Интервю с Olli Vänskä (Turisas)

They are gaining popularity on the global heavy metal scene and are gaining fans (especially female ones) every day. Turisas are believed to be the founders of Battle Metal and are great musicians, professionalists. You can learn more about the band, their new album and their life views in the following interview with Olli Vänskä, their violin player, who agreed to give this interview especially for Metal Hangar 18 and the Bulgarian fans.

Oll

Hello, Olli! Thanks for this interview! How are you, where are you now?

Hey! Thanks, doing good. Had a rough tour and felt it in my bones 2 weeks after… Well, we played in Israel last week, too. Now in Helsinki, leaving to Belgium tomorrow.

I heard that Turisas’ „Guard of glory“ North American tour is over..What is you best memory of it?

Wow, that was a lot of shows. We also did a tour in South America right after North America, and THAT was crazy. Best memory in North America: probably the gigs in Toronto, L.A. and New York.

And now what-you’re having more shows,right? And that one with Slayer must be a killer one.. 😉

At PPM Fest, yes. Honestly, I haven’t even had a proper look at the roster… We’re playing the same date as Gamma Ray, Helloween and others. Had good fun seeing them in Helsinki a couple of weeks back.

What is your usual daily program during tours? 

I tend to stay up quite late for whatever reason, so normally I also sleep long. It’s pretty much the average late breakfast-venue-soundcheck-dinner-nap-gig kind of rhythm. If I have a chance, I try to go see the city we’re in and maybe do something out of ordinary, too.

We know Turisas are preparing a new album and I’m sure it will be great. Tell us more about it: who wrote the music and the lyrics, how long did it take, is there any approximate release date/ month or name?

We’ve been working with it since last spring, pretty much. Nygård has written maybe 70 % of the music, and me and Jussi have written two songs. I spent a lot of time last summer developing and maturing ideas. In the end we also dropped some stuff away, so let’s see what happens with those songs. Nygård wrote all the lyrics again, as is usual. I won’t spoil the themes too much at this point… It should be out late in the summer anyway!

What are your expectations about fan’s reactions? 

Many will be surprised, many will be astonished, and I think there’s going to be a lot of fist-pumping and group singing on your way. A lot of new stuff, some good old vibes – It’s going to be a very good album.

Do you fear the fear?

I try not to, more and more. It’s something that affects us all, I think.

And according to this awesome tshirt in your merchandise..what weapon would you choose? Violin? 😀

It certainly has the ability to touch people, in good and bad way. Other than that, I think I’d choose a katana sword because Leonardo the Turtle was such a cool character.

How and when did you start playing the violin?

I started at the age of five. Coming from a musical family helped, I guess. Studied classical music for 14 years and then kind of gave up, because a career in orchestra didn’t seem too interesting to me.

How did you join Turisas? 🙂

After giving up violin, I had some years off, without playing. Then I ended up playing some very different kind of music and gigs: theatre, tango, schlager, party music, improvisation, jazz, all sorts of stuff.
It was in the soundcheck of a Frank Sinatra tribute show that Georg, the former guitar player, saw me playing and told me to call Nygård. I played the violins for ”Battle Metal” two weeks after that.

Congratulations on your participation in Wintersun’s awesome song „Sons of winter and stars“. I can tell this is my most favourite part in the whole album- all of my idols in one song :3

Thanks, it was fun thing to do! A couple of beers and heroic singing with some cool dudes.

What/who is your biggest inspiration?

I don’t really have idols in that sense… Let’s say Yngwie Malmsteen, because he’s cool and he doesn’t take himself too seriously. Or does he? I don’t know.
And this is some kind of lexicon with little ‘fill-in’ questions for the biggest fans! 🙂

Olli / Audrey Dujardin Photography

Name: Olli Vänskä

Birth date: 1 June

Hobbies: Violin, writing, technology, gym, jogging

Fave band/song: This is too difficult, it changes all the time… well, Rammstein – Asche zu Asche

Fave book: Malcolm Gladwell – Blink

Fave quote: ”So it goes” – Kurt Vonnegut

Fave ice cream flavor: Strawberry.

A song that matches up my mood right now: Bloodbath – Eaten

I prefer ….. than ..: I prefer trains to flying on aeroplanes

I have always wanted to: Fly on a hang glider

The most beautiful place i’ve seen so far is: Zakopane, Poland

My favourite Turisas album: The upcoming 4th album

If I did not play the violin, I would choose: To be a writer

I’ve never been to: ( i guess Bulgaria,ha ) In Bulgaria. Yes.

I believe in: I believe in hard work and persistence. Sadly, I do not always follow this principle myself.

And to finish, i always ask people the same question. What would you like to say to Bulgarian fans of Turisas and readers of Metal Hangar 18? 🙂

Thank you so much for the support! Enjoy the summer – get naked, drink some beer, make love and swim but also save some money so you can reward us for the new glorious Turisas album out in August! Haha, take care, see you live soon!