Interview By Eetu "Ene" Niskanen

We have contacted Suvi Virtanen, Echoterra's (ex) singer.

Just to note that Suvi, so very sorry for her but we hope the best for her career, is no more part of Echoterra for touring problems (for more news check here).

Her substitute is Melissa Koch Ferlaak (check her latest interview with our editor Erwin here).

In the meantime just enjoy this interesting interview with Suvi talking about Echoterra latest release "The Law Of One" (read here the review).

Hey Suvi and thanks for accepting our interview!

You are very welcome! I'm happy to do the interview for Femme Metal Webzine.

Your album ''The Law of One'' was released on 15.9.2009, how much work did it take to get it completed and released?

I recorded the songs 3 times. First at my home studio during the winter/spring 2008/2009, but Yan and Jonah had a different idea how the vocals should sound, I think Jonah had the vision clear from the beginning.
So, I went to the USA to record and to be produced by them. The first week I recorded the songs with Yan but when Jonah came along the second week to work with us, we re-recorded everything! He knew exactly what he was doing when producing my vocals. This was our first recording together, so it took more time than I thought, but it is always a process to find the right way you work together.

How would you describe your music with Echoterra?

I think the combination of my voice and this symphonic music fits together very well and takes the listener to imaginative places. The music itself is like a journey to unknown worlds.

How did you end up as the vocalist to Echoterra?

I was recommended by guitarist Bill Hudson. I met Bill in Brazil while I was touring there with Therion.
We talked and always kept in touch. He always thought that I should find a band/project to make myself heard. I got an email from Yan before Christmas 2008 and he asked if I could do this album. I listened through the material and said yes.

How would you describe your voice?

It is different from many others I suppose. I started as a metal/rock-singer in the 90´s but when I started working with Therion, I started changing the technique, I took some classical lessons while also trying to find my own style as I didn't want to be too schooled. I think my voice is "emotional" and it has different levels, meaning I can change it when needed.

Have you had any vocal training?

I have had few teachers over the years, taking 5-10 lessons from each of them. Most of the work I did myself.
I´ve been recording my singing a while now, it gives you a good oversight about what you're able to do and what you can do better.

Could you tell us something about your bandmates?

I only worked with Jonah and Yan from Echoterra. They don't get along so well when they're working together, 'cause they always seem to have different opinions and both of them want to win, but it went well, I suppose me being there and we having the deadline made them co-operate. It'll all turned out well!!

What kind of music do you listen yourself and how often?

I have to be introduced to new music because I seem to prefer old music. I listen to Black Sabbath, Dio (early years), Heart,all good 80´metal basically, but even early Chris Cornell, Nightwish (with Tarja), but most of the time I listen to demos I work with.  I have a fulltime job so most of my freetime goes to recording, listening, writing new material. I wish I had more time to find new music.

Who are your biggest influences?

Ronnie James Dio, Ann Wilson, Tarja Turunen, Sarah Jezebel Deva.

Do you have any other projects than Echoterra, if you don't, would you like to have any?

I have melodic metal band called Silent Rites, based in Stockholm, Sweden and another band called Dying Daylight, based in Helsinki, Finland.

You used to be in Therion, did you enjoy this time?

Yes I did, those years showed me a new direction on a personal level with my singing and I got a chance to travel,
see how the music business works, and meet all the great fans of Therion. Sometimes it was hard when we didn't get too much sleep or when being sick on tour, but all that was worth it. I always waited for the evening to come and the time to enter the stage. That experience singing in front of people made it absolutely amazing! It was frustrating too, being a choirgirl
wasn't exactly what I planned to do when I was younger, but it definitely made me work harder and made me humble.
I don't take anything for granted, I believe, behind almost every succesfull musician, there is always lots of work.

What are your plans for future?

I'm gonna take up songwriting again, and start working on my solo-album.  I play piano, just enough to be able to write the rough ideas and then present them to musicians I'm going to work with. Hopefully I can even have a producer involved and I´m currently looking for songs written by other songwriters too.

Last question, there are tons of female fronted bands out there, how does Echoterra keep unique?

I think my voice is unique, and Jonah picking up the best of me by producing the vocals,
can be the key to continue creating something special. Still, the songwriting by Yan and Jonah is the heart of it all.
Echoterra songs/lyrics are built on a very sensitive, emotional basis, and that I hope makes us stick out from the crowd.

Latest Multimedia

Manifest Eternity / The Will of Life

ECHOTERRA - New CD at Amazon.com | MySpace Video

Links 

Suvi Virtanen Official Profile

Echoterra Official MySpace

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