With "My Winter Storm" the ex-Nightwish star Tarja Turunen has proven for the first time in 2007 that she can do it also without the big "mother-band" Nightwish and has released a solo CD that impressed many fans. Now the finnish beauty continues with a promising single and the album What Lies Beneath. We talked with the sympathetic diva not only about her current song Falling Awake, her performance at Wetten Dass...? and the upcoming tour with the rock veteran Alice Cooper, but we also already received first info about her soon-to-be released, long-awaited second CD.

Orkus: Soon you will release the first single from What Lies Beneath, Falling Awake. The english expression "falling asleep" is pretty common, but "Falling Awake" is an interesting creation of you. What does it mean for you in this context if some suddenly wakes up?

Tarja Turunen: Falling Awake is a very personal song. I wrote it together with the American singer and songwriter Johnny Andrews, who also worked a lot with me on my new album. At this time of my life I wake up more and more, get more conscious and clearer of myself as woman and artist. I slowly start to feel really strong and get a more and more exact image of what I really want in my life. I consider my life to be a gift that belongs to me and I am very happy with what I have achieved so far. If I would die tomorrow, I would consider having lived my life in a useful way, because I try every day to find the small things that mean lots of luck to me. I don't need to build a huge palace around me; the small things and the love and support of my family and friends are the most important things for me.

0: So Fallling Awake resembles thematically the song Die Alive of My Winter Storm?

TT: Yes, that is correct, because there are some ideas that are always on my mind. I'm still influenced by the Brazilian Writer Paulo Coelho, because it really fascinates me how he writes about life. Die Alive is also about living your life here and now, just like Falling Awake. "Live for the moment has turned into my motto." So far in my life I've gone through some difficult times, especially of course when my mother died. After such strokes of fate you begin to realize that you gotta fight daily for your life and your luck.

O: When and how did Falling Awake get developed? Why did you choose exactly this title for the first single from What lies beneath?

TT: The song has developed very late during the recording process. I worked for two years on the album no matter where I was at. However the majority of the work took place between the touring since when you are on tour it is not very calm and and I want and have to concentrate on the shows. I wrote the song towards the end of 2009, around October. When I was done with the melody for the first verse, I already got the feeling that it will be a strong song, with a strong message. When Johnny and I composed the song, we already thought that it was gonna be the first release. It won't be a normal, but a street single that won't be released in all countries. For example in my home country Finland it won't be released at all. Falling Awake is just a short foretaste of the coming album, a little something for my fans.

O: The guitars in Falling Awake sound very powerful and strong. Is your sound on What Lies Beneath all in all stronger/tougher than on your solo debut?

TT: I think that I make my attitude as artist very clear on this album. Because it is my second album, I prepared it since a long time and I wanted to be sure that I am gonna deliver something really good. In total I have written about 30 songs, out of those songs I have actually recorded 16 then. Of course there won't be 16 songs on the album, but in this way I'll already have the bonus tracks for the different countries. I worked hard on writing a strong album and I put my whole heart into What Lies Beneath. I am very happy about being the only one responsible for album production this time, because this has been a big step for me, because in my ex-band Nightwish I didn't help with songwriting and the production of my first album was in the hands of a producer. Therefore I am now incredibly happy to have all artistic freedom now and be able to do everything the way I imagine it to be. I also had the chance now to only work with people in whom I trust and with who I feel comfortable with , which is a huge privilege. The songs will surely sound heavy, but my classical side will still be very strongly present through the orchester and the choir.

O: A while ago you performed at Wetten Dass...? together with the Scorpions the song The Good Die Young. How did the idea of a collaboration between you and them come up, and what was your experience with German TV?

TT: Performing at Wetten Dass...? was a nice experience for me. The show is very popular in Germany, but nearly unknown in Finland. I already knew Thomas Gottschalk before though and I was looking forward to being in his show. Klaus Meine from the Scorpions called me and asked if I wanted to participate in one of the songs on their new album, this of course was a great honor for me. He gave me two songs to choose from and I finally chose The Good Die Young. Soon there will be a second version of the song where Klaus and I are doing a real duet, which makes me very happy.

O: In November you will accompany the rock legend Alice Cooper on his Theatre of Death tour. Are you a big fan of Alice? And what does he think of your version of his song Poison?

TT: I am so happy and excited about this tour because I am a big fan of Alice since I was a teenager. Now to get the invitation to tour with him is really unbelievable. Right now things are happening in my life of which I never even dared to dream of. My older brother got me into Alice back then, and that's how I started to also listen to rock music besides classical music. So far I had no chance to get Alices opinion about my cover version, but I don't think I'll perform Poison at that tour, the people would surely throw tomatoes at me.

O: Which experiences, feelings or places did inspire you most to write What Lies Beneath? You have travelled a lot in the last few years - this surely must have had lots of influence on your life...

TT: Yeah, of course, because I take my thoughts and emotions with me when I travel. I am hardly ever in my actual home, but mostly on the road and always on the go, which is not very easy for my loved ones and often hard to understand. Even with my dad I can't really talk about the life I live as an artist. As performer you have no normal job with fixed working hours, but you have to be flexible. As much as I love this job, it always takes me away from my home in Buenos Aires, which is at times very difficult. Sometimes I just have to go to a quiet place to read a book or go to the cinema or spent time with my husband,otherwise I wouldn't be able to deal with all this turbulence. I take a lot of inspirationfrom my direct surroundings, but also from the whole world and the things that I see on the news often move me deeply. What Lies Beneath has some very direct lyrics, but I still want to leave room for interpretations. It is very important for me that many people can find themselves in my lyrics.

O: My Winter Storm contains lots of material that was composed by other artists for you. You have always had though a huge interest in writing your own songs. Does What Lies Beneathoffer a huger amount of songs written/composed by you?

TT: Yes, in comparison my contribution to What Lies Beneath is really huge. There is no track on this CD to which I didn't contribute myself. I am responsible for the whole production, the sound and all the other elements, this album is 100% me. What Lies Beneathis about me, my feelings, my life and what's deep inside of me, in the people around me and deep in life itself. The album title has been created two years ago and has inspired me to write songs. It was the same with My Winter Storm, the title has been created very early as well and basically forced me to write. Also I am very happy that during the work on my second CD I could overcome my shyness. It was really difficult on my debut, because it was a big problem for me to open up myself, to make clear what I want and say something whenthings were going against what I wanted. This was difficult, but now it is easier for me to show my feelings as well as talk to professional song writers about my ideas. My experiences gave me courage over time.

O: You've worked a long time on What Lies Beneath. How do you feel now that it is finally finished? Are you satisfied with the result and do you now feel more mature than at thebeginning of your solo career?

TT: Of course I feel more mature now, because everything in life is a slow process of learning and maturing. When you keep your eyes open and your mind awake, you learn lots of new things while doing music. With What Lies Beneath I took for myself a huge step forward, because this time everything was in my hands. Two years ago when everything started and I for the first time had to coordinate everything, I was very nervous. I was scared of not being able to do it all by myself. Of course my husband supported me as much as possible and helped me wherever he could but I just had to hear from fellow musicians that they believed in me. When they finally told me "Of course you'll manage!" I was very happy. I thought that I really don't have to fear anything anymore, when they believe that strongly in me, and that gave me the strength to continue with full energy. Without all those great people around me I wouldn't be where I am now, and I am so very thankful for their support and love. With my first album I learned to walk, with What Lies Beneath I start to run.