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biography / portrait

Well, Lodger was formed in the latter part of 2002 around singer/songwriter Teemu Merilä’s music. He wanted to record a three song demo (including ‘Doorsteps’) basically for his own amusement and Jyri Riikonen, one of the most wanted young producers in Finland, who was hired to produce and record the demo, spotted the unique talent and well – rest is history. Sort of…. Only weeks after Hannes Häyhä the band’s lyricist and one of Europe’s most controversial movie animators joined forces to play bass, Antti Laari took over the drums and London-based Richard Anderson picked up guitar – Lodger was born. Being very productive as Teemu can be, already during summer 2003 band felt ready to record their self-financed debut album Hi-Fi High Lights Down Low. Recording took place on a deserted island outside of Helsinki – quite obviously, lots of beer was consumed –the productive spirit was kept high all month – combining a break from daily routines and their love for music – started showing off. Soon after the end of the recording sessions a video of Doorsteps was produced under Hannes’ discreet direction. The video won Finland’s biggest music video contest was also invited to be viewed at BAF awards in the UK where it gained the best flash animation title. In the beginning of 2004 Richard returned to London and was replaced by a talented guitarist Panu Riikonen who apparently is an old friend of the guys from their school days. ‘In March Hi-fi…was distributed as a promo to key media in Finland to get “official feedback” Not surprisingly the reactions from critics both in press and radio were flattering. Hannes directed a new animated video ‘I Love Death’ which got included in various international film festivals and caused an explosion at the band’s website – only within a period of 3 months the site attracted over 2 million unique visitors around the world. Sex, drugs and violence seem to be what punters need these days…. at least in an animation. (Source: www.myspace.com/lodger)