I had the pleasure of interviewing Mia and Emma Kemppainen of the sister duo LCMDF earlier this year. Enraptured by their pop sound and fun, yet empowering, lyrics, it isn’t often that I can get their music out of my head. And that’s okay, because they’re pretty phenomenal humans as well. Their senses of humor are magic, their accents are great (they’re from Finland), and their video for “Rookie” was featured in NYLON in January.
I was eager to get started when Emma expressed an interest in a follow-up interview. We hit her with a handful of fun questions to expand on the previous piece, to which she was all too happy to oblige.
You just played The Great Escape in Brighton. What was that experience like?
It was great! We spent two days at the Brighton Pier and won the main price in one of those ticket machines.
What has been your favorite memory from LCMDF?
We have so many memories from traveling the world! I think the most surreal ones are from Tokyo, LA and Moscow. But our favorite memories are all the fans and listeners we’ve met, even in the smallest cities on the countryside, that came to the show and told us how important our music is for them.
What’s the best part about performing for a live audience?
They know the lyrics, the songs mean something to them. That’s the weird and great part about it. Something I wrote in my bedroom in Helsinki makes sense for someone in a completely different country.
I feel like you’re always wearing some fancy leggings. What is it about them that you love so much? What’s your favorite pair?
They’re actually disco pants! And the I have my galaxy suit, that we got for the Rookie music video. Once you find something that works, you never wanna stop using them!
What is your opinion on the current state of the music industry?
Internationally I think it’s moving to a good place sooner or later, since people are trying to figure the situation out. As long as you keep music as main focus, not likes, fame or money I think musicians are on the right track. In Finland we should work more on our English-sung music and build more internationally interesting acts. And I feel we still have a massive problem with not enough women being booked to summer festivals.
What inspired your promo photos in a tub?
We did a tub shoot back in 2009 but the photos we’re never released, so we decided on remaking this in the legendary Hotel Kämp in Helsinki.
Recently, a moose jumped through a bank window in Finland, and it was labeled as a strange break-in. What’s your take on that? Are there any other fun and bizarre things that you’ve witnessed?
Well nothing that weird.
In other news, Helsinki just integrated a new bike sharing program with public transit. Think you’ll be utilizing those services?
I got my own bike, but I think the bike system is genius! Helsinki is starting to become a really great destination for an urban holiday, especially in the summer and around Flow Festival Helsinki.
Do you have anything fun in the works for your fans?
We’re finishing our songs and writing new material all the time, so new stuff from LCMDF can be expected!
All updates on LCMDF’s music and upcoming events can be found at LCMDF.com.
