Hawaii based, NAKED front-man CAMU has returned after an 8 year hiatus with the explosive new single and official music video, "Empire State of Sound." Self-directed, "Empire State of Sound" was shot on the street of New York City and pays homage to both the city and the Finland born artist's experiences.

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Camu: Vocals & Guitar, writes and produces the tunes.

Tikka: Drums

Zack: Guitar

Ilari: Bass

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Camu? How long has the band been around?

CAMU is a brand spanking new band with a 15 year long history. Our old band NAKED split up after 4 albums having concluded our second US tour. After 8 years of adventures that have taken me around the globe I decided to release music again and I asked if the guys wanted to play on my new stuff under the name CAMU. After a 8 year hiatus from releasing music, the first thing I will be releasing is a trilogy of songs & their corresponding videos (Empire State Of Sound being the first of the trilogy) that unfold the journey of my life throughout these last 8 years, musically & personally.

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

Naked is still my band & will be touring as my band when we do our summer tour in 2019, but this is pure Camu music the way I have always envisioned it. As the new music being released ventures further from the straight rock music we used to play back in the day, we will be releasing it under a new better fitting new name, CAMU.

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

I write all of the songs. I write music because I get what I call lightning bolts of song ideas that blast themselves into my head. If I don't record those Ideas I go nuts because they won't stop playing in my head, unless I record them, it has a profound impact on my life sometimes, I'll pretend to be in a conversation but I'll be digging the new tune in my mind haha. I am very happy I have the ability to write and arrange music. It's very cool.

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

I draw inspiration from everything around me. Usually the songs dictate themselves. Right now I am working on this trilogy and the inspiration for the songs are my experiences during the last 8 years. 

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

KISS when I was 4 years old.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …

I used to have a long order of things that I had to do before a show, now I do nothing and just enjoy the energy around me. I zone in on the event and I am grateful we get to play together.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

I have to say reactivating and starting to make music again has been somewhat of a miracle. With NAKED getting to play a sold out show in Tokyo back in the day was mind blowing and getting to tour in the US was amazing, especially for a young band from Finland.

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

I would love to play a few opening spots on the upcoming KISS tour so that my 4 year old son could get to hang with Gene Simmons. That would blow my mind, I also would think it would ridiculous to open for the Foo Fighters at one of their stadium shows for obvious reasons.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

If you read this far you should definitely check out the video for Empire State of sound, you'll enjoy it.