Interview of Milan Kolarovic (Acumen).
Given to Legend Diskmagazine`s issue #3,
Hugi Diskmagazine`s issue #21 and NoName
Magazine on the 1st of October, 2000.

Page 1 - 'Page 2'

Q: What do you think about MP3s in demos & other scene productions?

A: I never really have quite understand the big fuzz and fight over "MP3 vs. Mod" issue, since it`s all down to the music itself in the end. MP3s and MODs after all are just two different, human invented formats for audio. Although I must confess that I would much rather download the MOD version of a song if there is one provided than the MP3 version, since as I explained earlier, I want to see how it was all done, organized together. You cannot learn or see that from an MP3 file. That`s the main reasons why I`m still releasing my own songs in both formats, so that others could take full benefit music, both in learning and listening experience. Heaven only knows where I`d be right now if I wouldn`t had the opportunity to learn from some of today`s famous trackers the skills to compose and orchestrate music. The "learning experience" is the most important defense for the MOD format that I can think of. MP3 is just compressed audio, but in the end it all comes down to the music itself. For MP3`s defense I must say that it has already opened many doors that were earlier shut tight from "home musicians". Now with MP3`s we can distribute songs to a much wider and bigger audience, worldwide! I try not to think too much of this format issue, since it feels more like wasting time over a subject that really isn`t worth talking about. Allthough one thing is for sure, MP3`s are here to stay. Funny, but in a way MP3`s have ment the end of the "old demo-scene", but at the same time saving the entire music scene as we know it.

Q: What do you think about using MP3`s done by a non-scener and used in demos (State of Mind, Toys, Shad2, Vip2, etc.) ?

A: Actually I haven`t followed the news that carefully that I would exactly know what you`re talking about. MP3`s by a non-scener are fine with me as long as they aren`t violating any copyrights of some known artists, bands or groups. I can tell you for sure that if 'Michael Cretu' ever would do a song only for a demo, that would be something I`d have to have and see immediatly. ; )

Q: How often do you visit demoparties?

A: Not as often as I`d like to. So far I`ve only attended Assembly`99 and Assembly`2000 where I succeeded quite well by placing 7th in the 'multichannel music competition' with 'Landmark of Lullabies' and placing 11th in the 'MP3 music competition' with 'Adagio for Freedom'. I`ve thought about going to some other major parties in Europe, but atleast for now those thoughts are not very likely to come true. It would definetly be a lot easier to attend a demoparty outside Finland if there would be other travellers to journey with from Finland, an organized trip with maybe even some people I`d already know.

Q: Some parties have cancelled 4 channel music compos. Do you think it's a good idea?

A: Although I have never released a "4 channel song" before this years Assembly`s 'oldskool music competition', I like seeing and hearing songs that have the "classic" sound and feel to it. Sure, it`s always a heart warming moment to hear what people can make out of 4 channels. Also C64 tunes can be amazingly well-crafted, for example Assembly`99 'C64 music competition'. It was the best music competition there in my opinion.

Q: Around our scene people have an opinion that the demo-scene is dying. What do you think about its future?

A: It`s the whole world that is changing, and so is the demo-scene along with it. The everlasting and ongoing process is called "evolution", and I for one have nothing against evolution, nor aging process or anything else that comes with time. It`s quite normal that we humans are afraid of changes, we`d all like to life in a safe enviroment, and this very often leads to the fact that we feel unbalanced if something changes around us, or we experience things that our brains cannot "register", or suddenly loose control over some matter. This is a quality that was written to genes millions of years ago, and lies in the human nature. Mother nature sure knows how to make it hard for us to feel comfortable and to adjust. I`m sure demo-scene isn`t dying, but I agree that the golden days are over, but there might be new "bright eras" ahead, who knows. It`s all down to us, whether we want it or not. I guess in a way demo-scene has to go through a change, a facelift, a rebirth. I think that the beginning of a "new generation" got started out at Assembly`2000, and hopefully others will follow the example. The productions presented there were terrific, people really seemed enjoying themselves and taking full credit of their achievements.

Q: Do you have any idols, musicians or other people who you especially respect, admire and look up?

A: Michael Cretu (Enigma), for giving me faith, an inspiration to do 'New Age' music and emotions I never knew I had in me until I heard Enigma`s 3rd album ('Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi!'), which still remains as one of my all time favorite albums. Vangelis, for giving so much for so many legendary movies like 'Blade Runner'. Also one thing about Vangelis that fascinates me especially is the fact that he`s totally self-taught what comes to musical knowledge. His example gives faith and courage to my kind of people who don`t know much about musical theory, but have a big heart full of passion towards music. I know there are a lot of people like me in the demo-scene. Last but not least, I admire people who have good moral sense and values, and their own genuine taste and style. When it comes to tracker musicians, I can easily raise one name on top of the others. Surely my biggest respect and admiration goes for Vesa Norilo (aka 'Warder'), and to his genious mind & music. Every composer who does music with a sincere heart has my total respect!

Q: Your favourite demo groups, music groups, demos, intros, coders, graphicians, etc. ?

A: Yikes, well.. cause I don`t really watch or download demos so often, I should say my choices go back in time by naming 'Future Crew' as my favorite demo group. My favorite demo would have to be the recent winner of Assembly`2000 combined demo competition 'Spot' by 'Exceed'. Extraordinary well-crafted demo which I applauded standing. I don`t really know so many music groups, maybe 'Five Musicians' and 'Third Eye' are the best so far that I`ve come across. I really don`t follow up the scene much outside the music scene, although I`d love to do music and soundtracks for all sorts of productions, demos, animations, games, etc.

Q: What are your future plans? Are you going to do something commercial?

A: Commercial, yes - very much hoping so, but even I cannot predict my own future. After Assembly`2000 I got a handfull of projects offered to compose music for games and website`s background music, of which I`ve already accepted one and currently negotiating with others. It`s all up to the quality of the music and coming across with the right contacts and persons. I`m also planning on getting a domain name by the end of the year, and I`m right now holding a graphics contest who`s winner will get his picture on my new website`s opening page. Read more about the rules at my website http://www.kolumbus.fi/acumen if you`re interested.

Q: Tell us something about the state of the demo-scene in your country.

A: To my eyes it seems as if it`s growing strong and attracting more and more new young hobbyists. Finnish trackers have always been very skillful and well-known around the world. People like Dune, Skaven, Purple Motion, Elwood and Mellow-D are finnish. I hope that what I saw at Assembly`2000 was a new start for the finnish demo-scene.

Q: Any other hobbies except computers and music?

A: I`m glad you asked. Yes, I`m fighting against becoming a nerd. ; ) I love motorcycling, fishing on summers, driving indoor karting, watching movies and listening to music. I also have this cute little doggie called 'Peggy' (who`s 5 years old) who needs attention and caring. Besides these, I`ve also taken up on my studying and I`m currently getting a Media Assistent`s degree at Jämsä city (Jämsän Seudun Koulutuskeskus) and if everything goes according to planns, I`ll graduate in 2002. Hopefully my studying won`t interfere my music composing, but I cannot give any quarantees. I hope that I`ll also get new ideas and methods for my music making through out my studies. I`m also going to teach some areas of the education myself, like 'audio' and 'homepage' designing.

Q: Do you like disk-mags?

A: Yes, very much so. I enjoy reading them, the articles are the real gems of each magazine, the charts positions are fun to watch if you don`t take them too seriously, and it`s even more enjoyable when you can contribute some work (music/articles) for them. I guess my disk-mag-relationship started with 'Hugi diskmagazine'. Before that I had only heard people talk of disk-mags, but I wasn`t never really interested in exploring them. Nowdays I download almost all diskmagazines I can find, like 'Hugi', 'Pain', 'Shine', 'Sunray', etc.

Q: Do you have a personal motto?

A: I don`t have any of my own, but I will always remember this next phrase I heard in one of Scooter`s old song called 'Move Your Ass'. If people would live by it, repeat it daily to themselves, the world would become a much better place to live. The phrase goes like this: "It`s nice to be important, but it`s more important to be nice". It says it all, don`t you think.

Q: Where can one get all your modules?

A: At my homepage where everything is and will always be linked. This is a very often asked question even from me, and I`m a bit suprised that people haven`t read the sample/instrument and message areas in my IT files, or the .TXT files with`in the zipped MP3`s cause the URL of my homepage is mentioned in every one of them. Maybe people listen the songs nowdays with different players like XMPlay (which is the most accurate module player!). The URL of my homepage is http://www.kolumbus.fi/acumen . Later on this year I`m hoping to have a domain of my own. When and where would that be is still open, but I quarantee my current homepage will inform of the situation when it changes! All suggestions for the domain name are welcome, send them by email to acumen@kolumbus.fi

Q: Now, if you wish - it's time for greetings.

A: Greetings to all those people who`ve been in contact with me over the past years. Take care of yourself and of your loved ones! Thanks for the interview!

~ Milan Kolarovic (Acumen) 01.10.2000