OLLI

What was the moment or experience that first pushed you toward veganism?
Getting exposed to hardcore, the local scene in Lappeenranta, Finland, the H8000 scene in Belgium, and Earth Crisis. Especially EC’s in-your-face lyrics really made me understand what veganism is about.
Did your path into veganism come before or after getting into hardcore?
I was already familiar with hardcore bands, and had a vague idea about vegetarianism, but hadn’t really thought about veganism that much. So definitely hardcore pushed me in the right direction.
Was there a specific band, record, or scene influence that opened that door for you?
Yes, for sure. Earth Crisis: Destroy The Machines was the first record that introduced me to the term ”vegan straight edge”. I went vegetarian shortly after. Never been straight edge, and it took me a while to go vegan.
How did your friends, family, or local scene react when you made that shift?
Can’t remember anything too negative from the early years, but I don’t remember anyone being that supportive of my vegetarianism either.
Was it an immediate commitment, or something you grew into over time?
It took me some time to truly understand why veganism is important. I’ve been vegan for almost a decade now.

For you, how connected are veganism and straight edge—are they inseparable or distinct choices?
As a vegan who is not straight edge, I would say they are distinct choices. Straight edge, while surely having a positive influence on your social circle, is more of a personal choice. At least for me, veganism is the most important choice to make. It affects so many living beings and the future of this planet.
Do you see veganism as an extension of straight edge ethics, or its own independent stance?
They can be connected but they don’t have to be. I know straight edge people who aren’t vegan and vice versa.
How do you respond to people in the scene who embrace one but not the other?
My approach is live and let live. Every person can set a positive example by leading the life they live. Hopefully it influences the people around them.

What role did the hardcore/metal scene play in shaping your beliefs?
People with an outcast mentality probably get attracted to the hardcore/metal scenes more easily than others. I always felt like an outsider and being exposed to the local hardcore scene pretty much changed my life and identity - including understanding the importance of animal rights.
Do you feel like the scene today is more or less aligned with vegan values than when you started?
It goes in phases. In the late ‘90s there were many vegetarians, vegans and straight edge people in the Finnish scene. It’s way more popular now again than it was at the lowest point. Also, good to see the vegan bands doing their thing all around the world right now. Shout out to Times of Desperation, Destroy Babylon, and Gray State, just to name a few.

What kind of impact do you hope your band has on listeners?
I hope our lyrics encourage people to think about animal rights and humanity’s impact on the environment, and question the norm. For example, factory farming is such an inhumane practice that people need to be aware of it. Then it’s up to each person to think for themselves, if they want to support animal exploitation or not. Our lyrics make a clear point: ”choose compassion over hate - go vegan”.
Have you ever heard from someone who changed because of your music?
I heard people have started to reflect on their choices, which is great to hear. I hope our music has an influence. Getting exposed to this kind of music was a life changing event for many of us in Ecotage. I hope we can return that favor and have a positive impact on people’s lives.
Do you think music can genuinely shift people’s behavior, or just reinforce existing beliefs?
Hopefully both! Especially those who are doubting their current choices, I believe the music and the message can have a positive push on individuals’ behavior. That happened to me.
Do you see veganism as inherently political?
I haven’t thought about it. It must be, as it’s being opposed so much by the ones in power.
How do you balance music with direct action or activism, if at all?
For me, playing in this band is my main form of activism.

Looking back, would you approach your message differently?
The message of Ecotage? Definitely no. We all went through many bands before finding each other. This band gave us the platform to talk about these topics while playing heavy music.
What keeps you committed when it gets difficult or isolating?
We are lucky to have our worldwide animal rights people around us, connected by the internet. It helps to see that we are in this together.
Where do you see the vegan / straight edge movement going in the next decade?
Looking back at what it has been over nearly 40 years, I hope it stays the same in certain ways: spreading positive ideas to people and giving them strength to carry on. Where else it might go, remains to be seen.
What would you say to someone on the fence about embracing these ideas?
Think for yourself. Don’t care too much what others think, just do the thing that feels right to you. You can do it, whether it’s just trying a more plant-based diet or going fully vegan. Every action matters.

First band that made you think differently:
Earth Crisis.
A lyric you’ve written (or heard) that still hits hardest:
This made it really click for me:
”their lives reduced to biomachines in the factory, farm, and laboratory”
(Earth Crisis - New Ethic)
One misconception about vegan straight edge:
That if a person is vegan and/or straight edge you can draw conclusions about how they think or who they are. Every person is an individual.
One non-negotiable value:
Respect for other living beings.
One thing the scene needs to do better:
Life’s too short for cliques and gatekeeping. Just listen to what you actually like, not what you think you’re supposed to. Just enjoy music and life.