rozhovor_2015-03-18_The_Gentle_Storm_en - HELLMAGAZINE

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ROZHOVORY

THE GENTLE STORM is a new musical project by singer and lyricist Anneke van Giersbergen and composer and musician Arjen Anthony Lucassen. Their debut album „The Diary“ will be released on 23rd March on InsideOut Music label. Here is short interview with Anneke Van Giersbergen about this project and her musician life.



HM : On the new album THE GENTLE STORM, you are cooperating together with Arjen Lucassen. What do you think makes this musician exceptional, and how do you perceive him on a personal level?
AvG : Arjen's music stands out because of his sence of melody. He captures atmosphere and emotion by this alone. I love that about his music and it is great to sing on it too. His music gives you space to sing and be creative.

HM : The album “The Diary” is a conceptual work. What story does it tell? Was it difficult to turn the story into the song lyrics?

AvG : The story is about 2 people in the Dutch Golden Age. The woman is at home in Amsterdam, the man is out at sea for 2,5 years. They write letters to each other. The 10 songs are the 10 letters from him and her. It's a story about love, longing, joy and pain, but also about daily life in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. I really liked writing lyrics this way, it's something I haven't done before. I learned a lot from it too.

HM : Why is the new album being released as a double CD, when the discs feature the same songs, merely in different versions?

AvG : We thought it would be great to approach these songs in two very different ways. While the emotion, lyrics and music were the same, it was a nice challenge to express them in a heavy, energetic, bombastic manner and in a more atmospheic, introvert way. The two albums are very different and until now, surprised a lot of people. It's not a heavy album with a sort of b-side like acoustic thing, they are both very powerful in their own way. I am truly proud of that.

HM : Why is this project not released under the name AYERON, but instead it received its own name GENTLE STORM?

AvG : Because it is a genuine duo-album between me and Arjen. We wrote it together and we wrote the story together so we conciously gave it a brand new name.

HM : Could you introduce all the musicians that were involved in the recording process?

AvG : Well, there are more than 20 musicians on the album haha! But a few of them will also join the live band. Johan van Stratum, the bassplayer, keyboardist and pianist Joost van den Broek and Ed Warby on drums. With them, and a few others we put together a fantastic band to take the album on the road!

HM : You are going to do one standard tour, and an acoustic one. Are you planning some special kind of performance with a bigger production? I don’t think you will be taking a choir or an orchestra with you on tour, or will you?

AvG : Haha, no choir indeed, but we are putting together a big live show which is going to be representing the Storm side of the album. A heavy show with TGS songs, but also with some Gathering, Devin Townsend and Ayreon classics. It’s the first time I will take a couple of stage platforms on the road with me, so the production is definitely bigger than everything I have done before.

HM : You have worked with many interesting musicians over the last years. Is there a particular musician you dream of working with, or possibly singing a duet?  

AvG : Oh yes, a few of my fave singers are on my wishlist! Like Mike Patton or Chino from DEFTONES. I would love to work with them one day!

HM : Towards the end of last year, there were two concerts of THE GATHERING that featured all former and current band members. What are your memories of these gigs, what emotions did they evoke in you?

AvG :  Yes, I loved doing that! It was so great to be together on stage with all Gathering members and celebrate 20 years of this wonderful band! I am very proud to have been a part of it for so long and we were so pleased so many people from all over the world came to both sold out shows to celebrate with us.

HM : What about your solo career? Are you planning anything new this year, or are you fully occupied by the projects GENTLE STORM and THE SIRENS?

AvG : I always have many ideas for a new album and I am working on something of course, but my main focus now is the release and tours for TGS.

HM : Which era in your career do you consider to be the most productive, and which time was on the contrary the least productive? What CD are you the most proud of, if any?

AvG : I can't remember nót being productive :-) I never have a writersblock or no ideas. My creative flow is rather constant. I am proud of many albums of course, but my faves would be How To Measure A Planet, Air and Epicloud. And of course, The Diary!

HM : Taking into consideration your busy schedule, do you take any special care of your vocal cords?
AvG : Actually the best thing for a vocalist is sleep and resting. Which is of course difficult when we are this busy. Though I try to rest and eat well, drink lots of water and herbal tea. It doesn't sound very rock and roll, but it keeps us singers healthy and productive :-)

HM : You are a person literally emitting lots of positive energy. What is the source of this energy for you, besides music and things related to it?

AvG : I truly believe in positivity like a religion. I think that if we would all see the bright side of any situation, we would love and respect eachother, the world would be a wonderful place. I try to express that in my music and in my performance as much as possible.

HM : When can we next see you in Slovakia?

AvG : I hope soon! We will play a lot of shows in 2015, hopefully we will come your way as well!

HM : Thanks for the interview. I am already looking forward to your new album.

AvG : Thank you!! Many greetings, Anneke.

Added: Martin Mayer
Added: 18.03.2015
Photo: Martin Mayer

  

 
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