals were in our hotel room, everyone was excited to get ready and go to Henry's Pub to see the show. Everyone but me. I don't know where I lost all my energy. I just felt like staying in and passing this gig, though it was the one thing we planned our vacation on. After all I braved up, and went along anyway.
Henry's Pub was getting growded, as many locals came to see the towns own boys play. We met up with some more good friends of ours, and got our places in the filling pub. I was feeling trapped in the cornertable we were at. For some unexplained reason I was all dull at the same time. I even told my sister I didn't want to go on the floor to see the gig from a better view. I just didn't want all those people around me.

Thunder bass

The show started somewhere between ten and eleven pm. At first it didn't even make me smile. The first real reaction out of me was a confused and shy quick smile to Pepe, when he saw me in the corner and smiled at me funnily puffing air from his mouth (He's weird, isn't he?). I was kind of hiding from the band too, and acting really not-like-myself. I didn't sing along at first, I didn't even scream. I just hanged there, clapping my hands to the beat.

rockjoy on stage

It was like I had too many things in my head and I couldn't concentrate. It took me some time to get in the mood for a show. But after some amazing songs, I just had to smile. I couldn't be a sourface and just gloom around. I started singing and taking some more photos, eventually screaming, even. I felt good. That was what I wanted to do. And this band brought it, even after the deep dark feeling of wanting to run away. The guys were so hilarious on stage. Running around, making funny faces to the crowd, kicking high, sounding awesome.... Not to mention looking okay too. ;) These dudes are so electric and funny and non-stopping. There was no way I could be sad or dull.

At the end of the gig I was really enjoying myself. All was well. But could it end well?

starting HOT with
some catchy beats

My sadness came back after a while, but with the support from my friends I was tyrying to get over it. Ollis wife, Noora, came to greet us and saw the way I was. She asked me if I was okay, and I tried to tell her it was nothing. She didn't really buy it, and later on she really pulled me up from the swamp I was in. With some help from Olli and Pepe, who had time to show me that the band really cares about its fans. Those three made me feel absurd about all this, but I am really glad they were able to share their time with me. It was an unbeleavable experience, and really comforting too. I don't think I can ever thank them enough, for what they said to me. "Just smile. Don't look so grumpy" It was propably the best advice. :D
I was in a little positive shock after that night. All that had happened was so surreal. It felt like a movie. But as Noora told me "It's a movie that's happening to you right now. It's real". And it was the best. I have even bigger respect towards Reckless Love and it's members after this all. And also, now I have proof that I have not been wrong when saying that Noora is beautiful in every way. She is just.. pure awwwwwesomeness. :)

is the growd going wild enough?

On Wednesday me and girls just relaxed. We slept long, went through some gig photos, and... Finally in the evening we went to sauna. I had waited for it. It was around nine o'clock, when we came out and I was admiring the evening sky through the dressingrooms windows. The Sauna area of Sokoshotel Puijonsarvi is like a pent-house. The view was breathtaking. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera on me.

Thank you Kuopio!

At midday on Thursday, we were leaving Kuopio behind and returning to our normal lives. But it had been fun, and all those memories will make me smile for many, many times to come. Though the trip had it downs, I'm way on the positive side. Millions of thank yous and all my gratitude to my friends, and not the least to Noora, Olli and Pepe. After all, I had a great time, and... I'm smiling big!

Keep on smiling you all.
-RW-