A lot of more updates from Pip yesterday: "It's been a full-on few days. Tuomas is delighted with score 11, the album closer- really pleased cos I'm proud of this one! An epic!" "I'm actually very pleased with all of them, but 11 is a bit of a fave. It will be huge!" "Yesterday I completed the part for solo Hardanger Fiddle on song 12. This will be played by Dermot Crehan (who played on Lord Of The Rings!)" "….and today, I finished song 13- the last score!! It's a strong single contender, with a great vocal from Floor!" "There still much work to be done. I need to listen through and check everything and meticulously plan the running order for the recordings." "MP3's and parts have to be sent to key musicians and soloists, so they can be well prepared!" "Need to liaise with the studio and engineer to ensure that nothing is left to chance. Some songs will need specific setups and soloist mics." "Full of excitement and anticipation for next week. Even after all these years, I still get butterflies before the first big session!" ------------------------
Hey, Floor! Thank you for agreeing to answer the questions from Russian fans, You are very popular here in Russia and we are looking forward to your next visit. You have recently moved from Holland to Finland, Tell please what are your impressions about the country? Is it easy to adapt to a new language, mentality and a new cuisine?Floor: I like Finland a lot! It’s a beautiful country with friendly people and an amazing nature that’s all around. I’m not a big city person and with all the traveling I do it’s great to come home to a calm place. That’s what I found in Finland. The language is high on the top 5 of most difficult languages in the world and I can tell you: it’s hard! But also a great challenge and healthy brain therapy ïŠ The food is different but there are many similarities to the Dutch food.You know, the Voice show has a great success in many countries. Tell, please, what is your attitude to these shows. Do you like the main concept of this type of competitions or you do you think that a true-musician must start in small stages, and after then to perform on TV? Could you participate?Floor: I think the word musician and the Voice should not be mentioned in one sentence. It’s entertainment without the soul of music. Singing without a clue of music industry or what it’s like to be a musician full time in the REAL world. So no, I don’t like it. It’s a false reflection of the truth. Of course there are good singers that get a bigger chance to show the world what they’ve got. But they have no clue how to stay a singer in the real world. They will be used and exploited until the next talent walks in. Tell me, in your opinion, is there an age limit for the musicians? Or do you think that it is possible to go on stage both in 16 and in 86? Floor: Music is borderless, ageless and has such power that, if done well, everyone is able to perform it!Last year you came to Russia with concerts. Tell me, what impressions do you have? Is there anything that is particularly memorable? Floor: I love it but it was a very double experience. The Russian fans were a big and welcome surprise! So warm and enthusiastic!!! The country is beautiful!!! But the organization was done so bad: we had a hard time to get the shows done, to eat, to travel. We even got kicked out of the venue when they opened for a disco…So I can’t wait to go back and have a 100% positive experience! The fans those nights proved that they were so awesome I have to ïŠ!In After Forever and Revamp we see you on a heavy side, and it's cool, but have you got an idea to release an album with light, lyrical compositions, such as it makes Liv Kristine in her own solo-albums?Floor: I have never heard this but no, not really.There are a lot of fans of your previous band After Forever. Tell, do you contact your ex-band members? Can we expect a reunion some day or it is a uniquely inverted page in your creativity?Floor: My focus and devotion lies on Nightwish for the coming years. Even ReVamp’s future is insecure because I don’t know if it will be possible to combine both bands. I would love to though! So there is absolutely no space for a relic from the past.During the last years you gave singing lessons. Tell, how do you feel yourself in a teacher’s role? Are you a strict teacher or are you indulgent to your students? Floor: I have been teaching over 10 years, so it’s not so new. I enjoy letting students feel how they can use their voice, when they overcome certain barriers or fears. I’m strict but fair, I can’t teach you how to sing if you don’t practice and work for it ïŠ But if you try I can help you and enjoy doing that.You participated in the various projects. But if you are invited to play the main role in the opera, would you agree? And what role would you choose? Have you ever dreamed about a career as an opera singer, or do you "breathe" only heavy music? Floor: During my studies to both Rockacademy as conservatory I realized I am not made for the theatre world. I wouldn’t fit into an opera setting. I never had the dream either but I love to combine worlds if possible.What's the most extreme thing you have ever done for the deal? Well, except learning songs of Nightwish in 24 hours in the airplane? Floor: Dedicate my entire life to music ïŠIf you have enough time to get another profession, what would you choose?Floor: Being a musician is not doing a job. You ARE a musician. So I can’t imagine doing anything else. I have hobbies and other interests but they could never be my ‘profession’. I have always loved horses and horseback riding and even tried to make my profession out of this before realizing music is not a choice but a calling ïŠ If anything it would be in that direction, but again. I am a musician and feel very happy and blessed I can be this fulltime!What are your feelings about the new album recording sessions? Are you satisfied with the material that you have recorded? Were there any tough songs for you to sing?Floor: It was the first time in my career that I sing on an entire album for a band I call my own without having written the music. Or the lyrics. A new challenge by itself. But the way Tuomas and Marko write I had no difficulties to get into to songs and tell their story with my interpretation. I felt great, superb even while recording. It went ‘easy’, the voice just opened up and all came out automatically thanks to the well written music and many rehearsals we did before recording it. Some parts were tough, I was definitely challenged by the material in many ways ïŠIn the beginning of this year you told that you had started learning Finnish. Did you manage to earn some progress in learning?Floor: I started last year in September, so a little over a year now and I am making progress. But slowly because of the complexity of this language. There are no words similar to any language I know, the grammar is crazily complex and the pronunciation is very foreign to my longue. But it’s great to notice I understand more and more every day and I can speak a bit more as well. Reading becomes better and with enough patience I will learn to master this language!In his last interview Troy answered the question about last Nightwish tour funniest moment and he told that it was in Australia when crocodile stole your pants. What can you say about the most memorable moment of the last tour?Floor: Well it was a crazy and scary moment of course! Big animal taking off with my pants! I was furious! It’s not like he would look any better in them than me….:-)Few days ago your backstage photo during photo shoot for Pretty Attitude appeared on facebook. Could you please tell more about this collaboration?Floor: My friend Andrea Beckers worked with them before and they asked her if I would be interested in some of their clothing. They sent me some of their clothes and jewelry and we did a photo session for them. These pictures are just made and not yet released. It was nice to do even though the style of the outfits isn’t really mine. Their quality however is great and I think many alternative girls will love their collection!!!Are you excited about the upcoming summer cruise shows? I saw a program and found it is really attractive and I can’t imagine how enjoyable will be to see it all live. How this idea to play concerts on board of the ship appeared?Floor: I am not sure who’s idea it was to do this with Nightwish as well but I’ve seen many other bands doing this very successfully (like Motorhead with their Motor Boat and the Swedish band Sabaton). It’s a great way to come a bit closer to the fans and to offer a unique show. I’m looking forward to this very much!You shared a stage with Tarja Turunen. Would you like to repeat this experience?Floor: She’s a wonderful singer and a sweet woman. Surely I would like to do this when there is a nice concert.And in the end, could you tell a few words your Russian fans?Floor: All I ever hear from other bands who toured Russia is that it’s absolutely wonderful! I noticed it myself while coming over for the two shows I did. I wish I would have come earlier in my career and can’t wait to come over with Nighwish. I want to thank everyone for believing in me even when I didn’t come over to Russia for shows and for supporting me throughout the years! I hope you will enjoy what I bring into Nightwish and that we’ll have some magical nights in the near future together!!! Spaziba!!!
"Orchestra for 8 songs successfully recorded yesterday. Amazing musicians and an absolutely fulfilling day. Onwards today with more!"
The recordings for the orchestra are already over and they'll soon start recording the percussions and the choirs!
"Today i experienced one of the most emotional moments ever as childrens choirs sang on top of the upcoming Nightwish album. What a wonderful moment!"
And now, the new Nightwish album has some weird and wonderful 'fanfret Cumbrian Bouzouki' in its Forcefield.
Yesterday I completed the part for solo Hardanger Fiddle on song 12. This will be played by Dermot Crehan (who played on Lord Of The Rings!)
"Ethnic percussion day at the studio with Nightwish was amazing!! From the left Paul Clarvis( man that Hans Zimmer uses a lot in his film scores),some random Finnish drummer, Pip Williams and Stephen Henderson( guy who played percussion on Star Wars empire strikes back, Joni Mitchell, Diana Ross, Kung Fu panda etc. What legends and what professionals i get to witness. Life is unexpected sometimes!"
Floor Jansen about this experience: "this was the first time I witnessed the recording of an orchestra and it was so enchanting! I was stunned by the professionalism of the players, the conductor, the studio engineers and by the amazing arrangements Pip made again. To hear it all come together is amazing, goosebumps all the way through!!!"
Well, the Nightwish London sessions were wrapped up yesterday, with every session finishing early! Recorded the children's choir on Sunday. 20 amazingly talented kids from Young Musicians London. Stunning ethnic percussion in the evening! Full on orchestral percussion on Monday, with the legendary Metro Voices choir bringing things to a conclusion last night. Totally drained! The songs are brilliant and so varied. Plenty of really heavy stuff as well as sensitive songs to demonstrate Floors great versatility! …and of course, a monumental closer to the album. There will be some real surprises for Nightwish fans and Troy's presence is mega!Lookie here: https://twitter.com/piptheprod
9.-12. 7. 2014 Masters of Rock Vizovice, Czech Republic. They will play 9, 10. or 12. july, headliner for saturday July 11 is Powerwolf and Nightwish are mentioned as an absolute headliner of the whole festival.
Anyway, the band has been confirmed at the Masters of Rock festival in the Czech Republic on July 12th, 2015.
"Still some Nightwish recordings to do before mixing. Now in Petrax Studio, Hollola, Finland. I also hang around this weekend there enjoying the company, Troy's magic and fantastic food and hospitality of the owners, Rappula family."
