Sergej (Dementor): - Hello Manu! First of all we'd like to wish you a Happy New Year and say - congratulations with your new job of the singer of Xandria! A New Age begins for us all now - you, the band and the fans. Your first concert with them took place on January 7th, what are your feelings about this?
Manuela: - The first concert with Xandria was great! I was really nervous before, because I had a cold and I was not sure if my voice could do it, but in the end all went well and me and the guys were rocking the stage! Sadly it was just one song - I didn't want to go off stage anymore - , but it felt so good to stand there playing music with the guys! And I hope we can repeat this very soon!
S: - For how long did you know Xandria before you decided to apply to them? What influenced you to apply?
M: - I knew Xandria a few years before I applied...I had the Ravenheart album of them. Concerning the application: I saw already in February 2010 that Xandria are searching for a new singer, but I didn't apply, 'cause at this time I've already been part of 2 metal bands (Haggard, Nagor Mar) and I thought I cannot be part of a third one, if Xandria would choose me. I think if you are in a band you should be able to give all your heart for it and that's not really possible if you are in many bands at the same time. So months went by and in late summer I was talking with a very good friend about Xandria searching for a new singer. He knew that Xandria was the music that I always wanted to sing and he said I shouldn't think too much, I should just follow my heart and my desires. So I did and I applied! Thanks Mani for kickin' my ass! ;)
S: - I heard some recordings of your band Nagor Mar and would like to say - your voice is amazing! Do you have musical education, or play any instruments - other than microphone?
M: - I haven't had any musical education until the age of 21, because in my family we listened to music, but never played any instruments, so there was not much contact with making music. But then during my pedagogic studies I started learning the guitar, a bit of piano and I was joining a few choirs. For 2 years I have also been studying musical education at the university "Mozarteum" in Salzburg.
I've always loved to sing since my childhood, but only for my own, 'cause for a long time I really thought I cannot sing very well. My real passion for singing started at the late age of 23 in a choir in Finland, where we sang the churchly song "Kyrie Eleison" for the first time and when I heard a girl singing a classical solo to it. I was very impressed, so when I returned home to Germany I began to take classical singing lessons. I still have lessons once a week with a very experienced opera singer, 'cause even if you have a good voice, you can always improve it...
S: - And why did you choose metal style to work in? Do you like other music styles, and are there your favourite non-metal bands and/or singers?
M: - Metal and rock music has naturally always been a part of my life since my youth . I've often been listening with my Dad to bands like Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, Dire straits, Rolling Stones etc. and on my own also to Bands like Metallica, Nirvana, AC/DC, Bon Jovi or Foo Fighters.
But all those musical influences were nothing against my feelings when I started to listen to bands like Nightwish or Evanescence...the conclusion of metal and classical music is just perfect for me:)
Still I also listen to non-metal music like Elvis, The Beatles, ABBA or K's choice. I am also open-minded concerning other music styles (Jazz, Latin..), cause I think that everything you listen to enriches your own music...
...but what I'd really never put into my CD-Player is Techno, Rave or other electronic music, it makes me totally nervous;)
S: - Well, if you weren't a singer, what would you like to do instead?
M: - Nothing:) mhhhh, it's not so easy to answer, 'cause singing is all I want to do in my life, I cannot imagine not to sing anymore. But if I had to choose I'd like to be a painter, an arts therapist or a fantasy author, because painting, writing and reading are my favourite hobbies next to singing...
S: - Returning to Nagor Mar - you're going to continue your collaboration with them as well, right? I've heard that you're going to take part in Eurovision 2011 contest.
M: - Yes, I will continue my collaboration with them...I am with them from the very beginning and their music still means a lot to me.
But it's only a rumour that we take part in Eurovision contest 2011. It's right that we applied for it, but we did it just for fun and we haven't been chosen to take part in it.
S: - We know you also worked with Haggard. Have you recorded anything with them?
M: - I haven't been recording anything with them. The last CD "Tales of Ithiria" has been recorded before I became part of the band, so you won't find my voice on any CD of them.
S: - Would you like to make a duet with anyone? And who would that person be?
M: - As Tarja Turunen is one of my idols concerning singing, I?d like to make a duet with her...but I could also imagine a duet with Amy Lee or with Roy Khan...
S: - A question from ladies of our fanclub: do you have any preferences in clothing - brands, maybe?
M: - I don't prefer any brands, for me the style of clothing is more important than any brands. Concerning clothing I am a bit old-fashioned and lady-like: I prefer outstanding ball dresses or skirts with colours in red, violet, blue...often combined with black. Where am I allowed to wear beautiful, wide dresses if not on stage? So I take this chance to do it. And you'll never ever see me in trousers on stage, I hate to wear them!
S: - Also there are many anime fans in our fanclub, so here is the appropriate question: do you like anime, or other aspects of Japanese culture?
M: - Honestly I am no anime fan, but I am a big fan of japanese food, especially of Sushi! You can say I am addicted to it, I could eat it every day! And I'd like to get to know japanese culture, I hope we'll once have a Xandria concert there..
S: - In your profile on Xandria site I saw that you like reading fantasy books. What other authors besides of Tolkien and Rowling are your favourites?
M: - First of all: I love to read fantasy books - also one of my vices - cause when I've read a book, I already have to buy the next one. Without a book I cannot fall asleep;) Fantasy books fascinate me, cause for me it is a kind of escapism into other worlds, where everything is possible, full of magic. When I read it, I feel like a child again. I think adults are often too serious and sometimes we should try to find the child in us again, 'cause children still see the little wonders and miracles in daily life and so should we...
Next to Tolkien and Rowling, I love vampire books of authors like Rachel Cane, Richelle Mead, Lisa J. Smith or Stephenie Meyer.
Or books about witches, angels and demons: Laura Whitcomb, Lauren Kate, Becca Fitzpatrick, Gabriella Poole, Alyson Noel, Katherine Howe.
But I also read non-fantasy books from authors like Paulo Coelho, Dan Brown, Nicholas Sparks or Ken Follett.
S: - What connects you with Finland? Do you like any other Finnish bands besides of well-known ones like Nightwish, Amorphis, etc?
M: - Finland has a very special and personal meaning to me: I have been studying there for a term and besides the wonderful people I met, I discovered singing for me. I also love the nature, the "land of 1000 lakes"...and of course the good music they have: Besides Nightwish, Amorphis, Entwine etc. my favourites are bands like Apocalyptica, Sonata Arctica, The Rasmus, Ensiferum or Amberian Dawn...
And I love the sound of the language! Sadly I remember only a few words in finnish, but I wanna once really learn it, even if it is damn difficult!
S: - You have a Facebook page. How much time you usually spend online? And do you like computer games?
M: - I am no fan of computer or games. I try not to spend much time at the computer, because I think that I can use my time in a better way than in Internet, for example with writing lyrics, reading, painting or hiking in nature...
S: - Returning to Xandria: are you going to be involved in the songwriting process?
M: - Yes, I am involved in songwriting, even if Marco does most of it, but we work together in a good way. In some songs I'll do parts of the lyrics. That's very important for me, 'cause I have the strong desire to express myself through words, not only in singing, but also in writing lyrics. It's a difference between singing a song that you wrote on your own or one that is written from someone else. That's why Marco and me talk a lot about the lyrics. I want to understand what his thoughts and feelings were when writing them. Only in this way I can really bring emotions into the songs and sing what shall be expressed...
S: - Lisa and Kerstin used grunt vocals in some songs like Snow-White or Firestorm. Are you going to continue this tendency?
M: - I would do it, if somebody shows me how to growl ;) One of the important things I learned in my singing lessons is: Always have a look at your voice, try to sing in a way that doesn't hurt your vocal chord and don't force anything!
Anyway, it is not really planned to include "growls" in the songs in the future, and if there were such parts, it would be sung by one of the guys or a guest vocalist.
S: - What are you doing to maintain your vocal shape? Maybe have some advice for beginning singers?
M: - To be in good vocal shape I take classical singing lessons once a week and try to practice at least 30 minutes everyday and do excercises I get from my teacher. It's necessary, because the vocal chords are nothing than a muscle that you have to form every day (like in sports).
If you begin to sing, be careful when choosing a teacher: not every teacher is a good teacher even if he/she has a diploma in singing ;) Next to the skills the teacher has, it's very important that you are on same wavelength. This makes it easier to understand the exercises and if you feel comfortable than also your voice does ;) And never try to force anything! Nobody has become an opera singer in a few months, even with much talent ;) Take your time, look carefully at your body (your body is your instrument ;) and ask the teacher to learn songs with you, that you really love, because then you are able to combine the technique with your emotions and sing from your heart :) and of course practice, practice, practice...and never give up, even if people say you cannot sing...don't believe them ;)
S: - What do you know about Russia? Haven't you been here before? Do you know any Russian bands?
M: - I have to admit that I don't know Russian bands or maybe I know them but don't realize they are Russian. Can you suggest some to me? ;)
I can only say: I've once been "near" Russia with Haggard, we had a concert in Kiew. The concert was great and so were the fans!! :)
S: - ..And in conclusion - a few words for your Russian fans!
M: - I send many greetings to all of you and I hope that we can come to Russia as soon as possible with Xandria, cause I'd like to get to know your culture and of course the Russian fans ;)
S: -Okay, thank you very much, we wish you the best of luck with Xandria and hope to hear and see you soon!
[ Наверх
| Связь
с админом]
