Interview with:Timo Kotipelto
“I am like a spoiled kid in the tour bus”
Timo Kotipelto about the tour life
The interview with Timo Kotipelto was more a ‘hang-out-in-the-bar’ conversation than a serious interview. Maybe it was my fault, because he was very serious, but he was the first artist who really made me sick, but that’s another story. Kotipelto was on tour with Kamelot and after their gig a tired, but happy Timo wants to tell everything about the last two albums, the future and even a bit more about himself.
When I ask him how the tour went so far, the singer sounds a bit amazed when he gives his answer: ,,To be honest I didn’t expect much, because my albums haven’t done much. For me it was like a little dream came true. I don’t know so many, at least Finnish guys, as a solo artist in the metal scene, who can do this. I like to sing live and I have a very good band now, so everything gets along with each other very well. When the Kamelot guys asked me to do this it was great: You don’t get the opportunity so often, so I wanted to grab this!”
The frontman is sitting on the couch in the tour bus and is in a good mood. He tells me that he has a hangover from the evening before, but still he wants to take the time to do an interview.
Tour
The frontman from Stratovarius started a solo project some years ago. After some line-up changes the singer found some real band members and now the band is really complete. That is one of the reasons that he is very satisfied about the package Kamelot, Epica and Kotipelto.
The frontman from Stratovarius started a solo project some years ago. After some line-up changes the singer found some real band members and now the band is really complete. That is one of the reasons that he is very satisfied about the package Kamelot, Epica and Kotipelto.
,,So far it’s much better than I thought, more people than I expected". I thought: Kamelot and Epica pull in the people and a bit for me when I am lucky. In countries like Spain they know me as the singer of Stratovarius, but those people don’t know my project. Back to the question: Yes it has been a very good tour and much better than I expected. Of course it could be stadiums as well, but to be realistic, that’s not the case.”
So you will come home with a lot of motivation?
,,Yes. Me and especially the guitar- and bass player we have planned to compose, at least arrange, the next album together. The first two albums I composed everything myself: there was nobody else. We have a good feeling in the band. It sounds like a cliché but I was surprised."
,,It’s much easier ’cause when you compare this situation with the situation in my ‘other’ band it’s true: the bigger the band gets the more problems you get. Of course it’s easy to say when you haven’t done bigger things, but I can compare it now. We played with the other line-up shows in Finland for not so many people ad we enjoyed it.”
,,Yes. Me and especially the guitar- and bass player we have planned to compose, at least arrange, the next album together. The first two albums I composed everything myself: there was nobody else. We have a good feeling in the band. It sounds like a cliché but I was surprised."
,,It’s much easier ’cause when you compare this situation with the situation in my ‘other’ band it’s true: the bigger the band gets the more problems you get. Of course it’s easy to say when you haven’t done bigger things, but I can compare it now. We played with the other line-up shows in Finland for not so many people ad we enjoyed it.”
After drinking some water the singer continues: ,,It looks pretty good. The tour promoter asked us to do a festival and that’s a good sign. I mean I didn’t asked for it, because there will be some Stratovarius promotion. When we are lucky we will back in Holland again to play on a festival. I think that’s amazing. This tour is important, because people see that’s not only a project like the album, but it’s a band although the members were not on the album. At least some of them will be on the next one!”
So there is a good chemistry between all of you in the band?
,, I think that’s true. It’s a bit weird, because I also did gigs with the other line-up and I know those guys longer. This time the drummer and keyboard player came to this band 3 days before the show and there was a good chemistry.” Then Timo bends over to the voice-recorder and screams: “We rehearsed 3 months before the first gig. Now when we are playing together it’s so tight. “
,, I think that’s true. It’s a bit weird, because I also did gigs with the other line-up and I know those guys longer. This time the drummer and keyboard player came to this band 3 days before the show and there was a good chemistry.” Then Timo bends over to the voice-recorder and screams: “We rehearsed 3 months before the first gig. Now when we are playing together it’s so tight. “
Self-knowledge
Timo is very self-critical: ,, I don’t need self-confidence, because I just do my job. Sometimes it’s worse and sometimes I do it better. I know myself, but it went very good on this tour. It depends for the singer on different things like how well can he hear? Small things infect you: after all we are all human beings, or at least we try to be. When you have a hangover, can’t have a proper breakfast or someone is saying not so nice about you.”
Timo is very self-critical: ,, I don’t need self-confidence, because I just do my job. Sometimes it’s worse and sometimes I do it better. I know myself, but it went very good on this tour. It depends for the singer on different things like how well can he hear? Small things infect you: after all we are all human beings, or at least we try to be. When you have a hangover, can’t have a proper breakfast or someone is saying not so nice about you.”
When you look back are you satisfied with those two records?
,,No, I am never satisfied with anything I done. I am very critical, it’s hard sometimes, but than you have the short moments on the tour. No I am a perfectionist. I also think that I am not a negative person, but I am critical in what I do. I am not 100% satisfied. When you think about it I am scared also, because when you are 100% satisfied you can’t develop anymore. On those albums there are songs that could be better with these guys. We did some arrangements for the tour, but there are some very good vocal melodies.”
,,No, I am never satisfied with anything I done. I am very critical, it’s hard sometimes, but than you have the short moments on the tour. No I am a perfectionist. I also think that I am not a negative person, but I am critical in what I do. I am not 100% satisfied. When you think about it I am scared also, because when you are 100% satisfied you can’t develop anymore. On those albums there are songs that could be better with these guys. We did some arrangements for the tour, but there are some very good vocal melodies.”
Except self-critical Timo also sees the good things on his records: ,,The best song on the first album is definitely ‘The Movement of the Nile’ but I think the vocals are really there. On the second album I think ‘Reasons’ is close to what I can achieve.”
Past
For some reason suddenly the conversation goes about Stratovarius. As many people know there were some problems in the band, but now the band is back. Timo tells about it: ,, I told Kyra (Century Media Records - SD) that I wouldn’t be given Stratovarius interviews because we promised in the band that there won’t be interviews before the exactly interview start. Of course it’s hard for some people to understand this, but it doesn’t make any sense to me because this is the way it should be.
When I say something now, the magazines will write about Stratovarius, but not about my thing. When I say something to be hones, there will be problems in the band. We try to do our best, but it’s not easy.
I don’t want to talk Tolki (member of Stratovarius-SD) down, that’s not the case, but when someone has mental problems you can’t see it so well…”
For some reason suddenly the conversation goes about Stratovarius. As many people know there were some problems in the band, but now the band is back. Timo tells about it: ,, I told Kyra (Century Media Records - SD) that I wouldn’t be given Stratovarius interviews because we promised in the band that there won’t be interviews before the exactly interview start. Of course it’s hard for some people to understand this, but it doesn’t make any sense to me because this is the way it should be.
When I say something now, the magazines will write about Stratovarius, but not about my thing. When I say something to be hones, there will be problems in the band. We try to do our best, but it’s not easy.
I don’t want to talk Tolki (member of Stratovarius-SD) down, that’s not the case, but when someone has mental problems you can’t see it so well…”
Coldness
The last record 'Coldness' is in my opinion different from the first one: it’s darker and more melancholic. Timo agrees with it: ,, I can’t help it but when I am composing, I guess every artist has it, personal emotions on certain situation infects your songs. That’s the way it should be. At the time when I was composing the songs, especially the lyrics, I had problems with my ex-girlfriend and also the problems with Stratovarius. I couldn’t make a happy album.”
The last record 'Coldness' is in my opinion different from the first one: it’s darker and more melancholic. Timo agrees with it: ,, I can’t help it but when I am composing, I guess every artist has it, personal emotions on certain situation infects your songs. That’s the way it should be. At the time when I was composing the songs, especially the lyrics, I had problems with my ex-girlfriend and also the problems with Stratovarius. I couldn’t make a happy album.”
Future
After that Timo is so enthusiastic about the new ideas that he can’t help it to talk about it again:
“I try to find my new ways. I already have some new ideas, but I don’t know what the next album will be. When I start to compose with the guys, maybe next month already, we will see what comes out. We have the spirit now so we have to do it now! We did one song already in the backstage room in Barcelona. I had one idea and the guys helped me with the verse. The direction of the record I don’t know what it will be: lighter, faster of slower I really have no idea.”
After that Timo is so enthusiastic about the new ideas that he can’t help it to talk about it again:
“I try to find my new ways. I already have some new ideas, but I don’t know what the next album will be. When I start to compose with the guys, maybe next month already, we will see what comes out. We have the spirit now so we have to do it now! We did one song already in the backstage room in Barcelona. I had one idea and the guys helped me with the verse. The direction of the record I don’t know what it will be: lighter, faster of slower I really have no idea.”
Do think that there will be more diversity, because on the first record there is not much diversity in your voice. It’s your trademark to sing high and fast, but you can do more isn’t it?
,,Really? I have a flexible voice that’s true. I can sing musicals and record other stuff if I want. But..uhm…I don’t know the answer.
The next Stratovarius album there will be different kind of vocals that is what I can promise you. It depends on the songs, but if I think about my solo albums and the vocals they are a bit different than Stratovarius: a bit lower.”
,,Really? I have a flexible voice that’s true. I can sing musicals and record other stuff if I want. But..uhm…I don’t know the answer.
The next Stratovarius album there will be different kind of vocals that is what I can promise you. It depends on the songs, but if I think about my solo albums and the vocals they are a bit different than Stratovarius: a bit lower.”
There is more emotion in it and not only a technical thing isn’t it?
,,Now you are copying my saying somewhere, it has to be, because I said that in the interview…owwww than you are very clever and that is a compliment.
Well I was saying that if I sing very high with this technique you couldn’t really show the emotion. Of course you can try, but you have to focus on the technique. Well I shall think about the diversity in vocals and everything.”
,,Now you are copying my saying somewhere, it has to be, because I said that in the interview…owwww than you are very clever and that is a compliment.
Well I was saying that if I sing very high with this technique you couldn’t really show the emotion. Of course you can try, but you have to focus on the technique. Well I shall think about the diversity in vocals and everything.”
You will forget it because it’s a fast life..
,, It’s true and that is why you have to enjoy the short moments. I learned how to appreciate little moments in life. The better the older you get: at least that happened to me. Of course I can enjoy the live shows, but on tour there are also other moments and after years you can remember some special moments. For example: I went to Paris and had an espresso in a certain restaurant. Somehow I remember that when I was sitting on the terrace and the sun was shining. That’s easier to remember than the gigs.”
,, It’s true and that is why you have to enjoy the short moments. I learned how to appreciate little moments in life. The better the older you get: at least that happened to me. Of course I can enjoy the live shows, but on tour there are also other moments and after years you can remember some special moments. For example: I went to Paris and had an espresso in a certain restaurant. Somehow I remember that when I was sitting on the terrace and the sun was shining. That’s easier to remember than the gigs.”
The frontman tells me that he had to do a lot of work before he went on this tour: ,,For me this tour is a holiday in comparison to the situation before the tour. I was very stressed out. First of all I recorded the vocals for the upcoming Stratovarius album, than I wrote and recorded two songs for a friend of mine and than I signed a new band for my 'High and Loud' record label called WINGDOM.
In the end of this month their album comes out. Then I had stress because Jens (the keyboard player from Stratovarius– SD) or Janne Wirman couldn’t do the tour. Lucky me, Robert came to the band two weeks before the tour started. I thought that I had a burnout because there were a couple of days I couldn’t do anything. Well now I have this tour: you can’t do anything what you normally do. I am like a spoiled kid on the tour bus! Somebody is telling you when there is food. Of course I am not drinking that much, because I have to take care of my voice.”
He is almost stressed again when he thinks about what to do when he is back in Finland again. There will be a Stratovarius video shoot and photo shoots, press conferences and band meetings.
In the end of this month their album comes out. Then I had stress because Jens (the keyboard player from Stratovarius– SD) or Janne Wirman couldn’t do the tour. Lucky me, Robert came to the band two weeks before the tour started. I thought that I had a burnout because there were a couple of days I couldn’t do anything. Well now I have this tour: you can’t do anything what you normally do. I am like a spoiled kid on the tour bus! Somebody is telling you when there is food. Of course I am not drinking that much, because I have to take care of my voice.”
He is almost stressed again when he thinks about what to do when he is back in Finland again. There will be a Stratovarius video shoot and photo shoots, press conferences and band meetings.
Kotipelto
For many people the solo project from Timo came out of nothing. With his first record 'Waiting for the Dawn' he had not that much attention but now he is better known with the last record. The singer explains why he started this project:
,,In the other band there was one guy who composed 99 percent of the music. Before I joined Stratovarius I was composing and writing all the lyrics with my ex-band. I have melodies and riffs in my head every day. It felt like I was in a jail in a way, although it was great with Stratovarius and it still is hopefully.
I have done seven studio albums and of course I am involved in writing the lyrics a little bit, but with my first solo album I had to do everything alone. It’s so much work: there’s composing, writing lyrics, you need to book the studio and schedule the mixing. With the first album I wanted to prove that I could do it myself. Also to write these songs and the next one was a bit similar in that way.”
For many people the solo project from Timo came out of nothing. With his first record 'Waiting for the Dawn' he had not that much attention but now he is better known with the last record. The singer explains why he started this project:
,,In the other band there was one guy who composed 99 percent of the music. Before I joined Stratovarius I was composing and writing all the lyrics with my ex-band. I have melodies and riffs in my head every day. It felt like I was in a jail in a way, although it was great with Stratovarius and it still is hopefully.
I have done seven studio albums and of course I am involved in writing the lyrics a little bit, but with my first solo album I had to do everything alone. It’s so much work: there’s composing, writing lyrics, you need to book the studio and schedule the mixing. With the first album I wanted to prove that I could do it myself. Also to write these songs and the next one was a bit similar in that way.”
In the future Timo more wants to have the feeling of a band: ,,On 'Coldness' there are some guest musicians, but I want to have more like a band. I hope that the guys who play on the next album are able to tour.”
One of his weaknesses Timo thinks is that he can’t play instruments that well. He has a lot of melodies in his head but can’t translate them very well: ,,I can’t play. I played drums when I was younger and I can play some riffs on the guitar. That is why it goes so easy with these guys. I tell them: the melody goes like this and then they play it better. I really look forward to make the new record.”
One of his weaknesses Timo thinks is that he can’t play instruments that well. He has a lot of melodies in his head but can’t translate them very well: ,,I can’t play. I played drums when I was younger and I can play some riffs on the guitar. That is why it goes so easy with these guys. I tell them: the melody goes like this and then they play it better. I really look forward to make the new record.”
Techniques
Because it’s very exceptional what Timo does with his voice I ask him to explain a bit more how you develop such a high and powerful voice: “For a guy there is the tenor, baritone and bass. I am a high tenor. You have the ‘chest voice’ like C1 the top note normally but sometimes I can sing D2. You also can sing ‘facetto’ (head voice) and you have the mix voice (you can also call that head voice, but the resonation has to start from the chest but comes from the noise.)
There are not many people who can sing this, but that’s the fact. I must say that with the Stratovarius stuff the lines were extremely high. I didn’t like some of the songs and told Tolki about it. Of course he was the producer and I tried it. That is why I composed my songs a bit lower. It sounds better and there is more feeling, but still it comes with a lot of power. I sing very loud on stage: I blow myself away.”
Because it’s very exceptional what Timo does with his voice I ask him to explain a bit more how you develop such a high and powerful voice: “For a guy there is the tenor, baritone and bass. I am a high tenor. You have the ‘chest voice’ like C1 the top note normally but sometimes I can sing D2. You also can sing ‘facetto’ (head voice) and you have the mix voice (you can also call that head voice, but the resonation has to start from the chest but comes from the noise.)
There are not many people who can sing this, but that’s the fact. I must say that with the Stratovarius stuff the lines were extremely high. I didn’t like some of the songs and told Tolki about it. Of course he was the producer and I tried it. That is why I composed my songs a bit lower. It sounds better and there is more feeling, but still it comes with a lot of power. I sing very loud on stage: I blow myself away.”
Is it pure technical or was it always there?
,,Well I think the ability to sing high it has been there. I sing more than twenty years now. I had some lessons what helps me to get the right technique. I had a good technique naturally. My last lessons were more than 8 years ago. I know what I am doing and always holding back a bit on stage. Even that I had some flew on this tour for five days it didn’t infect my vocals. Of course sometimes it’s easier to sing. It’s funny but I think that I am a better singer now than two or five years ago. I found more from myself and I feel more comfortable on stage.”
Still Timo sits on the couch in the bus with his coat on. He has to think for a while before he goes further: ,,I am a shy person, but not on the stage. I think I was more timid when I started this ten years ago. You learn more the more you tour. I try to win my shyness in a way. Normally I don’t go to people even when I am drunk. Some musicians have more energy after the show, but I am always tired. Emotionally it takes away a lot. I have this believe that I have certain life energy. Every time I sing I give away, I don’t know how much it’s left. That’s why I am very tired in a good way. It’s like sport in a way.”
The singer also likes sport very much. He is a bit disappointed that his condition is not that good at the moment and he tells me that he wants to practise more: ,,With the summer festivals the stages are bigger and than I like to run a lot.“
One last thing I really want to know is why he makes such a big movements. When he claps in his hands it almost looks like he is doing some fitness.
He starts to laugh, but there is a reason for it: ,,I learned that when you make little movements on a big stage nobody see it. I like to throw a microphone stand. I am very good in that to be honest. I can easily throw it 20 meters over the drum kit. It can also be a problem… once I hit the tour manager with it. The stand is black and it’s not easy to see it when there are lots of lights on the stage”.
After that my coughing gets worse so I had to stop the nice conversation.
He starts to laugh, but there is a reason for it: ,,I learned that when you make little movements on a big stage nobody see it. I like to throw a microphone stand. I am very good in that to be honest. I can easily throw it 20 meters over the drum kit. It can also be a problem… once I hit the tour manager with it. The stand is black and it’s not easy to see it when there are lots of lights on the stage”.
After that my coughing gets worse so I had to stop the nice conversation.
I want to thank Mr. Kotipelto for his kindness and Kyra from Century Media for the good communication. Also I want to thank tour manager Dirk for all the help.
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