ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI ///
INTERVIEW MARISA BRICKMAN ///
PHOTOGRAPHY CAMERON BIRD ///

If you don't like Architecture in Helsinki, well, you've got a serious problem. Seriously. When music like this just flows with happiness and positive energy, you have no choice but to surrender. To hate AIH, you've got to be an asshole.

Australia's Architecture in Helsinki is nothing but good vibes. Their latest and second album In Case We Die (Bar-None) compiles a collection of songs as eclectic as they are earnest and spontaneous. A giddy goodness so consistent throughout, you might even rank them up there with the Polyphonic Spree, the Arcade Fire, or even the Beach Boys (their music also brings to mind the playful pop of the Unicorns or Beck (at least the falsetto on "Deborah").

AIH is a multi-member, multi-instrumental octet with lead singer Cameron Bird as the "project coordinator." Much like the now-defunct Elephant Six Collective, the members of AIH all have separate gigs outside of the band but unify together as an Australian super group of sorts. Their chaotic live experience comes complete with yelps, spontaneous shouts, steel drums, harmonicas, tubas, moogs and xylophones-and that's just sometimes in one song. Never feeling ironic or quirky, at the bottom of it all, AIH makes blissful pop songs with catchy riffs and sing-along choruses.

Even though the gang may have grown up in the Australian countryside (or the Outback), we get the feeling that AIH was weaned on a lot of the same classic, cheesy music that we were-you can hear it in the music. Speaking with Cameron confirmed that theory for us when he told us about the band sometimes covering Madonna, Salt 'n' Pepa, the theme to Knight Rider or MC Hammer. Like we said, how could you not love this band?

How many people are in your band?
Eight humans and one sound guy who is essentially a member. When we record, our music does not really know any boundaries. We like to make the process as communal as possible. I would like to think we could get a lot more animals guesting on the next record.

How was the band formed? Where did you meet? Like someone once said it was like all the limbs of Voltron converging on a cliff at sunset. United!

Are there any instruments that don't appear on the record?
We come from the school of thought that is, if anyone can play anything within reason, they should. So, yes there are many things we 'could' play and haven't due mainly to access.

Are there any specific ones you'd like to get access to if you could?
An electric sitar is my dreamboat. I am forever looking on eBay hoping I will find an original one. It really is the sexiest instrument I have ever heard.

How do you travel with all those instruments?
With great difficulty on a non-existent budget. They are frequently getting bashed up by airlines and we cannot afford to pay excess baggage.

How do you make music together -what's the process?
It's like making a sandwich; certain toppings really don't work, some things should not be toasted, and tomato does not go well with coke.

But do you guys get together and jam together and sort of write things free form or is there someone who sort of leads the charge every time?
I guess I am project co-coordinator. I bring most of the initial ideas to the band and we mangle them together.

What's the final decision-making process-are you guys a democracy?
As much as America is.

Are there any assholes you know of who like your music? If so, what makes them assholes?
We seem to be an asshole repellent. That is pretty much ensured when you sing in a falsetto.

Is there really a scene in Australia? Seems like a few bands have been popping up from there recently-Wolfmother, Cut Copy, etc. Just coincidence or is there an Australian invasion in progress?
Australia is so damn musically fertile and has been for many years now. At any one time in our native Melbourne there is probably 25 amazing bands. I think since the Internet has gone massive people have had more access to independent music from obscure islands such as Australia. But, I think, traditionally, Australia has always been overlooked, purely for it's geographic isolation. Which is sad because there really is lot of untapped talent there. 18 million people live in Australia; lots of them are in bands. Hopefully we get to meet those guys some day as they are both great bands doin' us proud.

Songs that a band covers generally says something about them. You cover Roxy Music as your encore sometimes-who else would you consider covering?
Part of me would love for AIH to be a cover band. There are not enough cover bands playing quality obscure songs. It's more like whatever Coldplay or RHCP song is in the charts and some Beatles and Stones, maybe "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey for good measure. I always enjoy the way an audience reacts to a good cover song. You know invariably it is much better than they react to any of your own. We have covered the Cure, Vanilla Ice, MC Hammer, Salt 'n' Pepa, Lee Hazelwood, the Go-Betweens and Randy Newman. At the moment, we're working on some INXS, Soulfinger, Fun Boy Three and the theme from Knight Rider.

It seems like we probably grew up right around the same time-what were your favorite bands in the early '90s?
Nirvana, Nirvana, and oh, Nirvana.

This is from a friend who helped me come up with some questions for you guys-I loved In Case We Die the first time I heard it but I really got to love the record whilst high on mushrooms. What drugs work and don't work with AIH's music?
That is brilliant. Truly. The only drug I have overdone whilst listening to our music is caffeine, I am taking up to five or six espressos a day whilst recording. I would not wish that coupling upon anyone. I imagine that we could be a hit with the ecstasy freaks at raves.

Compare yourself to the following bands:
Arcade Fire: We both love Talking Heads.
Polyphonic Spree: We both love the Langley Schools Music Project record.
The Beach Boys: Heroes and villains.
Sufjan Stevens: We both love Hippie Prog Jazz! I think we may be playing as his backing band when he tours in Australia in 2006. He tours in Australia in 2006.
Beck: Who?
Madonna: We have a shared interest in new age spiritual pursuits!
Kid Creole & the Coconuts: We are not worthy to be compared!!!

Your music is so uplifting and positive-are you guys are pretty happy people?
We are all totally neurotic and depressive. Music is our upper. ///