If the music of Dawn Delayed was a movie, it would probably be a romantic thriller. This Helsinki-based four-piece rock band makes music that has a definite dramatic edge to it – at times it is even downright dark – but at the same time, it is somehow very warm and comforting.

The band was formed in late 2003 by singer/guitarist Jani Marjoniemi and has been making moody, emotionally fuelled rock music since. The basic line-up, consisting of Marjoniemi on vocals and guitar, Reko Aho on drums, Pekka Vanajas on bass has been together since 2003.

The band’s sound is influenced by the different musical tastes of the various band members, which the band thinks is one of their strengths. There are obvious influences that everybody spots are bands like The Smashing Pumpkins, U2 and The Cure, but there are also many, many other influences to be found.

The lyrics, penned by Marjoniemi, are intensely personal. “Some might say my lyrics are cheesy and pathetic”, he says. “But I think that in order to the lyrics to be universal, they have to be very personal as well. And let’s face it: basic human emotions just happen to be a bit pathetic. Even though the lyrics might seems dark, even slightly paranoid at times, the main focus is on the positive. At least that’s my take on it. You can take them as you like.”

The band has released two demos and one EP, called Young Hearts are Open, which was released in August 2007. Dawn Delayed is currently working on a follow-up EP, which will be released during early 2009. After that the band will begin working fulltime on their first full-length release.

• Reko Aho
• Pekka Vanajas
• Jani Marjoniemi