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Kalle Lindroth is a singer, songwriter, and TV personality who handles the A&R for Finland's most prominent international pop sensation, Kääriä. Kääriä is known for his Eurovision hit Cha Cha Cha, among other songs. He has also written songs for pop sensations such as Antti Tuisku. However, of the songs written and performed by his artist duo, Ida Paul and Kalle Lindroth, I probably like “Mä Mietin Sua” the best.
Another good song is “Kunnes Sammutaan” by Ida and Kalle. Although they did not write the original, it is on my “Forever favorites” list.
All these things being said about Kalle, more than anything, he's always been a good friend. Hence, this is a heartfelt Finnish conversation between two friends, much like whenever we go out for a run.
We discuss what it’s like working in the entertainment business and reflect on some old memories together, such as when we set out to build the failed attempt called Slush Music. “Failed” in the sense that it didn’t break even and didn't gain enough traction as an event even before the pandemic.
Enjoy the listen! If the language is a challenge here’s the summary and overview in English generated by NotebookLM after using Turboscribe to transcribe the file as Substacks transcriber didn’t work properly this time around.
Overview
This podcast episode features a conversation between Kalle Lindroth, a music industry professional with experience as a musician, songwriter, and A&R, and Niki. They discuss Kalle’s career trajectory, his views on the A&R role, the importance of boundaries between public and private life, and his experiences with burnout. The conversation also delves into a past collaborative project called Slush Music.
Key Ideas and Facts
Kalle's Diverse Career Path:
Kalle started his music career at a young age (13) with his band Smak, landing a record deal at 14.
He transitioned from being an artist to writing music for other artists before eventually working within record labels.
He moved to Sweden to explore the record label side of the industry.
Currently, he works as an A&R (Artist and Repertoire) representative for a music company.
He also had experiences in acting, including TV and theater.
The A&R Role:
A&R is described as the person who is responsible for artists, their art, and their repertoire within a music company.
Kalle believes a good A&R should be a "challenger, encourager," and brutally honest.
Kalle has been influenced by his first A&R, Asko Kallonen, who he considers an important prototype.
He struggles with being an A&R for himself, finding it difficult to be objective about one's own artistic path.
Boundaries Between Public and Private Life:
Kalle emphasizes that maintaining a clear separation between his personal and public lives is important to him.
He attributes his ability to separate these to early guidance from a tour manager, Karla Ahnyks.
"Karla silloin jo tosi paljon ohjeisti siihen, että esimerkiksi yksityiselämän ja julkisen elämän välillä vedetään tiukka raja, että se on hyvin selkeä ja brutaali." ("Karla already guided a lot then, that for example, between private and public life, a strict line is drawn, that it is very clear and brutal.")
He believes that if personal boundaries are set, the public will generally respect them.
He doesn't seek the spotlight for its own sake; his focus is on his music.
Mental Health and Burnout:
Kalle experienced burnout as early as 16 years old, which was surprising at that age.
He has learned to recognize the signs of his nervous system going into overdrive.
His coping strategies include reducing stimuli, getting more sleep, and recognizing physical symptoms.
He sees his early experiences as having helped him better manage challenges later in life: "Mä oon monessa jutussa sanonut, että kun mä oon nuorena kokenut niin monia juttuja, niin ne on auttanut mua tosi paljon vanhemmiten, kun tulee jo kova paikka." ("I have said in many things that when I have experienced so many things when I was young, they have helped me a lot when I'm older, when the going gets tough.")
He describes a seven-year cycle of high-pressure periods in his life, in which he has learned to apply those strategies.
Slush Music Project:
Kalle and Niki were involved in the Slush Music event, a project aimed at bringing together the tech and music industries to foster innovation.
The goal was to have tech and music professionals discuss opportunities together and develop products that meet real industry needs.
The project was ahead of its time in 2016 when the music industry was still recovering from a market downturn.
They describe how the lack of openness of the Finnish music industry made it challenging to gain traction.
While the financial success wasn't achieved, many found the connections and learnings valuable.
Kalle is still passionate about this, noting that he still hears about the impact of the Slush Music events.
International Guests:
The event was able to bring significant figures from the international music industry, such as Che Pope from Kanye West's Good Music Label, and Stu Bergen from Warner, showing the potential of the idea.
Quotes of Interest
On defining himself: "Kuka minä olen? Sitähän ihminen kysyy varmaan itseltään joka päivä." ("Who am I? That's what a person probably asks themselves every day.")
On boundaries between public and private life: "Jos vedät rajat, jos et puhu läheisistä perheestä lapsista, niin ei kukaan rupea sitä kaivelemaan, jos ei ole kaiveltavaa." ("If you set boundaries, if you don't talk about close family or children, then no one will start digging into it, if there's nothing to dig up.")
On the nature of A&R work: "A&R käytännössä on sisältövastaava niissä projekteissa." ("A&R is basically the content manager in those projects.")
On the importance of A&R belief in the artist: "Jos sinä et usko siihen ihmiseen tai siihen bändiin, niin et sinä silloin voi tehdä näitä asioita." ("If you don't believe in that person or that band, then you can't do these things.")
Analysis
The podcast provides valuable insights into the music industry from multiple perspectives. Kalle’s journey highlights the diverse roles within the industry and the importance of adaptability. His emphasis on the A&R role as one of both support and challenge is insightful. The discussion about work-life balance and the challenges of maintaining mental well-being in a demanding industry is particularly relevant. The Slush Music story provides a case study of innovative ideas that were not fully realized due to industry limitations and timing, but were influential. The frank conversation also gives listeners a realistic view of the ups and downs of a career in music, showcasing the realities of both success and failure.
Conclusion
This podcast episode offers a reflective and informative look into Kalle Lindroth's career and views on the music industry. His emphasis on boundaries, mental health, and the evolution of the music landscape makes this conversation insightful for both industry professionals and those interested in the topic.
If you’re interested in following or reaching out to Kalle you can do so via his Instagram account behind the button below or reach out to him via email; kalle.lindroth@warnermusic.com
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