OKEJ

czarnycharakter

Her name is Anette. The new, Swedish singer of Nightwish. OKEJ met her in London and talked about music, scouts and Desperate Housewives.

When Nightwish-singer Tarja Turunen was kicked out of the band at the end of 2005, after a lot of turbulence, the search for a worthy successor immediately started. Something that turned out to be easier said than done. Tha band was showered with demos and more than 2000 applicants auditioned in hope for the metal-wonder. A year and a half later I sit in a hotelroom in northwest of London with the person who made it through all rounds and got the desirable job. Name: Anette Olzon. Country: Sweden.

Is it true that you barely had heard of Nightwish before you joined the band?
- I had heard of them but absolutely not since many years ago. And I certainly wasn’t a fan in any way.
So who was the first you called to tell that you got the job?
- My brother! He’s also a musician so I wanted to tell him. But he doesn’t like metal and har rock that much so he wasn’t any Nightwish fan either.
Do you feel that you’ve become a part of the gang now?
- It’s getting better and better. We’ve met quite a lot now, recently we went to Los Angeles to shoot the videos, then we bonded quite a lot.
So you haven’t had any learning-rituals?
- Haha! We’ve been drinking a little of course. But nothing like the stuff they have in the scouts where you’re supposed to blindfolded taste ketchup and things like that and then guess what it is.
So you were a part of the scouts?
- Yep. Always ready! But I can confess that I was there mostly because of the goodlooking guys.
Tarja was a very popular and good singer, don’t you get dread of perfoming of replacing her?
- I try not to think that way and keep away those thoughts. People don’t compare as much as you could believe, but they’re sensible and understand that we’re so different that it’s of no use.
What’s the biggest difference between you and Tarja?
- Of course we have very different voices. But else the music is the same so the usual ingredients haven’t changed and the other guys are left.
Has she called and congratulated you?
- No, not at all.
What artists inspire you?
- I grew up in a dance-orchestra family. My uncle liked “Vikingarna”! But I myself like the singers with the big voices, like Whitney and Faith Hill.
What does the new record feel like, do you think it’ll be as successful as Once?
- I’m satisfied with it so hopefully it can become that. At least I think so!
You have a son too, does he follow you on tours?
- No, he’s actually at home. But he’s really proud of me. He’s six years so he’s like coolest guy in school now because of this!
What does it feel like to become a star over the night?
- Some elements of it is chocking, but I’m getting into it. But it’s strange walking in Helsinki and people’s watching you. But to work as a singer is a dream for me, ever since I stood in front of the mirror singing Carola-songs. I really want to be on stage and in the studio. Yeah, everything!
I’ve heard you like Desperate Housewives!
- Oh yes! It’s my absolute favouriteseries that I really want to see. Nowadays I miss some episodes but I’m going to buy the DVD-boxes and have them in my shelf. I love all the characters, I like Bree the redhaired.Och Lynette and her children!
So who in the series reminds the most of you?
- Not Bree, she’s too neat. That darkhaired model…
Gabrielle?
- Yes! She is kind of charming and doesn’t think that much!
What is it like being in a band with four guys?
- It’s been like that in my earlier bands, so I’m used to it. But sometimes it gets to guy-ish when they’re drinking and checking out girls. But if I had become a part of band with only girls it would’ve been special too.
Has there been any Sweden-Finland competitions?
- It’s a little like that. They tease me for not being able to say “J” properly. I Sweden we say “Johan” and other names with the normal pronouncation of “J” so when we then say English names like John Lennon and Michael Jackson we say it in Swedish with a Swedish “J”. In Finland they say it the English way.

We asked Anette to tell her opinion of other singers:

Maja, The Sounds
I’ve only heard the songs that’ve been played on the radio. She has a different sound than I. But she’s so cool and have a good attitude. And she’s from Helsingborg too!
Rate: 4/5

Avril Lavigne
- Cool girl! But I find that video so horrible, when she’s going to take that boyfriend, I feel so sorry for the guy.
Rate: 5/5

Pink
- I think she has really good messages and the lyrics are good.
Rate: 5/5

Nelly Furtado
- Very good! I have her album. Her voice is really good, kind of porous.
Rate: 5/5

Amy Lee, Evanescence
- Really good! She has a special voice.
Rate: 5/5

Anette Olzon:
Age: 36
From: Katrineholm
Zodiac sign: Twin
Favourite movie: Braveheart
Preferably drinks: Carbonated water
Afraid of: Losing her voice
Current: With the album Dark Passion Play