Sonata Arctica Email Interview  

First off, could you please state your name and what you do in the band?
Hi, I'm Henrik and I play keyboards in Sonata Arctica

How did you get discovered by Nuclear Blast?
We started out with Spinefarm and after the first three albums we were known enough to get proposals from a lot of companies. Nuclear Blast made the best offer so we went with them.

What's life like in Finland?
We like to drink and party a lot, because we have very long and dark winters. Other than that it's pretty easygoing, with good education possibilities and good healthcare. It's quiet and peaceful and there's a lot of uninhabited countryside.

How old were you guys when you started the band?
I actually joined the band just about three years ago, but the guys were still teenagers when they started out.

I heard Finns get music schooling for free, is that true? If so, how does that work?
The music schooling in Finland is not completely free, but the term-fees are pretty cheap. Also there's a limited amount of students accepted and it's really hard to get in to the best schools.

What does Sonata Arctica mean to you?
It's basically my way of living the dream, which is playing rock'n'roll with your friends, even though we spend so much time together it's actually more like a family.

What are your living situations?
Most of the band live in Kemi, I live in Kokkola which is about 3 hours south. So we all live pretty close to each other.

All Finnish bands are so unique, what do you suppose accounts for that?
I don't think that all Finnish bands are unique, but as I mentioned previously we have these horrible long and dark winters and I think that that's what gives Finnish bands that something special.

Why are all Finnish Power Metal bands good?
They are not ;) but I'll guess you've only heard the ones that are good enough to get exported out to the rest of the word

How was your recent North American tour?
It was fucking great, we never expected so many people to show up and show their support. I can't wait to get back !

What are some of your favorite Finnish bands?
Stam1na, Children of Bodom, Diablo & Kotiteollisuus

Your first name was Tricky Beans, and then it changed again, and now Sonata. Why so many name changes?
Actually the name changes where all done before any albums where released so....I don't think it matters...also I have no idea why the guys where changing the name around.

You have had a few line up changes. What do you feel the newest members are doing to make the band stronger?
Being the newest member myself, It a bit hard to say without being too self-conscious, but I'll guess that anybody who joins an existing band has to find his place both on and off stage and be prepared to work hard. Lineup changes usually have some reasons behind them and it's not always easy to find the perfect lineup but I think we're not gonna see any more personnel changes in Sonata Arctica for a long time.

What are your touring plans for the rest of 2006?
We're currently on tour with Doro, until May 14th and then we do some festivals and by the end of August we stop touring and start preparing for the next album.

What inspires your lyrics and your music?
Life basically, all the experiences you get from traveling around meeting people seeing places....also I get much inspiration from books and movies.

How do American fans differ from European fans?
The difference is actually bigger between cities than countries, some people are louder than others but basically all fans come out to have a good time and see the show and that's what counts.

How does touring America and Europe differ? Which do you prefer?
It pretty similar, only in America there's a lot more to see since we've only been there twice so I prefer that for now. The shows and venues about the same the places we play might be a little bit bigger in Europe.

You just released a live CD/DVD. How long had you been planning on releasing a DVD and why did you choose to use the Tokyo show?
We'd been talking about a dvd for quite some time actually, but when we finally decided to do it Japan was the only place where we could do a big enough show to look good on the dvd, at that time....of course later as the album-sales picked up we could have done it somewhere else but then it was already a bit too late.

Who has been your favorite band to tour with over the years?
There's been many really cool bands we've met and about 95% of the bands we tour with are really fun to be around, and that last 5% well....

Any last words to the readers?
Thanks to all of you who've supported us, coming to shows buying our records and so on. To whoever don't know us, check us out if you like solid heavy music.

Cheers !