Interviewer: Hello Tarja, how is your spring going?
Tarja: Phew, in a rush! Lovely to have light, but busy, lots of work. I finished the tour in South-America a few weeks ago, after that I’ve been writing new song for the new album, a lot of them. Somehow this spring, light and feeling good have caused me to write a lot of material. And tomorrow with the Allegro train to Saint Petersburg for the new European tour that lasts for four weeks. So busy.

I: When will you be releasing a new album?
T: That I can’t say at this point. Now during the summer, hopefully by the end of this summer, I’ll have finished all of the songs. And then we’ll see. When the Lord will allow. (Note: She uses the first part of a Finnish saying ‘Jos Luoja suo, eikä salama iske’ = ‘If the Lord allows and lightning doesn’t strike.)

I: Tell us a bit, what kind of an album is coming out?
T: Well, rock without a doubt. Plus some of that sensitive me, I really love changing the mood, going from gloominess, well not so much from gloominess, but from the feeling of darkness to the light. These two things live in me so well in balance. I love to rock out and the church concerts, the sensibility, the two are so well in balance.

I: What about tonight, what do you expect from tonight?
T: Well, gosh, this is really a world-premiere with Jyrki. We get to perform together my newest single, Underneath and.. Jyrki, come!
Jyrki69: Good day!
T&I: Good day!

I: I was just asking, what are you expecting from tonight? Tarja told you’ll be singing her new single together.
J: Yeah, we’ll be also in a way carrying out the idea of Easter. This has a pious side to it, we have recorded this for charity for Unicef and now performing it live in a charity concert. The song is pious enough that it fits Easter and a way to spend Easter this way is beautiful as is the song.. and my duet partner too.
T: Oh you.. always!
J: Now she’s blushing.
T: Jyrki!

I: What does charity in general mean to you?
T: Even one person can do a lot of good. That has been proved. Always when I’ve had the chance I have taken it and Jyrki has done the work for many many years.
J: I’m the Goodwill Ambassador for Unicef. The idea comes from.. If I have the chance to create entertainment that allows people to escape everyday life and I can create something that interests people, of course I want to use that power to do good. Because as you know it all comes back to you. It’s a sincere thought and gives a good feeling. I get people to clap and show anything during a gig, so sometimes it’s nice to do something concrete and real.
T: But through music, music is a lovely thing and no matter what happens in the world, music has an intense power, to help when you’re feeling bad. So let’s hope we have at least some kind of power tonight.
J: Of course.

I: Can you also tell us what you have been doing this spring?
J: I just came from a tour in Europe, we toured Europe for a month. Left from Manchester and ended up in Stockholm, the most southern spot was near Rome, so I’ve been in the tour bus watching spring progress.
T: Well slept.
J: Yup, really. Plus 30 degrees outside. Thousands of people clapping and were exited. Now I’ve been trying to save my voice for this show..
T: It’ll go well.
J: Yeah. With that strength.

I: I still have to ask you, you’ve perhaps been following Idols, who is you favorite to win?
J: Help! Like she doesn’t live here and I haven’t been in Finland. I really don’t know. Tell us something.
T: I have no clue.. Yes, tell us, what are the candidates like!
I: Now we have three candidates, two men and one woman and all good candidates.
T: Well, tonight we will hear them.
J: Yeah and Finland is such a small country, we need new people to bring delight. So competitions like this are welcomed and welcome to the group to the three. And more, everyone who was involved, there’s surely a place for everyone.
I: Thank you and have a lovely night!
T&J: Thank you.

Translation: Afrodite