Winter Storm Belgium & Nederland

Interview Tarja Turunen

1. Hey, it is the beginning of the Harus tour. How were the first shows?

The first shows have been a success and went really well. The churches have been full and people have seemed to be happy with what they’ve heard. I was practising quite a lot for these concerts on my own, but it is a tradition with Harus that we rehearsed just two hours together before the first show.

2. Why did you decide to consider Harus as a full project just now, while you have been doing it for quite some time?

Mainly because we decided to release a live DVD this year from a concert that was filmed and recorded in 2009 we needed to have a proper name to present the project. And we have plans to continue with this ensemble in the future too.

3. Harus has a different audience than the average rock concert. Do you want to try to bring the metalfans to your classical shows as well?

I am not trying to convince anybody. I am doing what I love in music. If someone likes what I do, is attending to my concerts. Whether that is in a church, concert hall, rock club or arenas. I love to see that my audience is very broad.

4. Can we expect something special during the last WLB tour? For instance, some new songs?

The Final Tour will include songs from MWS that we haven’t played in a while and of course songs from WLB. At least one song from my previous band that I haven’t played since many years. We will also try during the rehearsals two brand new songs to be presented during the tour. Let’s see what happens ;)

5. Can you tell us more about your upcoming rock album?

I do not like to repeat, and I like that my albums do not age. Creating each album, I hope he takes his own place. At the moment there are a lot of songs written and although these songs are still a demo, all of my circle of those who heard them, it is easy to agree that with each new song is visible progress compared to my previous albums.

6. Will there be more special shows, like Beauty and The Beat?

This idea was mine and Uncle Mike (Mike Terrana), we wanted to do a concert with chorus and orchestra, calling it "Beauty and The Beat". In fact, it was a dream of Mike, since he recorded his solo classic album, he wanted to make not only a concert with a real symphony orchestra, but to go with a tour of this program. So when I suggested this idea, he agreed almost immediately. We are currently working on a similar program, which in 2013 will go on tour.

7. You also have a lot of quiet, calmer songs. Have you never considered the idea of doing a complete acoustic tour? Or to see it even bigger, another metal opera?

No, I haven’t considered it. When artists are running out of ideas is normal to see them playing acoustic shows and doing cover albums. I am still not there :)

8. Will your new project, Outlanders, become as serious as Harus?

"Outlanders" is my project with Torsten Stenzel and the song called "Outlanders" is the first song I wrote for this duo. I have wanted to explore electronic music since I collaborated with Schiller few years ago, as that world seemed very inspiring to me. For Outlanders I want to use my voice as one of the instruments, not necessarily like a lead singer in the rock songs. I would love to make concerts with Outlanders one day with Torsten and Walter Giardino. Whenever we will have enough songs ready :)

I got in touch with author Paulo Coelho through his publisher from who I requested his permission to use his texts for my song. Later on the Finnish publishers of Paulo Coelho contacted me, as they wanted me to take part in their important Paulo Coelho event in Helsinki. I decided to present this song there. I have read all the books from Paulo and he has been the biggest inspiration for me in writing my lyrics.

9. What was the last metal CD you bought?

The Lost Children from Disturbed.

10. Harus, a huge WLB Final Tour of What Lies Beneath, a new Rock album, ... Do you never feel like you need a long rest ( not that we want you to).

Sometimes yes. I also have my limits like everyone does. On the other hand I enjoy my art that much that it keeps me happy and healthy. Actually I am at the moment working in 5 more projects that you didn’t mention!

11. You're back in Finland now. How do you feel about that?

I am happy that it is not that cold here as I expected. Now the sun is shining which feels more like a miracle. Anyway, it is really tough to cope with the darkness. It gets dark already at 15:00 in the afternoon and it’s only getting worse. I am on tour so the time is passing by quickly. It’s lovely to see Finnish people and hear their feedback from my concerts.

12. There are a lot of moose signs in Finland. What do you think about them?

I love driving a car in general and in Finland you should pay attention to those moose signs because they can save your life. It is a common accident to get hit by a moose.