Stratovarius Community

The interview we did with Timo Tolkki has been published on BeyondEarCandy.com
Timo very generously gave us over an hour of his time and talked about many things, including future plans and tours. Hope you enjoy!

Photos of the show have now been processed and should be published shortly.

AMBR@BEC wrote:The interview we did with Timo Tolkki has been published on BeyondEarCandy.com
Timo very generously gave us over an hour of his time and talked about many things, including future plans and tours. Hope you enjoy!

Photos of the show have now been processed and should be published shortly.

You beat us to it!!! Just got done transcribing ours. Our recorder kinda sucks but we did it!!!
It was fun all sitting in on this together, thanks again! I'll let ya know when we get ours up...should be tomorrow or Wednesday

Very good interview.

damn! heh yes youbeat me to it as well. editing down an almost 2 hour interview into something readable / listenable takes a while


cool stuff.. .thanks for the link

Great interview! Very enjoyable&informational! It covered just about everything/thorough&complete!

RR? Regards Ritva? Ragnarok Rhapsody? Here I go guessing again! Its fun!
But, those comments about 40---tsk, tsk :shake: I am only speaking for myself, but I am 44&feel the same in EVERY way as I did at 24. Becoming 40 is definitely not the end of the world! Its a blessing really!

Anyway, it seems Statovarius has a great future ahead&its going to be fun to watch and be a part of it! :headbang:

Kudos for the interview! It revealed again some points.

Hmm, I´ve become thinking could the title be just "RR".

IceBreaker wrote:

Hmm, I´ve become thinking could the title be just "RR".

Possible. RR is short for Rest&Relaxation. Maybe that is what the album is--music to rest, and contemplate about life. Lots of StratoSongs are like that!
Like I said, I am going to keep guessing, there are just so many "R" words that exist-I have to hit it someday!!!

AMBR@BEC wrote:The interview we did with Timo Tolkki has been published on BeyondEarCandy.com
Timo very generously gave us over an hour of his time and talked about many things, including future plans and tours. Hope you enjoy!

Photos of the show have now been processed and should be published shortly.

Thank you for very good interview

AMBR@BEC wrote:The interview we did with Timo Tolkki has been published on BeyondEarCandy.com

Thank you for the good interview. He mostly answered all the questions I would have had for him if I had had the chance to ask him (are my verb tense correct? ).

Unfortunately, I sensed from this interview more than what was said. Since he wants to find another singer for his new project and since TK has his own too, it is obvious that eventually, Stratovarius will not remain their priority. I also sensed that TT has no more interest in communicating with his fans on the forum. He says he does not have the time anymore and we can easily guess why, but it is too bad. To my knowledge anyway, he was the only one that would take some time to speak with us. I guess, this will also disappear.

In Montreal, I could feel the very good energy between TT and Jörg and with Lauri because some times, he would look at them or play close to them, but I could not see that between the two T, like they used to do in previous shows. Even if he says that everything is ok between them, I always feel there is something going wrong. Since I only saw them twice, I am probably out of the track, but still...

Please tell me I am wrong.

Martine wrote:I also sensed that TT has no more interest in communicating with his fans on the forum.

I believe that was for this forum, since he hasn't qppeared on this forum for more than a year...I (want to) believe that he will keep visiting his forum...

stratobabius wrote:

Martine wrote:I also sensed that TT has no more interest in communicating with his fans on the forum.

I believe that was for this forum, since he hasn't qppeared on this forum for more than a year...I (want to) believe that he will keep visiting his forum...

TT still visits his forum--I see his name online sometimes, but not as much as he used to. However, considering all the projects he has going, plus he has a family&all the other things probably going on, TT just does not have the time to go on forums. When he does, he is on MySpace. And this forum has a bad history for him, I guess, so it just not interest him any longer&that is undestandable.

@Martine, I agree with you but I did not want to mention it.
Howver, it seems that the shows ar going very well&all the guys projects seem very interesting.
If TT announces a possible female singer(assumption from the interview) I hope the forum will resist posting a topic asking for suggestions!



*Kristin Lamb and Robin Wiper are great!

That's a mad long interview.

And a good and fun one too.

browneyedgirl wrote:

stratobabius wrote:

Martine wrote:I also sensed that TT has no more interest in communicating with his fans on the forum.

I believe that was for this forum, since he hasn't qppeared on this forum for more than a year...I (want to) believe that he will keep visiting his forum...

TT still visits his forum--I see his name online sometimes, but not as much as he used to. However, considering all the projects he has going, plus he has a family&all the other things probably going on, TT just does not have the time to go on forums. When he does, he is on MySpace. And this forum has a bad history for him, I guess, so it just not interest him any longer&that is undestandable.

@Martine, I agree with you but I did not want to mention it.
Howver, it seems that the shows ar going very well&all the guys projects seem very interesting.
If TT announces a possible female singer(assumption from the interview) I hope the forum will resist posting a topic asking for suggestions!



*Kristin Lamb and Robin Wiper are great!

I remembered something just now! The last time the Strato-guys where at Japan, the two Ts were at a show on TV(some crazy guitar string-changing contest) there and they were looking pretty much ok. Maybe its because they were in front of the camera, but then again,maybe not!

-skip-

Martine wrote: Unfortunately, I sensed from this interview more than what was said. Since he wants to find another singer for his new project and since TK has his own too, it is obvious that eventually, Stratovarius will not remain their priority. I also sensed that TT has no more interest in communicating with his fans on the forum. He says he does not have the time anymore and we can easily guess why, but it is too bad. To my knowledge anyway, he was the only one that would take some time to speak with us. I guess, this will also disappear.

In Montreal, I could feel the very good energy between TT and Jörg and with Lauri because some times, he would look at them or play close to them, but I could not see that between the two T, like they used to do in previous shows. Even if he says that everything is ok between them, I always feel there is something going wrong. Since I only saw them twice, I am probably out of the track, but still...

Please tell me I am wrong.

It is always a concern of mine when publishing an interview that some things will be misinterpreted, especially, as Timo said, when people have strong opinions. He appears to be a person with convictions who does not sugar-coat his opinions and his fans should be grateful for his honesty.

Please remember, when reading an interview, all you see are the words on the screen or page. You can not see the body language or hear the way the words are spoken, so some meaning can be lost or misinterpreted. It appeared quite clear to me that Timo T. wanted to experiment with a side project, not change anything in Stratovarius. He said more than once that it was a separate thing. Please do not over-speculate.

He also stressed the band chemistry was really great right now and that was evident on stage. Here is one photo of the two Timo's playing around on stage in New York. I didn't post it before because the lighting was not the best.

I used to avoid this forum due to the highly critical and argumentative nature often seen here, so it's no surprise if Timo decided to do the same. Recently, though, things have been much better! Let's try to keep it that way.

BTW, glad you are all enjoying the interview and taking the time to read the whole thing. There was more, but that is the most important things and the most any of us have the time to read/write.

If they can act like professionals, that's all that matters.

TT tries to keep in touch with his fans, and that's a great thing he does and I for one really appreicate it. So does Jens occasionally, and Koti every now and then. Lauri is also quite open on his myspace.... the one who seems a bit quiet is Jorg...

I used to avoid this forum due to the highly critical and argumentative nature often seen here, so it's no surprise if Timo decided to do the same. Recently, though, things have been much better! Let's try to keep it that way.

I agree, in fact many people here may not remember that I left this forum for over a year because many of my friends had been driven away by just these things! But once I saw them all starting to come back (granted, not as much as we all used to in the good old days, but still they have returned), I decided to come back too.

Since it seems that I started the whole argument, I wish to remind you that I said "Please tell me I am wrong". So you did. Thank you!

It is true though that emotions will not transpire from a transcript of a verbal interview and I am really happy that I went wrong.

AMBR@BEC wrote:I used to avoid this forum due to the highly critical and argumentative nature often seen here, so it's no surprise if Timo decided to do the same.

Maybe this was a bit "strong". I just gave my impressions (not even my opinion, lucky you!) but now I feel like I misbehaved. Is TT really not speaking to us for this reason? I prefer to believe that it is because he really does not have enough time . I have faith.

Anyway, please accept all my apologies for mis-interpreting the interview and thanks again for this last picture. It seems to be the only one to exist right now showing the two T's together.

Do not keep your pictures for yourself, share.

And please, you are all invited to become my friends on Myspace.com

I love you all!

Martine wrote:Since it seems that I started the whole argument, I wish to remind you that I said "Please tell me I am wrong". So you did. Thank you!

Maybe this was a bit "strong". I just gave my impressions (not even my opinion, lucky you!) but now I feel like I misbehaved. Is TT really not speaking to us for this reason? I prefer to believe that it is because he really does not have enough time . I have faith.

Anyway, please accept all my apologies for mis-interpreting the interview and thanks again for this last picture.

And please, you are all invited to become my friends on Myspace.com

I love you all!

No apologies needed! I wasn't scolding, just trying to explain, but maybe my words seemed strong. I'm just very pleased with the good feelings I perceived with the band (and in this forum!) and I hope everyone feels the same way.
I will add you onto MySpace. Cheers!

Great interview! Though I was a little surprised to hear Tolkki say that he "hates" the last album. I loved it, I gave it five stars at BEC!

But it's his music, so what the hell? I certainly don't blame the band for being sick of playing "Black Diamond" 5 million times either.

But, we love Black Diamond!

Seriously, I too was surprised that TT did not like the last album. I liked it--it wasn't Visions or Episode, but it was not meant to be. It had its own sound&niche. It was not a bad album at all!

@Martine, don't take it so hard, or feel bad. Getting an "impression" about something is not wrong. You are just a perceptive person. I thought something, too, but I was wrong, hopefully. Stratovarius is doing fine&will gift us with much more fine music in the years to come! And TTs forum is doing fine, too--not many people are posting but the topics are being viewed because the count goes up every day!

IceBreaker wrote:Kudos for the interview! It revealed again some points.

Hmm, I´ve become thinking could the title be just "RR".

Tähän väliin on pakkolaittaa tuo RR suomenkielellä eli Ruskea Reikä!!!
No nähdään taas Myspacessa...

Our interview with Mr. Tolkki is now up

http://www.metalfury.com/Interview-TimoTolkki.html

We all had a blast while conducting this...hope you enjoy!!!

RycheMaiden666 wrote:Our interview with Mr. Tolkki is now up

http://www.metalfury.com/Interview-TimoTolkki.html

We all had a blast while conducting this...hope you enjoy!!!

Good work too. Few questions were same as AMBR´s but it´s understandable coz you did it at the same time.

Sad that Strato has had some problems with their tour busses. The festival in Finland was RMJ in the midsummer. Their bus got broken somewhere 60 km from the town the festival was, but they managed to arrive there quite fast. I was there too and remember that Strato started 15 minutes late from the schedule. Anyway, I think it didn´t harm many ppl, they were the last act of the day and was starting around 2 am.

AMBR@BEC wrote:It appeared quite clear to me that Timo T. wanted to experiment with a side project, not change anything in Stratovarius. He said more than once that it was a separate thing. Please do not over-speculate.

Hey, great inteview there,AMBR@BEC. I think that it is very common for most musicians to do solo albums and side projects. It can help one to grow as a musician, and not have to worry about the confines or formulas of the main project.

On an interesting note, my friend Michelle was one of the vocalists that went down to Atlanta to meet with Tolkki for a couple of days. She's a great vocalist, formerly with symphonic prog rockers Glass Hammer, and she also did several shows in Germany this year with Rudy's Journey.

While Michelle was initially not familiar with Tolkki or Stratovarius, I nevertheless encouraged her to contact Tolkki to introduce herself and her material. Her second solo album "Marked for Madness" was mastered at Abbey Rd. Studios in London. After her initial meetings with TT, she described him as very polite and exceptionally intelligent, and definitely not what she expected from most "metal types" of people.

AMBR@BEC wrote:He also stressed the band chemistry was really great right now and that was evident on stage. I used to avoid this forum due to the highly critical and argumentative nature often seen here, so it's no surprise if Timo decided to do the same. Recently, though, things have been much better! Let's try to keep it that way. )

The most important thing to me, as far as those guys are concerned, is that TT has made a great deal of progress with his prior illness, and that he has repaired some very important interpersonal relationships with his friends. From my viewpoint, those events are much more significant than another album or tour, although it is good to see that they are back on the road now, and that a new album is coming next year.

But, we love Black Diamond!

Sure we do, but I'm trying to put myself in the band's shoes. It must be tiring at times for them. I'm sure there are some nights where they feel like, "let's do something totally different and play "Fourth Reich" tonight instead!"

StratoTimo wrote:

IceBreaker wrote:Kudos for the interview! It revealed again some points.

Hmm, I´ve become thinking could the title be just "RR".

Tähän väliin on pakkolaittaa tuo RR suomenkielellä eli Ruskea Reikä!!!
No nähdään taas Myspacessa...

So I mean that Ruskea Reikä is Brown Hole!!!
If You know what I mean

Martine wrote:

AMBR@BEC wrote:The interview we did with Timo Tolkki has been published on BeyondEarCandy.com

Thank you for the good interview. He mostly answered all the questions I would have had for him if I had had the chance to ask him (are my verb tense correct? ).

Unfortunately, I sensed from this interview more than what was said. Since he wants to find another singer for his new project and since TK has his own too, it is obvious that eventually, Stratovarius will not remain their priority. I also sensed that TT has no more interest in communicating with his fans on the forum. He says he does not have the time anymore and we can easily guess why, but it is too bad. To my knowledge anyway, he was the only one that would take some time to speak with us. I guess, this will also disappear.

In Montreal, I could feel the very good energy between TT and Jörg and with Lauri because some times, he would look at them or play close to them, but I could not see that between the two T, like they used to do in previous shows. Even if he says that everything is ok between them, I always feel there is something going wrong. Since I only saw them twice, I am probably out of the track, but still...

Please tell me I am wrong.

you're wrong.



well in the interview i did with him (i promise it will appear eventually!! hehe) he actually was saying a lot of positive things about the band, that they were all getting along, and that there is "a lot of laughter" and all that. i guess after such an upheaval there will be a resettling period, but he seemed optomistic and very thankful to be part of a band whose "fans are still there" and all that.

as far as solo projects go, i guess everybody needs to also do their own things, create outside of stratovarius. he said that whatever he wants to do, it will be a little later because he's doing the strato stuff... so until the band dissipates i guess it will still be some kind of priority.

iron_thunder wrote:

Martine wrote: In Montreal, I could feel the very good energy between TT and Jörg and with Lauri because some times, he would look at them or play close to them, but I could not see that between the two T, like they used to do in previous shows. Even if he says that everything is ok between them, I always feel there is something going wrong. Since I only saw them twice, I am probably out of the track, but still...

Please tell me I am wrong.

you're wrong.



well in the interview i did with him (i promise it will appear eventually!! hehe) he actually was saying a lot of positive things about the band, that they were all getting along, and that there is "a lot of laughter" and all that....

Well, I've been witness for a week of the guys behavior, and I can confirm they, TT and TK, are getting along pretty well, so you don't have anything to worry about. (And of course they're getting along pretty well with Lauri, Jörg and Jens too).

Rock On!

Dawn_is_Here wrote: Well, I've been witness for a week of the guys behavior, and I can confirm they, TT and TK, are getting along pretty well, so you don't have anything to worry about. (And of course they're getting along pretty well with Lauri, Jörg and Jens too). Rock On!

I may looked a bit uncomfortable with the situation, but the truth is, and I'm sure you figured out, I really don't want them to split, not before I reach 85 .

Thank you to each of those who made sure that I remain confident in their future together.

I love you all.