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
Sito
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