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© 2006 - present, Sabrina

translation by Karina

One hotel room in Berlin is like a dovecot. One journalist after another is coming in and out and if nobody is there, the phone rings. The interest in Tarja Turunen hasn’t sunken at all after her uncomfortable split from Nightwish. But still the singer is giving a relaxed impression – in comparison to the last phone call from Los Angeles. “I’m not as stressed as I was three weeks ago because I’m finally out of the studio”, the finnish woman cheers. “They are still working on the mix and mastering but my husband is there and I’m sure that my team will make it in time”.

Griefwork
As much as Tarja Turunen trusts her environment, as much she also trusts herself. While her ex-colleagues of Nightwish deal with the ugly split with songs like Bye Bye Beautiful on their new album Dark Passion Play, the darkhaired beauty is keeping away from public griefwork like this. Tracks like the first single “I walk alone” or “Our great divide” seem to be an obvious statement though. “No, none of these songs is referring to the split at all”, Tarja states clearly. “I have recorded My Winter Storm with my own personality and view of life only. I don’t care what others do, that’s their own business.”
The fact that there are mostly songs and lyrics on this album that Tarja hasn’t written herself but only influenced them more or less, shows that this is a true statement. Referring to her personality it shows that there is a dark and melancholy mood in all the songs on My Winter Storm. “This is really a part of my character” the finnish woman amazes. “I’m not a person who is happy all the time. On the other hand the album has a very positive aspect and I’m like that too. But concerning the meaning of "I walk alone" I just want to say that fortunately I never really had to wander the world all by myself”.

Circle of friends
For her new album, the singer could gain help from a big circle of old and new friends. Pianist Izumi Kawakatsu for instance, whom she knows since their common studies in germany. Other friendships evolved from the common work on My Winter Storm. After she was scrutinized by Hollywoods famous Soundtrack creator Hans Zimmer in person and got permission to use his own Remote Control Studios, the master of movie scores introduced her to his helpers. Arrangeur and chief technician James “jim” Dooley took over a big part of the choir and orchestra recordings. Daniel Presley, a relative of Elvis, was working as producer. The Mixing was done by Slamm Andrews who was responsible for the Simpsons movie. “It was an honour for me to work with these great people from Hollywood”, Tarja gets enthusiastic. “They seem to have enclosed me in their hearts so I hopefully can come back for my next album”. And who could resist the charming finnish woman for long?
But according to Tarja’s own opinion she has lost some of her charme after the long time in studios in Helsinki, Ireland, Ibiza and Los Angeles. “I am not fat but I’m completely out of shape”, the singer giggles. “I had to realize that there is no other life when you’re in the studio. When I was going to the hotel late at night, I went far away from the gym – with a bad conscience. Now I have to get in shape for the upcoming tour as soon as possible.” Her tour is supposed to start in Berlin on November 25th – a proof of appreciation for her especially loyal german fans. (Mr. Green) After that, she will tour around the world until next spring. But Tarja is already planning for the future: “As soon as I’m home I’ll start to write new songs. I definitely won’t rust”.

“My Winter Storm" in Tarja Turunen’s words:

Boy and the ghost:
“This song is an Overture. There are elements in it which will occur later in the album: Orchestra,choir, heavy guitars and ambient sounds. It is starting very slowly but then it is rising in little steps until it reaches an overwhelming finale. I feel a strange connection with the lyrics”

Poison
“This classic by Alice Cooper is still played on finnish radios very often. I have never heard it with a female singer but maybe there is already such a version. I found it really tempting to sing this “kinky” text form a female perspective. Besides that I like the song”.

My little Phoenix
“When this song was suggested to me, I immediately realized that it was different. The structur of it is really like a Waltz which rarely occurs in rock. It was quite difficult to explain my vision to the musicians and the producer but it worked in the end. Now everybody is thrilled by it.”

I walk alone
“When this song was suggested to me right in the beginning I took it enthusiastically. For it bases on a theme from Mozarts “Requiem” it matched perfectly to my identity and personality as a singer. After all I have a background of classical music. There are two versions of it.”

Oasis
“This is the only song on the album which I composed alone. The title refers to the picture I wanted to draw in a musical way. It’s about the feeling of freedom, happiness and peace – to the outside and inside. Although the lyrics were creaed in finnish I kept the english title.”

Calling grace
“Since the album is pretty dark on it’s way through different emotions, I wanted a relaxing interlude. An acoustic track seemed as a good choice to me. We composed Calling grace in the warm air on Ibiza during a spontanuous Jam-session.”

Damned and divine
“Damned and divine” also was created on Ibiza. I was listening to a demo and it totally captured me – usually it takes some time until I find a connection to a song. I added the vocal lines and had the lyrics changed a bit. It sounds dark and sad but still beautiful.”

The reign
At first, I saw that song as an atmospheric Intrumental, like a Soundtrack. But then we had the idea to use my voice like an instrument too. We created melodies with my voice. I love the cello played by Martin Tillman.”

Die alive
Once again the warm sunshine and the beautiful landscape in the studio in a seperated part of Ibiza were the inspiration. Still it is a fighting song. It’s about the fight for your life and wishes without the use of weapons. Stand up and do something!”

Lost northern star
I definitely wanted to have a heavy-song with a strong entry of my classical voice. As a “hommage” to Rammstein. The recording includes 74 tracks just with my vocals. It was a lot of fun but it also took a while until we were able to create interestin harmonies.”

Sing for me
“Sing for me was sent to me while we were recording in Ireland. I immediately fell in love with the song because it matches perfectly to my album with all it’s big chior and orchestra arrangements. Besides that I especially like the spooky mood and the wonderful melody”.

Ciaran’s well
“Only one song was composed in Ireland, a song we named after a holy spring that was near. In spirit of the beautiful days we spent there.It’s based on it’s strong guitar riffs which was created spontanously in a recording break.”

Minor heaven
“I have no exact answer to the question what that title means. I just liked the wonderful melody which immediately reminded me of songs from my classical concerts. That’s why I was glad that my old friend Izumi Kawakatsu accompanied me on the piano. In the end, orchestra and guitars are added.”

Our great divide
“I have sung some wonderful ballads during my carrier. When this melody was played to me, I finally found a song in which I can be entiraly free and natural with the music. It started as a lovesong but I can’t say that it will end as one anymore.”