FLOOR JANSEN Says Reaction To Her Joining NIGHTWISH Has Been Better Than She Could Have Dreamed

NIGHTWISH's British fan club The-Islanders.co.uk conducted an interview with the band's new touring singer, Floor Jansen, prior to the group's November 6 headlining concert at O2 Academy in Birmingham, England. The nine-minute chat, which includes questions that were submitted by fans, can be seen below. A couple of excerpts follow.

On what it felt like travelling to the U.S. on such short notice to join NIGHTWISH in the middle of their North American tour after the band abruptly parted ways with previous singer, Anette Olzon:

Floor: "I don't think I could feel anything else [but] pure excitement. It went so fast that I had no time to really realize what I was doing. And I was so focused on learning the lyrics that all I did was learn [the words]. I was [mouthing] along [to the lyrics on the plane] silently, but still pronouncing the words, because sometimes, especially the 'Imaginaerum' [material], [the words are being spit out so] fast, you need to have a taste — taste it [to get a feel for how it should be sung]."

On how it feels to be singing for NIGHTWISH after having toured with the guys in the past with her previous band, AFTER FOREVER:

Floor: "Well, in a way, nothing is different, because we all are the same [people]. But you do get to know each other on a different level really fast. And especially because the situation was so extraordinary, you really are kind of dependent on each other, and that creates a bond immediately. And also because things worked out really nicely from minute one, that was really special. And I was afraid, maybe there [would be] a language barrier or something, but since the guys speak English well, and I do too — they're used to speaking English also among each other — it was just really good."

On whether she was surprised how quickly NIGHTWISH fans embraced her:

Floor: "Yeah, I was. I know a few years ago how a lot of people had a hard time seeing [original NIGHTWISH singer] Tarja [Turunen] leave and welcoming Anette. I think [Anette] really had to fight for her spot. And I think maybe now it's different that again a singer changed — that might make things easier. And maybe because I've been around also the metal scene for the last 13 years… I don't know. Fortunately, I had no time to think to actually think of what to expect from fans, because, like I said, everything went so fast, but I couldn't have dreamed of so many positive reactions — so many warm welcomes. Everybody was, like, 'Wow. OK. We like her. She sings the songs well. She fits the band.' I've had so many compliments that it's [been] really, really good."

Jansen made her live debut as the frontwoman of NIGHTWISH on October 1 at Showbox Sodo in Seattle, Washington.

Olzon joined NIGHTWISH in 2007 as the replacement for Turunen, after the latter was fired in 2005.