In a recent interview with Bear Wiseman from Off The Record, NIGHTWISH keyboardist and primary songwriter Tuomas Holopainen was asked to share his favorite qualities of each of his bandmates: guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, multi-instrumentalist Troy Donockley, vocalist Floor Jansen, drummer Kai Hahto, and bassist Jukka Koskinen.
“They are the only other people in the world that I think about when I’m writing songs, because it’s really important that they would be inspired about the stuff as well,” Tuomas said.
“I’ve known Emppu for more than 30 years, and he’s just an incredible persona in the way that everything’s always good with him. He’s the easiest-going bandmember there is. He does his job — his guitar playing is as professional as anybody — but other than that, it’s always, like, ‘Yeah, whatever.’ ‘Yeah, that sounds good. I’m fine.’ He’s so carefree, I’m almost envious about that because I worry about stuff constantly. So to get into his mind every now and then would be something else. He’s a wonderful character.
“Same goes with Troy. He’s just the most positive guy in the world. An incredible musician. Every time he enters the room, the room is filled with light and happiness and comedy. Yeah, he has definitely realized something thorough about life. Yeah, wonderful.”
“Floor is the best in the world in what she does,” he continued. “Really passionate about music, really understands the core of NIGHTWISH. And for me as a songwriter, that’s such a relief because I know that whatever I do, whatever I want her to do, she’s able to do. And a good example of this was when we recorded her vocals for this new album [the upcoming Yesterwynde]. We hadn’t rehearsed once because we didn’t have a chance. And we went to her home studio in Sweden. We had reserved two weeks for the recordings, and she was done in six days. Incredible, just incredible in what she does.
“Then Kai, too, again, the most amiable guy there is. I think he has like 25 guests on every single show we do and he doesn’t know half of them. Yeah, everybody’s his friend. So easy to be with. Pro musician, of course, obviously. What a drummer. But just fantastic guy.
“And same goes with Jukka. I mean, I’ve never, ever seen him angry or even agitated. He’s just, like, ‘Yeah, things will be okay. Let’s talk about this.’ And yeah, just a grounding personality. When you feel a bit agitated yourself, Jukka comes to you and you’re, like, ‘Oh, okay.’ And a great bass player, of course. So lucky to be surrounded by these wonderful people. I really am.”
The symphonic metal legend’s new album, Yesterwynde, will be released on September 20, 2024. It marks the band’s tenth studio album, following the release of Human. :II:Nature. from 2020.
Holopainen previously said about the new album: “Yesterwynde is a fantastic journey through time, memory and the better angels of human nature. Three years in the making, we are beyond thrilled to soon be sharing our tenth album with the world!”
Working with Nuclear Blast since the release of their highly acclaimed 2004 album Once , NIGHTWISH has achieved international fame and success, selling more than ten million records and receiving more than 60 gold and platinum awards, as well as six No. 1s albums and thirteen No. 1 singles released. In October 2018, NIGHTWISH was inducted into the Tähtikatu – Walk of Fame Finland, becoming the gallery’s eleventh honorary member. The band’s last studio album, Human. :II:Nature., was released in 2020, which capped the band’s discography with another No. 1 success in Finland and Germany, as well as several other impressive chart placements worldwide.
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