Loud! Magazine, September 2007

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Loud! Magazine, September 2007

DARK PASSION by José Carlos Santos

After a succession of episodes, speculation, rumours and expectations worthier of a doubtful soap opera than a metal band, NIGHTWISH are finally introducing their first record of the after-Tarja Turunen era, “Dark Passion Play”. Revitalized, motivated, dying to prove they’re still the real Nightwish, and armed with a rocker to replace the lyrical singer, the Finns promise to make people talk in the near future. We got together with the keyboard player and main composer, Tuomas Holopainen, and the new vocal beauty, Swedish Anette Olzon, for a chat about the decisive moment the band is currently living.

You’re both surely excited and confident in the new Nightwish album, “Dark Passion Play”... However, your perspectives are probably different. How are you feeling now that the album is finally about to be released?

Tuomas: To me it’s essentially a relief, as you can imagine. “Finally” really is the right word, after ten months in the studio, an endless story that everyone already knows; right now I’m just happy that the album is finished in every aspect. Despite all the excitement, I can also say that I haven’t been able to listen to it for a few weeks. I was “married” to these thirteen songs for over two years and now I need a little more time until I can face them normally and hear and play them. It’s also a relief in the sense that we don’t have anything to hide anymore, neither the songs nor Anette, we can go back to the old band routine, which I and the others missed so much.

Anette: To me it’s also a relief, in a different way, obviously, but because of what Tuomas said – we don’t have anything to hide anymore. That was the hardest part of the whole process. Other than that, I’m just really excited with the album and anxious to hear the opinions of Nightwish fans.

Why all this secrecy, especially regarding Anette’s identity, which clearly caused so much anguish?

Tuomas: It was the only way for Anette to be treated fairly by everyone – especially by the media.

The media can be tough sometimes, huh?

Tuomas: I had no clue how tough they could be. Personally, I’d never felt that much pressure in dealing with them, they’ve always accepted us and it was a natural thing, so I’m not used to this sort of thing that happened with us. I don’t feel like a “rock star”, but after two years of rumours and nasty things I can say that I’m vaccinated against this plague. The secrecy thing... A lot of people think we did it to generate expectation, anxiety in the fans, publicity and so on, but it was the exact opposite. When we made the final decision about the singer, we had no material ready, and we wanted to announce her identity only when there was something to listen to as well... Otherwise, for four months she’d be judged for everything except her musical abilities, which is all that really matters. That was why, during those four months it took until we had something “ready” enough to be heard, we felt the need to keep what we were doing an absolute secret.

Anette: And it really was an absolute secret. We couldn’t be seen together, we had to sneak out everywhere. I only told my closest family and my best friend, I didn’t even tell my son I was working with Nightwish. Since he is a small child, we were afraid he wouldn’t be able to keep it a secret. It was only around the middle of that time that I finally told him and he did very good, I kept the secret until the end.

Speaking of your son, how has he been facing this somewhat radical and intense change in your life?

Anette: He’s been reacting surprisingly well to the whole thing. Of course, sometimes he gets a little sad because he knows that in no time there’ll be times when mom won’t be home, but – generally – I think he’s very excited and proud of me. And he’s already a big Nightwish fan. [laughs]

Now that you’re both here, it’s the perfect time to know about Anette’s application, from both sides of the “barricade”...

Tuomas: As everyone knows, we had an open audition and received over 2000 applications from 55 different countries. It wasn’t easy at all to listen carefully to all those recordings, but it was something that had to be done, and, with patience, we did it. We eventually narrowed it down to 50 promising applicants, whom we asked to send us a CD with some more songs. From those, we personally met the ten candidates we liked best.

None of those was Sarah Brightman...

Tuomas: No, no... [laughs] But I can tell you I laughed a lot with that Terrorizer April fool’s joke, Brightwish... I really loved it! Anyway... out of those ten finalists we ended up picking Anette, but only after a while. Most of all, it was the characteristics of her way of singing that captivated us from the beginning. Her voice wasn’t the most unique, but it’s a warm and natural voice – and it comes out of her in an extremely easy way, which was important in our decision. Other than that, the chemistry between her and the band was also very important... Anette is an open, fun and intelligent person;bery intelligent and with a huge sense of humour, which she’ll need because we realized she’ll have to put up with a lot of less than pleasant things.

Anette: Honestly, I applied without giving it much thought. A friend told me to try and my first reaction was to say no, because I don’t have that classical voice. But it stuck to my mind and I ended up doing it. When Tuomas replied I was very happy, I thought that could be a wonderful opportunity. But then I waited and heard nothing from them. I emailed him just to know how things were going and he said I wouldn’t be picked. I suspected right away that it had to do with my age or my son – and I learned later on that it really was because of my son. The main thing is that I’m very stubborn and I kept thinking about it time and again. Initially, I had no expectations, but from the moment when I learned that they’d liked me and I’d been selected out of a little group of candidates, the idea was stuck in my brain for good. My insisting made them realize that my family situation wouldn’t be a problem at all, and I ended up being picked – which, at that time, I really wanted. Now, this whole thing took a year and a half, I had to face a long wait. A lot of times I was sure I wouldn’t be the one, so it was very exciting when they told me about their decision.

Despite your musical background, you never did anything like this or of this magnitude – or metal, isn’t that right?

Anette: I’m been leading a relatively normal life. I was born and raised in a musical family and I don’t remember ever not singing. Very early on I started going to competitions for young talents, to gain some stage experience, and I’ve been in a few bands over the years. I’ve been using my voice both as a hobby and professionally, in the studio. I was never really into metal, I was always more of a rocker. [laughs] Even Nightwish... I only started listening to them properly a few months before applying, when they were more famous.

Do you notice a big difference in your daily life?

Anette: Well, I already notice a few considerable differences – absolutely. All of a sudden, I’m a public figure... People recognize me on the street – at least here in Finland – but they still don’t approach me often, especially when I’m alone. I never wear make-up when I’m just walking on the street, so people don’t really know if it’s me or not. [laughs] When I’m with someone from the band it’s more frequent for people to approach me and say something, but that’s something normal I was expecting and it’s okay.

How has your integration in the band been so far? Has there been any negative outside reaction?

Anette: Nothing too rude so far, most people have been really nice. Of course there are people that most of all make me sad, because of the things they say, but those are mainly things that show up on the internet. I know that most of these comments are made by adolescents that have nothing else to do and I try to laugh about it, but when I get emails where they say they’re going to kill me... I mean, it’s one of those things that isn’t funny anymore. I think people should think about that a little. I assume from the start that people aren’t going to like me in this position, so it’ss always good to see positive reactions. This week I got a letter from a girl who also applied, with a fantastic message of support. That’s one of the reactions that really moved me, and I’m going to write her back as soon as possible because she really deserves a special thanks.

Tuomas: People are really having a healthy approach to the situation, pretty positive and corteous towards Anette, which is good. What I usually say is, if you want to be rude and insult someone – insult us. What happened isn’t her fault at all, we’re the ones who wanted to change singers and we’re the ones who picked her – if you don’t like it, your problem is with us, not with her.

And how did the recordings go? Was it easy to work with a new element in such a particular position as the singer is?

Tuomas: It was easier and nicer, because it was the first time we were all together with Anette in the studio. However, all the songs were written and all the instrumental parts recorded when she started working with us. We imagined a female voice when we wrote and she fit perfectly in what we had imagined. I’m just excited about the next album, the new ideas that she may bring as part of the band from the very beginning of the whole composition process.

Anette: It was very good and very relaxing, without any kind of stress. We were hidden in a studio in the middle of the forest and snow, I’d love to go back there to record; that place gives you a sense of calm and piece of mind that can’t be matched.

Do you think the vocal differences between Anette and Tarja make the band sound that different from the way it used to sound?

Tuomas: Some people say this is something completely new, but I don’t see it that way. To me it’s a perfectly natural follow-up to what we already did. The arrangements and most of the vocal lines are in the same wave of what we did so far, only they’re interpreted in a different style. The operatic interpretation has disappeared and I like that, because it represents a change that I see as very healthy. Some people have also complained that it’s very poppish, but I think this is the heaviest and darkest album we’ve ever done. The bombastic component is just an evolution and I think that would happen one way or another.

What about the old songs? Is the transition to your voice going well?

Anette: Actually, we spent the last two days rehearsing them and it’s been going really well. The voice will be “there”, don’t worry. [laughs] The songs have a rockier feel, of course, but I really like them this way. I’m not worried about people’s reactions as long as the band likes the result. If they’re satisfied, I don’t care about anything else – honestly. I’m a perfectionist too and I’m not satisfied until I know I’ve done my best. To me it’s most of all a pride an honour to sing these songs.

Do you have any favorites on the album? Is any of them the single?

Tuomas: Answering that question is like picking children and that... The truth is everyone has a favourite child, even if they never admit it. [laughs] I really like the first and last songs on the album, “The Poet And The Pendulum” and “Meadows Of Heaven”. About the single... Well, I admit I hate choosing singles. It’s stunt that puts in a higher platform than the others a song that doesn’t at all represent the album. It must only be something catchy and with the proper running time to be played on the radio... Otherwise it being a single really makes no sense.

Anette: In terms of interpretation, the album is full of bits that are really fun to sing. But if I really have to choose, I’ll say “Sahara” because of the ethnic component, which was a great challenge and really, really gratifying. I would also pick “Eva” above any other... It’s a very sensitive song and I feel a very personla connection when I sing it.

Lastly, will we be able to see the result of all this two-year-long work on a Portuguese stage?

Tuomas: Yes sir. There’ll be two concerts in Portugal in April of 2008. We’re still planning stage show, but it’ll be something huge, with lots of lights, pyrotechnics, water... Obviously some places may limit the show, but – anyway – it’ll surely be something visually impressive. So I hope to see you all in April.

Anette: I won’t headbang because I’m an old lady... [laughs] But you can count on a great show from our part. I’d like to see those shows sold out, to show me that you support me in this new job. See you in April!