Interview With Anette - Kerrang! Magazine

[sacrament_of_wilderness]

Get to know the new Nightwish frontwoman Anette Olzon

After a turbulent couple of years that saw Nightwish very publically sack singer Tarja Turunen, the symphonic metallers have returned to business as usual with their new frontwoman, Swedish native Anette Olzon.
Sitting infront of a mirror in a London photo studio, she's a calm presence, sipping from a bottle of water and laughing with her bandmates as if she's been with them from the start. Yet just a year agao she was a Swedish housewife going through the daily routine of taking her young son to school and earning a crust singing in a covers band, dreaming od the rock stardom that's about to become a reality.

When did you start singing?

I was really only a couple of years old. My mum has told me that I was this little kid that always made up her own songs. I always liked to talk and there was always something coming out of my mouth since I was very young. I always knew I was going to be a singer. I am this person that likes to show off. I like when I'm in the centre and I can talk to a lot of people.

What was your first band?

It was this cover band, Take Cover. Everyone loved it when we did this Eric Clapton song 'Wonderful Tonight'. The guys had to protect me, always, because there were these 40-year-old guys trying to pull your skirt and touch your legs. Yucky guys! And afterwards you always had to hide behind the guys in the band because they'd be screaming 'Show us your boobs!'. Really classy!

What songs were on your demo tape for Nightwish?

Only one song. I went to the studio with two of my friends to record 'Ever Dream'[Nightwish's 2002 single]. It was very nice singing it. Very challenging because it's high in the pitch, but it was kind of fun in the studio when I started singing it.


'I understand that it could be hell to fill Tarja's shoes...'


What was it about the band that made you want to join?

At first I didn't think about it that much. It was mainly when I met them and saw that they were really nice and down to earth and regular people, not like big stars full of themselves, because that's something I really hate. They were kind of goofing around, and we could talk quite easily the first time, even about serious things.

Do you think you'll avoid becoming a rock stat diva?

I really, really hope I will never, ever be like that. I would hate myself. And I hope that someone tells me if I turn out like that!

Are you worried that they might do the same to you are they did to Tarja?

No, I try not to think like that since we are different people, and the guys, maybe they have changed in some ways also, and maybe they have learned about what happens. You cannot think that it will happen to you. If you're going to a job and there has been someone else before you and they talk badly about this company, you need to try it by yourself because it's personal chemistry, and it depends on how we are, and we solve conflicts differently. So no, I didn't feel like that.

Are you nervous about filling her shoes infront of her fans?

It's a huge task, and I've thought about this a lot before I got the job, during the whole process. Because I saw the turbulence around it and understood it could be Hell. But I try not to think too much about that. We have a good feeling and they have chosen me, that must count for something.

How do you feel about the wilder side of touring?

We wull see what happens. I will learn, haha! I haven't been on tour with the guys so we'll see what they are like. If they're Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, we'll see! As long as there are not like 30 groupies on the bus, because I will throw them out.

Are you concerned about being away from home for so long?

It's not worrying me at all actually, because everyone will be just fine at home. I do worry if my son will hate me when he's 15, but I have been a kid whose mother has been singing and leaving me a lot. And my son is so proud if I go my own way. I just need to explain it when he's a bit older. He's six now.

What does he think of the band?

He loves it, he's totally wild if I play the album. He screams and runs around! He's started to play the drums now, he's got a little kit. He's going to be a rock star too!

What's been the weirdest thing to get used to so far?

The media in Finland. This was in the first days. They were outside my house, walking round and asking neighbours about me and my family. They were taking pictures of me and my car and my cat and putting it in the tabloids. They wre even putting out my address and directions how to get there! I really thought, 'What have I got myself into?'. After that I said in all the interviews that my personal life is private. They have respected it now. I was really angry.

How does it make you feel about the idea of being famous?

That's something that I need to deal with, but I really hope that I'll be able to walk the streets and be able to do the things I've always done.

[Elizabeth Evil]

Thanks for posting that! It ways a great read! I just can't get over how incredibly sweet and caring she is, honestly! well, the whole band really, but mainly Tuomas and Anette. Regardless of the idiots behind me waiting for autograghs repeatedly calling him "johnny" as in Johnny Depp. And Anette even asked if everyone waiting had got an autograph, which to me being so short and stuck behind insanely tall people she seemed like a blessing, haha!

[angelstorm]

Couldn't agree more! She's so different from Tarja... When I first saw her, I thought she will make a wonderful addition to the band.. And it turned out I was right
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I just wish the tide would catch me first and give me a death I always longed for...

[deathwish]

Yep, that's definitely true. She really seems very nice and open for others. I will never forget my "meeting" with Nightwish in Chorzow. After the interview with Tuomas I was waiting in the hotel reception 'cause I was in such a shock that I didn't know what to do with myself. Anyways, a couple of minutes later guys came down 'cause they were soon to leave for the gig. I went and asked them for some autographs and pictures and I got them and I must say they were really nice and calm and smiling and open. And then I saw tarja coming from a different part of the hotel with - guess who. There were some fans around her immediately, I was thinking - to go or not to go. I was literally AFRAID. Finally my friends kicked me and I went but she was SO cool when giving me this autograph that I didn't dare to ask for the picture.

I do understand that the band members can get tired of fans. We CAN be very tiring. But on the other hand they should also understand that it's also difficult for us to come and ask for a picture or an autograph. People don't usually come to strangers and don't ask them for things. When it comes to meeting our "idols" we gather the strength only because we know we may never see them again and a signature or a picture can be a very precious souvenir. So, yeah, it's like doubly-important that our "idols" are nice and patient...

Although sometimes fans seem not to have any tact at all.... And then I truly admire e.g. Tuomas' patience....
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No more praise, please tell me once my heart goes right...

[Oceansoul]

[deathwish]

[sacrament_of_wilderness]

yeah but in this case, they really didn't know any borders. i think they've learned some now though