A few months ago, the label Kalma Records published Moon Dust's first EP: an interesting compilation of experimental themes grouped under the title Third Eye Open. Petri Kiviniemi, the sculptor of sounds behind Moon Dust, talks about his early years, his way of making music and the relations between sculpture and music.

Who is Petri Kiviniemi? And why did you chose Moon Dust as your artistic name?

I have been working as a sculptor and staff in an Art school. I always liked all kind of music, first I played electric drums, then synths, then I started recording... My first track was 'Solar'... then 'Giant', which I sent to Soundcloud. The first comment was: who are you and where are you coming from? And now I have done music for myself and other great artist; these collaborations with other artist give me more than playing alone, there are really great artist in Soundcloud. I thought about my artistic name, and I read an article about how bad moon dust was for astronauts when they landed on the Moon. Dust is everywhere... and the Moon has its dark side, too... so it just fitted perfectly my artistic name.

Moon Dust is a one man project. But you have also collaborated with other musicians. How was the experience? 

I have collabs with vocalists and musicians from Thailand, USA, Russia, Sweden, England, Egypt... I love them all, they give so much to me :) 

Third Eye Open is your first EP. Is it just a compilation of themes, or is there a narrative thread within the EP?

Dab Maia, from Kalma Records, chose the tracks for my first Ep. I think he did good choices. 

You have worked as sculptor for twenty years. Did you find any points in common between sculptures and music? How different (or similar) is it to create a sculpture or a piece of music?

Yes, is strange how similar sculpting and making music are. First I do the skeleton, then I add materials; you can do that minimalist or whatever you want. It is all in your head: I see (hear) the themes finished before I start to make them, and it is the same with sculptures: you have to see a destination, both in sculpting and music.

What do you think about the Finnish electronic music scene?

I think I am an outsider from Finnish musical scene... a man from the moon.

Which are your musical influences?

I like all kind of music: classical, country, rock, jazz... but most of all electronic music. 

What kind of gear do you use to create your sounds?

I use a Korg R3, an Arturia Microbrute, the Korg Monotribe and Electribes, the Roland TD9 electronic drums... I always record with a Roland 2480CD, which is vintage stuff. I added voices to some of my intrumentals, with my computer using free software.

Have you ever played your music live? How do you imagine the perfect Moon Dust concert?

I always play live all my themes, but only one track at a time. There are normally 10-18 tracks per theme. If there is something wrong, I record again. The track 'Architecture of mind' had a very hard bass, so I recorded that about ten times... If I were ever to play anywhere, I would need a lot of electronic musical instruments of all kind.

Which are your plans for the future? Are you already working on new music?

I always love to do new music. I learn every day something new and that keeps me going... I hope there are new great collabs coming, too.