Finland-based film and TV composer Kepa Lehtinen releases new single “16mm” Taken from the upcoming album It Is OK To Be Sad And Dark, “16mm” is a somber and hypnotic ballad performed on theremin, piano, and double bass captured with a gritty noir-inspired sound that represents the attainment of a major artistic goal for Lehtinen. “I have chased this sound for a long time,”he says, “retro but ultra hi-fi, the dark sound of the past modernized. The sonic equivalent of the way 16mm movies look.”
Listen to the new song here
The theremin is a unique electronic instrument which produces sound when your hands interact with the electro-magnetic field it emits without actually touching the device itself. It was invented in the labs of KGB by Russian engineer Leon Theremin in the early 1920s. Letinen’s previous theremin piece “Kontula” has been streamed almost 500,000 times on Spotify and “16mm” will again bring the unusual, violin-like instrument to a large, modern audience.
What is your “backstory”? When I got into the Film Department of Aalto university, I noticed how music is actually one of the most important aspects of film, and I really became interested in the possibilities of film music. During my studies, I found myself doing more and more soundtrack music for student films, From that I moved to working life for advertising and film productions. In 2018, I was then confident enough to release my first solo album, Playing Theremin.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your music career?
I have allways been a big fan of theremin sound. When i got mine i have never played one. After few days of practice i thought i was playing “twinkle twinkle little star” but no one could recognize the tune.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
I am currently working on tv-add so that is not wery intereting. Exiting is that mega pianist Anna Sutyagina is going to play and record “It is ok to be sad and dark” on super popular moving classics.
Who are some of the most famous people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
Madonna has commented my music. ” I have only just begun” is a song for gay rights on Russia. Madonna said it is something Putin should check out
Which people in history inspire you the most? Why?
Shigeru Miyamoto created Mario and Donkey Kong because he could not get the rights for Popeye. That is inspirational.
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What would you advise to an aspiring artist who would like to emulate your career?
Musicians should have today so many skills besides music making. What is real difficult is to make somebody actually listen your music even if the music is great.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
I should do so much more.
What are your “3 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
1. don’t try to do everything alone
If you are hopeless perfectionist like me and you are doing mastering for your track (file name master23.wav) Maybe it is a good idea to let somebody else do the mastering.
2. watch out for scammers
Music scene is so full of crooks
3. everyone gets bad feedback
When it comes to music, everyone is an expert. Ignore the dumbest.
Is there a person in the world you’d love to have Brunch with, and why? He or she just might see this.
I would like to ask (my hero) Michael Schumacher how he is doing nowadays.