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Following the musical career of Helena Iren Michaelsen is, seen from a journalist's point of view, a fascinating thing. After having her first adventures in bands such as Trail Of Tears and Sahara Dust, the expressive Norwegian singer now has two bands to exorcise her demons. Imperia for the aggressive approach and Angel for total artistic freedom. Recently the debut album of Angel was released 'A Woman's Diary – Chapter I' on which Helena uses her voice in many different ways. Most of us know her by her opera-like vocals, but there is something going on here. What I experienced during this conversation is that Helena is a warm personality. Together we went through a wide range of emotions during this talk and mood was changing from sad and mournful to cheerful and exuberant. The first thing that struck me when I saw her was that her long hair was raven black and curly now. The new look? Or just a one day's decision? We'll see in the near future for the first gig of Angel will be in the Netherlands on the 16th of September in Utrecht (De Helling). That's not that strange at all, because Helena is living in the Netherlands now. Why did you decide to come living in the Netherlands? Because of the audience and music. I see that the audience is listening to music with their hearts and I feel at home. But then you had to gather a new band here in a strange country. Wasn't that hard? It was not hard or difficult. I was talking to different people and now I have really nice people to work with. That is very important. I can trust them. When you have rehearsals, when we have a concert, the band will be there. They are my friends. When I have a problem, I can call. There is a big distance in space, but we feel close in mind. We e-mail or phone. Helena works with the same musicians in Imperia and Angel. These are Jan 'Örkki' Yrlund (ex Lacrimosa, ex Danse Macabre, ex Ancient Rites) on guitar and programming, John Stam (ex Mac 11) on guitars, Gerry Verstreken (ex Manic Movement) on bass, Steve Wolz (Bethlehem) on drums and Audun Gronnestad is responsible for the orchestrations. The album was recorded at the German STUDIO LAB studio with Oliver Phillips and Christian Moos as producers. Now you have two bands. What do you want to express with Imperia and what with Angel? Imperia is more pain. And Angel is more romantic. It is like the two sides from life, the good times and bad times. But in both bands the lyrics are very emotional… Yes, that's the same. From two sides. Imperia is more aggressive and straight. And Angel is more emotional and vulnerable. Imperia has to be more heavy and all the rest can be done with Angel. One of the most emotional songs is 'Mother', an immense beautiful ode to her mother who died by murder. It happened suddenly and yet after some time Helena thinks she is a happy person now… "Because I do what my mother wanted me to do. Many times when I am in a plane, I see her face in the clouds. I feel that she is watching over me." Another song that struck me was 'Darkness'. Can you tell anything about that one? When somebody hits you physically, and they are very strong, you cannot fight back. 'Darkness' is made of the feeling of that. When you lay on the floor and somebody hits you and hits you, you can just wait until it is finished. And somewhere finding your way out by creating your own world. It happened to me. Many times. So I made 'Darkness'. When I sing it, I close my eyes and I see it and I scream. Isn't that difficult to do it on stage in front of an audience? I don't think so, because every time I perform, the movie is there, what happened… Did you really have a diary, in your real life? Yes, I had. But somebody opened it, broke it and from then on I make only lyrics. The album is called 'A Woman's Diary - Chapter I', so I guess it is only a beginning? Yes, a beginning of stories. Things that happened in my life, but not chronological. And always quite straight. Exactly how it is. I am almost ready with new songs, also for the second Imperia album, but the arrangements still have to be made. It will be with the same band again, because I trust them. Why did you took another label then with Imperia? (Angel is released by Black Lotus Records - Vera) They support me so much. They listen to me. The new label is more warm and personal. That's important. They really think about how I work, trying to do the best things for me. I really like them. I went to Greece and I had the time of my life. And I must say, the musicians who I work with now are going for 100% in what they are doing. And in Norway I sometimes stood on a rehearsal and nobody showed up. Just excuses to escape. What would you like to say as the final statement of this interview? She thinks and concludes: "Show your emotions is not a wrong thing, there is nothing to be ashamed of, say it like it is". |
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