"I'm really happy!"

Finland's operatic metal icon Tarja Turunen reveals the truth behind her solo career, the imminent musicians helping her out, the feelings to her former colleagues Nightwish, and the substance of her new album "My Winter Storm", due on November 19 via Universal Music Group...

Vassil Varbanov: Hello Tarja, how are you?

Tarja Turunen: I am very fine. Greetings from Finland!

V. V.: The idea to have you with us today is this long-awaited full-length solo debut of yours. Are you nervous?

T. T.: Nervous? That's the wrong word. I'm not nervous, but very anxious and enthusiastic about my new album. It was a long process and a lot of energy went there, so I'm very happy to have it in my hands finally.

V. V.: I believe it's been a tough period for you, having in mind your divorce with Nightwish some two year ago... Who was you best friend during this time?

T. T.: Oh, I've got many best friends, ha-ha! Of course I have a very warm-hearted family around me... As for here in Finland, it's a small town I live in and we have a very, very close friendship here - like ten people who've been involved in this project, walking hand in hand. Let's not forget the fans, too - one of the greatest things in my life is to see that there are so many people who really support me all over the world. They have been holding me awake, and I've never been gone, like one of my songs is telling.

V. V.: However, your song that we're playing on the radio is called "I Walk Alone"...

T. T.: For me "I Walk Alone" has a more poetical meaning. It seems like a strong title, saying that now I'm walking alone after a long period with Nightwish, but that's not true, as I've never been walking alone. The thing is that song was not written by me, but by two Swedish guys last year. They had this Mozart Requiem inside the song, and that was the main reason why I chose to have it on my album - a rock orientated song with a classical background. It fir perfectly. I've never been afraid to combine different music styles - that's what I am the strongest in. That's the thing I do the best so far... And "I Walk Alone" is the song that gave me the title for my album.

V. V.: You're really strong in combining different styles, but there's one thing I'm sure you'll never do - you'll never sing a punk rock song!

T. T.: Oh, ha-ha, why not? Are you saying I’m not capable of, ha-ha-ha?

V. V.: You tell me.

T. T.: Well, if somebody would ask me whether I'd like to sing a punk rock song, I'd rather say no, but when talking about music in general you should never say no. That's the wonderful thing in music - it's a universal language.

V. V.: Mentioning the word universal - now you're working globally with Universal Music Group, but you also had this appearance on the 20 Years Nuclear Blast anniversary compilation. Do you still have friends there?

T. T.: I believe so, and that was the reason for me wanting to be part of this compilation. Even though the collaboration between me and Nuclear Blast was pretty short - just for "Once" with Nightwish - I wanted to be part of this album, because I've always felt that the people there are very warm-hearted. One of the guys even met me at an airport a couple of weeks ago and ran and hugged me... They're really nice people.

V. V.: The biggest Nuclear Blast title these days is the new Nightwish album. A few weeks ago their new vocalist, Anette Olzon, said about you that you're a great singer. What do you think of her?

T. T.: Many people have been asking me about this. I've heard only a couple of Nightwish's new songs so far, but when I came back to Finland two days ago, I received the new Nightwish CD sent by the record company and I'm anxious to play it. As for Anette, I think I shouldn't give a public opinion on her voice and personality. I wish her all the best from the bottom of my heart, and I really hope the band is happy now.

V. V.: What about you? Are you happy?

T. T.: I'm very happy. Thank you for asking. I'm really happy.

V. V.: At the end of the day, you can pass through lots of success and not be happy, so I think the big question for any human being is: Are you happy?

T. T.: Exactly. I have understood the importance of that - you put it in the right words. It should be like that in life. My album is also talking a lot about that. I've been asking myself every day if I'm happy or not, and I can tell you - I'm really happy!

V. V.: Recently you revealed the line-up of your touring band - Toni Turunen (vocals, guitars, electronic drums and keyboards), drummer Mike Terrana (Axel Rudi Pell, ex-Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Rage, Metalium), guitarist Alex Scholpp (Farmer Boys), bass player Doug Wimbish (Living Colour), keyboarder Maria Ilmoniemi and cellists Max Lilja (ex-Apocalyptica) and Markus Hohti. Especially Doug is coming from a quite different background, so how did you fit together?

T. T.: It has been amazing for me to see all these musicians working with me, as they all have different backgrounds, and how we can work as a team. I knew that the album I'm having in my hands now is not one that can be put in a particular category, so I wanted to have musicians that could handle not just one style of playing, but have an open-minded view. This was a thing that worked so well in the album, in all these 14 songs, so I'm sure that Doug, Alex, Max Lilja, Mike Terrana, Maria Ilmoniemi and Markus Hohti are very open-minded people, although having different backgrounds. We are working really great as a team.

V. V.: What about Toni Turunen? Is this your brother?

T. T.: Yes.

V. V.: How many brothers and sisters do you have?

T. T.: I have two brothers - and elder and a younger one, Toni. He's 25 years old.

V. V.: Well, thank you very much!

T. T.: Thank you! Bye bye!

Copyright: Tangra Mega Rock