It’s that time of year again, and as our thoughts turn towards a new year we look back at the ups and downs of the past eleven or so months that made up 2017… And who better to start our season of 2017 retrospectives than a man who has just used the year to record possibly the best album of his career?

Hello there! thanks for kicking off our My 2017 series! For the benefit of the tape, please identify yourself… “Mikko von Hertzen, the singer and rhythm guitarist of the band Von Hertzen Brothers“.

Thank you. Thinking broadly, what would you say  was the best album you bought this year? “10, by a Finnish band called Egotrippi, but I guess better to mention the new album by The Foo Fighters, Concrete and Gold”.

Vieläkö mut voi pelastaa? I’ll have some of that! And what was the highlight for you personally in the last year? “”Well of course finishing our own seventh album (War is Over) in good spirits and with a sense of fulfilment”.

And what an album it was! What about low lights? Who stunk the place out musically in 2017? “”Honestly I can’t pinpoint any real disappointments since we were kind of too busy doing the album to study what was going on in the music world around us”.
Probably very wise. There was an awful lot of rubbish abroad in 2017, let me tell you. Away from music, what have you found disappointing about the wider world in 2017? “”Watching the reactions and lack of empathy, compassion and willingness to help people who struggle is always disappointing. The world is in turmoil and we really need to step up as humans to preserve a harmonious, healthy and peaceful world”.

Wise words indeed. Looking forward now rather than back, what’s on the cards for the band/you in 2018? “We are hoping to stay healthy, in good spirits and thrive as a band. That means meeting new people, playing new places, and succeeding in delivering the music we love”.

New places? Canberra is very nice, you know… Now, we’re coming up to the party season – what’s the better night – Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve? And what will you be drinking? “Personally I like peace and quiet, so out of those two Christmas eve is maybe more important to me. On New Year ’s Eve we usually play somewhere and throw a party and that’s always nice too… Christmas needs a bottle of good red whereas New Year’s Eve something bubbly”.

A sommelier as well as a prog rock God! Is there no end to your talents? What’s the first thing that springs to mind if I say ‘Australian metal’? “Wolfmother (not metal, but after AC/DC my favourite Aussie band).

We’ve just started Sentinel Daily Radio – I don’t think we’ll be playing any Wolfmother but what five other songs should every metal radio station have on its playlist?
Black Sabbath – War Pigs
Motörhead – Ace Of Spades
Soundgarden – Down on the Upside
AC/DC – Let There Be Rock
Rage Against the Machine – Bulls On Parade

If they aren’t already playl isted we’ll put that right! thanks! Finally – Anything else you’d like to say to the readers of Sentinel Daily? “Check out our band and when/if you visit Sydney, go and have a bite at my friend’s restaurant Blanca at Bondi Beach”.

Plug delivered! Thanks for taking part! “My pleasure!”

 

The Von Hertzen Brothers’ new album, War is Over, is out now.