Atlantis Online will present a growing number of interviews with female artists in music, primarily from the rock and metal field. We present them back to back and this is the fifth page. Enjoy.
- ON THIS PAGE -
Francine/Echoes of Eternity - Jessica/Lyriel - Nicky Gronewold/Nikki Puppet
Francine Boucher
What is your full name and where do you currently reside?
-Francine Boucher, Los Angeles California.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you discovered music.
- I'm originally from Quebec, Canada, an only child and army brat, so I moved around alot as a kid. I have always loved music ever since I can remember, I love many genres.
Can you mention a few people or artists that inspired you and what they meant to you?
- Ann & Nancy Wilson are a some of my favorite female singers, as well as Enya. I also love Bruce Dickinson, Rob Halford & Geoff Tate they have a mezmerizing stage presence. They and many others have all inspired me to be a singer.
If you could pick three records to take with you to a desert island, which would they be?
- Just 3? Can I bring my ipod instead!
There has been a huge surge, almost a paradigm shift in rock and metal the last few years, in that women are now counted in the hundreds in a field that used to be very much male oriented. Would you like to comment on this?
- I think it's a wonderful thing that both men & women are becoming more open minded musically, I think metal has evolved and continues to evolve and branch off into so many new and different styles. It's important for this genre to do so, so that it doesn't become stagnant.
When did you record music for the first time?
- Before I met my bandmembers I had already a home studio and was composing & singing. This was about 9 years ago. My intention at the time was to score music for films. I also work in a professional studio for television post production, have been for 4 years. But this is my first professional album and it was a really cool experience to be on the other side of the mixing board.
If you have to pick out a few favourite tunes from your catalogue, which would they be?
- "Children of the Damned" - Iron Maiden, "Spellbound by the Devil" - Dimmu Borgir, "God of Emptiness" - Morbid Angel, "Don't Stop Believin" - Journey, "Carry on my Wayward Son" - Kansas, "Only Time" - Enya.
Many seasoned artists still fear that moment right before showtime, how did you learn how to deal with that and how is it for you these days?
- I still get a little nervous before a show, I usually just control my breathing and it calms me down, but once I get on stage and music's playing I forget about being nervous and just go off!
What´s the situation for your type of music where you live right now?
- L.A. has a fabulous scene for metal, everyone who's on tour always makes a stop here, we are so spoiled with great shows. My favorite place to see a show is at the House Of Blues, it's big enough yet intimate enough.
What are you currently up to?
- Right now I'm busting my ass with 2 jobs, my regular job & then the band. It's very exhausting, in a few months though I will only have the band as my main occupation and we will be touring relentlessly.
What´s the best feedback you ever had from a listener?
- All feedback is good as long as it is constructive.
Do you take a personal interest in your MySpace page and what do you think of this new invention?
- I think myspace is a wonderful thing, it's like cyberspace real estate, everyone has their own little place and you can visit anyone you like, get in touch with long lost friends, make new ones from all over the globe and even talk to people you look up to.
Do you think the recording industry is out of touch and what would you change if you could?
- The big major labels definately are but metal is still an underground genre and the smaller independant lables doing a great job at being in touch. Nuclear Blast, our label has given us total creative freedom with our music, they never once questioned anything or told us what to do. We recorded the album and handed in the master and that's it. I think that's the secret to music, just let the artists do their thing and stop trying to make something forced into what you think will be the "in" thing.
Do you surf the Internet and if so where do you usually go?
- Yes!!! Everywhere!! I can't live without the net .
Do you have other major interests outside music?
- I enjoy reading, making jewelery & belly dancing.
What authors do you like and have you read anything good lately?
- I have no favorite authors in particular, I usually read how-to books and spiritual books.
What favourite actors in film and television do you have, and what do you enjoy to watch?
- I don't watch tv anymore, but I used to watch Xena & Hercules religiously, I saw that you are a fan as well. I also like Star Trek alot.
What favourite food do you have?
- Italian, I could eat pasta everyday!
Do you have an interest in the paranormal, the unknown?
- Yes I think it's cool but it also creeps me out at the same time!
Have you ever seen a UFO or do you know anybody that has had an experience that they´ve told you about?
- No.
What´s your take on that?
- I'm pretty sure that we are not alone in this huge universe, but I'm not sure I believe in UFO's.
If you could give a piece of advice a younger sister that would like to follow in your footsteps, what would that be?
- Ignore the naysayers, follow your heart and never ever give up on your dreams. Don't get too caught up in reality, life is but a dream
Would you like to add something to this interview?
- Our debut album "The Forgotten Goddess" comes out Feb 2nd in Europe and Feb 20th in North America, we will be touring everwhere be sure to come out and say hello!
At MySpace / Francine Boucher - Echoes of Eternity
Jessica Thierjung
What is your full name and where do you currently reside?
- My name is Jessica Thierjung and I live in Germany, near Cologne.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you discovered music.
- Normally I’m a shy person but when I go on stage I show another side of myself. I wanted to become a singer when I was just a little girl, but I could never expect that I truly have the talent.
Can you mention a few people or artists that inspired you and what they meant to you?
- The first female singers that impressed me were Celine Dion and Mariah Carey and I still admire their voice volume. At the moment I really often listen to Katie Melua because I like her voice and naturalness very much.
If you could pick three records to take with you to a desert island, which would they be?
- This is very difficult…at the moment I would tend to: 1. Katie Melua "Piece by Piece", 2. ELIS "Griefshire", 3. Pussycat Dolls.
There has been a huge surge, almost a paradigm shift in rock and metal the last few years, in that women are now counted in the hundreds in a field that used to be very much male oriented. Would you like to comment on this?
- I think it’s a very good evolution and I really like female voices in metal music.
When did you record music for the first time?
- Professionally this was in 1999, for the band "Sorrowsend" of which Lyriel was originated. It was only one short song (Fate of knowledge) which can be found on the first Lyriel album, too.
Many seasoned artists still fear that moment right before showtime, how did you learn how to deal with that and how is it for you these days?
- I’m always nervous before I go on stage (sometimes more, sometimes less) because every concert is different. I haven’t found a remedy for excitement, yet.
When did you record music for the first time?
- This was the first Lyriel tour in 2005 with Elis and Visions of Atlantis. We had so much fun together and I’ve learned a lot. I’ve also had the change to get to know Sabine Dünser (Elis). Unfortunately on July 8 2006 Sabine died of a cerebral hemorrhage. She was a very special person and I’m happy for the chance to record "My favourite dream" with her.
What´s the best feedback you ever had from a listener?
- This happened recently, from a fan which has been diagnosed with cancer. He spends very much time in the hospital and stated that my voice and the music of Lyriel (amongst others) give him the strength to pass through this hard time.
Do you take a personal interest in your MySpace page and what do you think of this new invention?
- On one hand I certainly promote myself but on the other hand, it’s very interesting, which kind of people like to join my circle of friends.
Do you surf the Internet and if so where do you usually go?
- To our Lyriel homepage and to other bands/musicians I’m interested in. As I have no permanent internet connection at the moment, I have no chance to surf extensively.
Do you have other major interests outside music?
- I like to read and I practice belly dance.
What authors do you like and have you read anything good lately?
- I really like the Harry Potter books and I’m looking forward to the last story.
What favourite actors in film and television do you have, and what do you enjoy to watch?
- Not really, but I like Sandra Bullock, Kate Hudson, Orlando Bloom, Johnny Depp. I like Bollywood movies and I watch many series, like O.C. California, Desperate Housewife’s or Charmed.
What favourite food do you have?
- Pasta, Spinach, chicken fricassee.
Do you have an interest in the paranormal, the unknown?
- Yes, but I don´t have the time to busy myself with this.
Have you ever seen a UFO or do you know anybody that has had an experience that they´ve told you about?
- No.
What´s your take on that?
- I believe that there exists more…but I don’t want to define something.
If you could give a piece of advice a younger sister that would like to follow in your footsteps, what would that be?
- Nothing can be created out of nothing.
At MySpace / Lyriel
Nicky Gronewold
What is your full name and where do you currently reside?
- I´m Nicky Gronewold, singer from NIKKI PUPPET, Hannover, Germany.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you discovered music.
- Yes. I start singing when I was 9 years old, my audience have been my parents and my three sisters. My first Rockband was a female-band called Sharona. It was very interesting that we played live everywhere without having a demo. I took lessons in singing, five years I think, and had many Rockbands, I´ve been singer in the Musical "Bets in the Belfry" – but when I found Christos, my guitarplayer in 2003, everything changed. We found each other in composing songs and we had a vision about an own band and later about making a CD. That´s how it started with NIKKI PUPPET.
Can you mention a few people or artists that inspired you and what they meant to you?
- My guitar player Christos Mamalitsidis, because I´m singing a melody and he´s serching the accords for this idea. Without him I couldn´t compose my songs this way. Another important person for me is our producer, Herman Frank (guitarplayer from Accept and Victory). He has the overview, he tells us truely what he´s thinking, he has an imagination how to record the sound of NIKKI PUPPET. And he´s open minded for our ideas. Record a new album of NIKKI PUPPET? Impossible without him! The third person who inspires me is the fantastic voice from SKIN, the singer from SKUNK ANANSIE. She has a powerful and brilliant voice and she´s critizising our society, that´s good.
If you could pick three records to take with you to a desert island, which would they be?
- NIKKI PUPPET "Puppet on a string", NIKKI PUPPET "Militant Mother" and from SKUNK ANANSIE "Paranoid and Sunburnt".
There has been a huge surge, almost a paradigm shift in rock and metal the last few years, in that women are now counted in the hundreds in a field that used to be very much male oriented. Would you like to comment on this?
- Bravo, girls! I like it! I think there are still enough men in this area...and there is a place for women. Think about Doro Pesch, for example. She´s the female rocker in the scene and men love her! I think we can share this area because women are successfull, too. And their voices are very interesting, listen to Evanescense, Nightwish...or Nikki Puppet! We have a female bassplayer - Anke - and a female singer (me), that´s a very good mix with the two men, Christos (git) and Flo (dr).
When did you record music for the first time?
- Yeah, I recorded my first demo tape in the 90´s with a Rockband called CAYRA. We won an award with our music and made two Video-Clips. But – I don´t know why, maybe because we´ve been to young or to stupid, we never thought about a record deal... we just did the demo for giving concerts everywhere. That changed also with Christos. We had no other interests. Composing songs, finding the right musicians, finding a producer, getting a record deal and become famous.
If you have to pick out a few favourite tunes from your catalogue, which would they be?
- The new album "Militant Mother" has critical songs: "Open up your mind", "Words" "Turning in Circles". These songs have a deeper meaning, for example.
Many seasoned artists still fear that moment right before showtime, how did you learn how to deal with that and how is it for you these days?
- I´m still nervous bevor showtime, but it became better and better during the European tour with Michael Schenker Group in 2006. We had 27 concerts with him and 3 day off and we had to drive from one place to another in these three days. I didn´t have the time to be nervous or have fear, only the few seconds before showtime. But after playing one song with the band on stage I forget everything and I enjoy my time with my puppets.
What´s the best tour/s you´ve ever been involved in and why?
- Oh yeah, the best tour for my band and me was that European Tour with Michael Schenker Group (MSG). From May until June 2006 we traveled from Germany to the Netherlands, England, Scotland, France, Spain, Italy, Swiss, Austria and back to Germany. We had a great time together with both bands and we enjoyed that people came to us and said "Hey, you´re the best support band in the world". The fans made many pictures of our female bass player Anke and me at the merchendise and we played with MSG "Doctor Doctor" live on stage in London! Whow!
What´s the situation for your type of music where you live right now?
- Nicky: I think heavy-rock and songs with great refrains are coming back! And I got the experiance that the rest of Europe is more open-minded for new stuff than Germany – but, we will see! In our hometown in Hannover, where the Scorpions, MSG, Victory comes from, there is still an audience for modern Rock´n´Roll. I hope it grows more and more. For example: Nikki Puppet + MSG in Munich 600 people, the same package in Spain, Valencia, 2500 people.
What are you currently up to?
- Nikki Puppet will go on tour again and it will be arranged by our company right now. If you wanna know where´s the next live concert please visit our homepage www.nikkipuppet.de. I still hope that we travel to Sweden, too.
What´s the best feedback you ever had from a listener?
- "Your band is looking great and has ist own style of music!" (from a fan at a concert in Germany).
Do you take a personal interest in your MySpace page and what do you think of this new invention?
- Myspace is a great big platform for every musician, for example, to have an own page for free, to show their music, their band, get in contact with other bands, radios, adding friends and fans. You get quick information about a band, their live-dates, find easily their offical homepage...yes, and WE met on Myspace!
Do you think the recording industry is out of touch and what would you change if you could?
- The most worse thing that´s happened in my opinion were the CD-Burners. That might kill the record labels, because everybody´s burning CD´s. The Labels changed to the internet now and sell their CD´s or Songs there. But – with Vinyl nobody could copy so much music, record his own music and burn it. And the TV, that is able to push artists and make them famous, if they´re able to sing or playing their instruments or not. They are the "headliners" in music. This is good for some bands, bad for the most bands and very bad for the crowd!
Do you surf the Internet and if so where do you usually go?
- Yes, I do. I go to www.nikkipuppet.de, to www.myspace.com, www.ebay.de, www.armageddonmusic.de and www.wackenradio.com .
Do you have other major interests outside music?
- Nature, Animals, Films, Books...
What authors do you like and have you read anything good lately?
- I like very much "Burn down the night" from Craig Kee Strete, you know it? It´s about the music scene in the 60´s, pure stuff about sex and drugs and rock´n´roll and about a little Indian boy who is very, very lonely in this world.
What favourite actors in film and television do you have, and what do you enjoy to watch?
- For sure Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow! He´s the greatest! And my second favourite film is "THE MATRIX", because I like the idea of this film. And the actors. Did you ever think about it, that we also live in a matrix?
What favourite food do you have?
- Mediterranian Food, Fish, Rice, Vedgetables...
Do you have an interest in the paranormal, the unknown?
- I believe that enery can never die and I know that there´s more than human beings can see, because we lost it somewhere to listen to the inner side. I´m sure that the "unknown" exists. Look, we are here - so there can also be anything "unknown" somewhere.
Have you ever seen a UFO or do you know anybody that has had an experience that they´ve told you about?
- No, I´ve never seen an UFO, just the band UFO, great band. And I really don´t know anyone who saw something like that.
What´s your take on that?
- We only SEE STARS when we had party with the band.
If you could give a piece of advice a younger sister that would like to follow in your footsteps, what would that be?
- Follow your heart and make your own experiences!
Would you like to add something to this interview?
- Thank you very much for the interview. And to all the readers: Get to know my band NIKKI PUPPET, the new album "Militant Mother" is out now - and it burns! Enjoy it!
At MySpace / Nicky Gronewold - Nikki Puppet
Interviews made by Mike Eriksson (c), february 2007.
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