Ville Valo: a slightly weird, quite adorable, extremely interesting interview

The Northern Lights, Nokia, The Moomins. Finland has a lot going for it. And yet perhaps the shiniest jewel in its crown is that of one Ville Valo, until 2017 the singer in the goth pop phenomenon HIM, thereafter – and under the VV initials – the sleek solo artist he had always threatened to be. Ville released his debut solo album ’Neon Noir’ on January 13th, 2023, via Spinefarm and on this episode [recorded 18/11/22] we get into what went wrong and what went very right with his old band, and how this new collection of – very good I have to say – songs came about. I’ve got some previous with Ville, as you’ll learn. This is the first time we’ve spoken in, oooh, 17 years. Turns out he’s still as kind, funny and charming as I remember him. Dancing in the goth club, bumper to bumper, wait a minute… where’s my jumper?