The Obelisk Questionnaire: Jaakko Mäntymaa of Marianas Rest
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Jaakko Mäntymaa of Marianas Rest
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
It depends a great deal on what we are talking about, but I take this as a general question about what drives us forward in life. First of all I want to be a proper parent for my kids. Secondly I want to be better at the things I enjoy. Because I think my best days at playing football are behind me, I concentrate on my musical hobbies and day job. And of course I try to be a decent human being overall.
Describe your first musical memory.
I remember going through LPs and cassettes in my uncle’s room. Iron Maiden, Metallica and Alice Cooper for example. I remember the face of Eddie in the cover of Seventh Son of a Seventh son. It made an instant impact. Of course I didn’t have permission to go rumble through my uncle’s room. When I got caught, he didn’t lecture me but educated me on the subject and played me some of his personal favourites. And I think that is the reason I got into rock and metal in the first place.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
There are so many, I choose to go down memory lane. I remember the time I bought my first cd. I had saved money from my weekly allowance and my dad brought me to a record store. Since I had money for only one cd, it was either Gun’s and Roses and half of Use Your Illusion or Roxette’s Joyride. A hard choice, but eventually I went with Joyride, which is still one of my favourite records.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
I think my kids try me out weekly. They ask me all sorts of questions to just try out if I am honest or not. They already know the answer but they want to see how I react. And I try to be as honest as possible even though I guess a white lie would be better sometimes.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
To different places with different people I guess. I think that overall it is totally subjective as to what is progressive and what is not.
How do you define success?
The feeling you get when you have put a lot of effort into something and can look back at it happily even if nobody else gets it. When you give it your all, no one can ask for more no matter the end result.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
It’s always a terrible feeling when you let someone down. And you can see it in the face of the one you have let down.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
It would be great to be a part of creating the perfect album. But I guess that’s not going to happen.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
To contradict, to challenge, to anger and to soothe.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
Going to a Cirque du Soleil show with my kids.
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