Former NIGHTWISH Singer ANETTE OLZON Wants To Meet TARJA TURUNEN

U.K. rock journalist Mark Taylor recently conducted an interview with former NIGHTWISH singer Anette Olzon. You can now listen to the chat using the SoundCloud player below. A couple of excerpts from the interview follow.

On whether she has had any contact with the other former NIGHTWISH singer, Tarja Turunen:

"We are on the same record label, and the only contact we've had was that I got her album... I asked the record label if I could have her new album since I do like her music a lot, and then I wrote on my blog that she made a really good album. And she thanked me on her Facebook, I think it was. So that was the first time we ever, you know, exchanged any blessings or greetings. But we haven't met personally. I am thinking, if I have the time, if I should go up and watch her show. She's coming to Gothenburg in May, I think. So if I'm at home and I have the time, maybe I'l ask if I could go and see her show, and maybe we could meet. I hope she would like to meet me; you never know what she thinks about me. But I think it would be a really nice thing to just say hello, you know. We have been singing in the same band and we have some history, so it would be nice. And she's done a really nice solo career, so maybe she has some good hints for me. [Laughs]"

On whether she will perform any NIGHTWISH songs when she tours with her solo project:

"No, I won't. For sure, I will not sing any NIGHTWISH songs. That is something I have decided. I've done that, you know. They have a new singer, Floor [Jansen], and I think she should do the songs now. And every era has its singer, and it's NIGHTWISH songs — they're not mine, even if I sang them for [five] years — it's Tuomas' [Holopainen, keyboards] songs and he owns them, so… I wish them good luck with the songs, and I will do my songs. [Laughs]"

Olzon's debut solo album, "Shine", will be released via earMUSIC, the Hamburg, Germany-based international rock label which is part of Edel Group, on the following dates:

Germany: March 28
France: March 31
Italy: April 1
Benelux: March 31
Poland: March 31
Czech Republic: March 31
Sweden: March 26
Finland: March 28
Norway: March 31
Denmark: March 31
Russia: March 28
Spain: March 28
UK: March 31
USA: April 8

"Shine", which was co-produced by Anette Olzon and Johan Kronlund, is a collaboration with some of the most successful teams in rock and pop in Scandinavia: Stefan Örn (songwriter and producer of the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest-winning track "Running Scared") and Johan Glössner. The album was mixed by Kronlund, Nicklas Flykt and Ronny Lahti (known for his work with Loreen and Roxette).

Olzon's "Lies" video from can be seen below. The clip was directed by Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company (DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE, KAMELOT).

Regarding the CD's musical direction, Anette said: "In the end, it is a rock album. Well, a pop rock album, maybe, or would you call it pop metal?"

Olzon announced in April 2011 that she decided to push back the tentative release date of her debut solo album to after NIGHTWISH had completed touring in support of its then-yet-to-be-released new studio album, "Imaginarium".

Olzon worked on material for her solo CD in 2009 with Swedish producers Stefan Örn and Johan Glössner. The album was slated to be co-produced by Swedish producer/songwriter Anders Bagge, who has previously worked with MADONNA, CELINE DION, JANET JACKSON and JESSICA SIMPSON, among others. He was also one of judges on the Swedish TV talent competition "Idol" and a producer of the TV series "Made in Sweden".

Olzon in 2009 hired a personal manager — the Swedish management company Hagenburg Management, which also represents EUROPE and THE CARDIGANS.

Olzon was fired from NIGHTWISH in September 2012 in the middle of the band's North American tour.

Interview (audio):

"Lies" video: