INTERVIEW WITH LANA LANE (italian version)
by Giancarlo Bolther

Your last studio album was Project Shangri-La (if we don¹t consider albums like Winter Session or Return To Japan) and we waited three years for Lady Macbeth, why so long?
I actually consider Winter Sessions to be my last studio album. We did record it in a studio, after all! But in the time since Project Shangri-La, we did four tours, and of course Erik released 3 titles as well. Then the project to compile and mix my Return to Japan CD and Storybook DVD took a very, very long time. These were all important projects for us, and I am glad we completed them all, and all with high quality. So we didn't really have time to record a new studio album until now. But I think it's worth the wait!

Lady Macbeth marks ten years since the realisation of your debut album, how much are you changed since then?
I think I've changed a lot. With each new album I feel I have grown as an artist. I think I'm a better singer and songwriter than I was 10 years ago, and in my opinion that's the way it should be. If you don't challenge yourself and learn things during life's journey, then something is wrong.

When you¹ve started to work on Lady Macbeth have you considered the fact that this would be your tenth year anniversary album?
Yes, definitely. Erik and I wanted to celebrate my 10th anniversary by doing something different. I have made a lot of different kinds of albums. But I have never recorded a rock opera or concept album from start to finish, so we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to do it.

How do you feel about this important date and how do you have in mind to celebrate it?
In some ways I'm sad that 10 years have gone by so fast. Then in other ways I'm very excited about the next 10 years. I will be doing a some concerts in Europe, Japan, the USA and Canada in the next few months to celebrate, so I'm looking very forward to that. This will be called "The Lana Lane 10th Anniversary Tour".

Ten years of activity with some more to rise from the ranks, how much are you changed as a person since your beginnings?
I don't think I've changed as a person so much. I'm still the same in many ways, but I am a bit more cautious than I used to be. I am not as trusting of people anymore. In the music business there are many deceitful people, so I've learned to keep my distance. But I'm sure this is true in any professional situation and it is a small price to pay for being able to do what you love.

What can you tell us about the realisation of Lady Macbeth, I¹ve read that it was recorded both in Europe and USA?
Erik and I began writing the album while we were on tour in 2004. Last year was a big touring year for us. We started in Los Angeles at the beginning of July, and we finished up in St. Petersburg, Russia at the end of October. That was the longest tour we have ever done. So we spent a lot of time with Peer Verschuren and Ernst Van Ee, and we really developed a great band sound through all of the live shows. It was only natural to invite them to play on the new studio album. Also Swedish bassist Kristoffer Gildenlöw who also lives in Holland now. So Erik created arrangements for all the songs, we demoed them in California, and then Erik flew to Europe in December of 2004 to record the guys in Holland. Then he came back just before Christmas, and we finished the recording here with our familiar American crew, Mark McCrite, Neil Citron, Don Schiff and Kelly Keeling.

Which are the main differencies with your previous works?
The main difference is that it is a concept album from start to finish. The album tells a whole story. Each song tells an important part of the story which makes the album very interesting. We have made albums with loose concepts in the past. For example, Garden of the Moon had an earth / garden theme throughout, Queen of the Ocean had a water theme, and Secrets of Astrology a celestial theme. But this is the first real heavy concept album where the concept is more than just a theme. This is also the first album to feature Peer, Ernst and Kristoffer. I think they bring a very fresh approach to the Lana Lane music. And it's great working with them, too.

The concept behind is very intriguing, can you tell me more about?
Erik and I have always been Shakespeare fans because the stories are so intense. It was actually Erik's idea to use the story of Lady Macbeth for my 10th anniversary. As far as we know, no one else has used this subject matter in a musical setting, so it seemed quite unique. And since the character of Lady Macbeth is not a heroine by any means, we thought it would be a very powerful concept to take on.

Lady Macbeth is a dark lady, how much autobiographic is this the story that you wrote for the album?
Lady Macbeth is certainly sinister. I tried to approach the story in a more surreal, fantastic way to be able to relate to her character. It was easier for me to write songs using her madness rather than her evilness. I tried to make her more vulnerable, more human. But yes, it is a difficult character to feel sympathy for and to relate to. I'm really proud of what we have done with the story, though.

Could we consider this new album as the most deep and articulate of your actual discography?
I think so. I am very proud of it and think that it shows our growth as artists. It has rockers, ballads, and the in-between style that I love so much. Musically, it is really the essence of Lana Lane. I would hate to be pinned down to just one particular style.

I think that to realize a concept album will be more difficult than making one without a guiding story, but I believe that a concept is also more interesting and satisfying artistically speaking at his end, what's your opinion?
I agree. This was probably the easiest album to write because it had a built-in story already. It would be more difficult to write a concept album from the ground up, but I think they both would be equally satisfying. Erik did that with his Music Machine album, of course. He invented the whole story there.

In the line up we have found a new entry, K. Gildenlow from Pain Of Salvation, can you tell me more about this guy, how is born your collaboration and what do you think about his main band?
To be honest, I haven't heard too much of the Pain of Salvation music. We have two of their albums, including the new one, "Be". What I have heard sounds great. THey are a very serious and artistic band. We are also label mates in Japan, so we've been familiar with the band by name for many years now. We know Kris more as a friend, though, than on his albums. But I do look forward to hearing more of their music.

I have read about a new dvd, what do you have in mind?
We will record one of our shows in Japan this year for DVD as "The Lana Lane 10th Anniversary Concert". My Storybook DVD is more of a documentary, so Erik and I really wanted to make a more traditional concert DVD. This new one will be just that! We plan to release it at the end of 2005.

Can you tell me about a typical day in the Norlander family?
Erik and I get up in the morning and I make coffee. We let our dogs in and say good morning - then we go straight to our computers and check email and business situations. Then I'll make some breakfast because I love to cook. Then maybe we go for a walk, then back to business (all things music related) for the rest of the day. Then I make dinner and we have some wine (or other alcoholic drink), and we curl up on the couch and watch our favorite tv show or a movie. We are just an ordinary married couple. When we are touring, of course, it is completely different and sounds much more exciting.

Can you tell us some weird things that happened to you?
So many weird things have happened to me, I wouldn't know where to begin!

There is a country in which you have never played that you would do so?
I would love to play in France. We had concerts booked there in 2002, but I became really sick after our Japanese tour that year, so we had to cancel the European leg. It would be great to play there. Of course, we are also looking forward to our return to Italy! We had such a great time there last time.

Which is the greatest satisfaction happened to you in your musical carreer?
My greatest satisfaction is the fact that Erik and I have been able to make our living making artistic music and that we've been able to pursue a common dream together.

Some years ago you told me that you were interested in making a soundtrack, are you still looking for an opportunity or do you are searching for new challengies?
I would LOVE to be chosen to sing a James Bond 007 theme - that would be so great!

Are you listening to some new bands, there are some that you like?
I haven't really been listening to the radio lately as we have been working on Lady Macbeth for the past few months. The newest band that I've listened to lately is Evanescense, and I like it very much.

I've read that it will be possible that you still can¹t come in Italy, which are the problems?
I don't know the reason for that. But if we get invited, we will come.

How do you live your relation with your fans?
We have a Yahoo Groups list that is very active. Several posts each day. I participate as much as I can, and it's fun to interact with all of these people. It is also really great when we go play abroad to meet the people in person that you have been writing to online. And over the years, we have made a lot of great friends in Europe and all over the world. It is great to see them when we tour.

A salute to yours in Italy?
My dear Italian fans, I hope to be able to visit your beautiful country again and enjoy your warmth, art, history, creativity and fabulous food ... I have missed you.

GB

review (in italian): Ballad Collection; Love is an Illusion; Project Shangri-La; Curious Goods; Garden of the Moon; EEC Tour 2001; EEC Tour 2003; Covers Collection;
Winter Sessions; Storybook + Return To Japan; Lady Macbeth; 10th Anniversary Concert; Gemini; Red Planet Boulevard; The Best of L.L. 2000-2008

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