Thursday 1.5.2014-Prag, The Czech republic.
I did in fact sleep very good last night, perhaps because of the whisky ;-) I got up before we arrived since we were around 2 hours late.Insteresting load in by the way, the guys had to get all the gear across a busy street since the bus parking was on the opposite side of the club. The club itself is more like a disco or something and it will be interesting to see how they’ll be able to fit the over 700 people that are coming tonight….and oh yeah we don’t have any barriers in front of the stage….jiihaa. Anyways we had dinner at the restaurant next door, didn’t really like it but since I was hugry I did it anyway ;-)
The show was really hot as expected but not too bad despite the place being totally packed. Afterwards we had some burgers from an international burger chain…and of course a couple of beers. Tonight we’ll drive to Vienna, hope we can get some sleep since the roads are kind of bumpy.
Friday 2.5.2014-Vienna, Austria
Didn’t sleep too well but whattahell, we’ll be home in less than a week so I don’t think we need to sleep anymore on this tour ;-) We have played here once before in 2011 so not too long ago by some standards. Tonight’s show is sold out, we got pretty close on a couple of other occasions but this is the only one on this tour that’s officiall sold out. Spent the day enjoying the sun outside until it started to rain. The show went ok as usual, nothing weird happend and nothing broke down so all was well. Pasi & I met up with a friend of ours that we haven’t seen since the turn of the century which was nice. We also recorded some greetings for Roy who runs the fanclub and is having his birthday. Cheers, mate !
…and then it was off to a long drive to Lyon.
Saturday 3.5.2014-Travel Day, Austria-France
Stopped to eat at some point (which was really overpriced shit btw) and in the evening around 2100 we arrived in Lyon, So not too much to tell about sitting in the bus all night and the whole day :-( Anyways some of us went out for a couple of drinks but nothing too exciting.
Sunday 4.5.2014-Lyon, France
Alrighty then, the final 3 and then it’s back home to re-record Ecliptica…and as you’ll see the blog entries get shorter and shorter when the tour is closer to the end. Getting tired and not really have the energy to take walks or do anything else than prepare for the show. Elias did check out his calory consumption and pulse during Vienna and now it was Pasis turn,when the meter says that the expected recovery time is around 30 hours and you play several show in a row it’s no wonder that your body gets tired….and that’s just for Elias & Pasi, imagine how much harder it’s for Tommy. Anyways, back to business as usual. The stage here is a bit tricky so I don’t feel I was at the top of my game and during the show the AC seemed to come on for some reason, drying the air and making it hard for Tony to sing, nevertheless the crowd was good and I think we did a decent job…not perfect but good enough.
Monday 5.5.2014-Barcelona, Spain
Another new venue for us…yay ! Of course it’s situated below ground under a shopping mall and that’s where we parked the bus after some back and forth turning to make it fit. Went for dinner by myself since I needed a short brake from everything and as I was finishing my meal I met a couple of fans and signed their cd’s and took some pics.After a short walk in the sun it was back to the basement ;-) The show went better than last night albeit the stage was very small but that’s the case sometimes. After the show we were in a bit of a hurry once again, to get our showers, pizza and get on the bus. As it turns out we’ve run out of tourmerch, we only have a few items left so check out our webshop if you missed it….
Tuesday 6.5.2014-Madrid, Spain
Our Tour Manager woke everyone up who was sleeping at around 1300 to take our bags and run to the venue. Today is the last show of the tour and of course we have a drop & go so the bus cannot stay anywhere close to the venue, meaning we have to hang out here all day or walk around in the city. I didn’t want to go anywhere so I waited until after the soundcheck and then we all (the band) went for dinner at a Tommy Mell’s restaurant close by, ’50’s style american diner…good food and not too expensive so everyone was happy. After the show the bus will pick us up and then we’ll go to some parking lot for a few hours, where we can finish packing our bags and at 0600 we’ll be dropped off at the airport for the flight home. First we’ll fly to Helsinki and then have some 4-5 hours of waiting before flying up north…like usual whenever we fly outside of Finland the Kemi gang (me, Tony & Tommy) get to enjoy some extra hours at the airport in Helsinki.Boring shit. Well, we still have one more show to enjoy before all that crap so let’s make it count. I wonder if our Italian friends in Trick or Treat have planned any last show tricks for us, that remains to be seen. Maybe well do something during their show….I think we should.Time for a nap before it’s interview-time.
Ok, so because of the small stage we had to play without raisers, so I was more or less stuck in the back, anyways as a last show prank we stormed the stage during Trick & Treat’s set and gave them some stuff….they naturally returned the favour just before the end of our set :-) Back at the bus it was time to do the final packing and have the last chats with the T & T dudes….tried to sleep for a couple of hours…
Wednesday 7.5.2014-Travel Day, Spain-Home
Up just before 0600 and drop off at the Madrid airport, said goodbye to our TM & Merchguy as well as the busdrivers. Slept the whole 4 hour flight to Helsinki…said goodbye to the rest of the guys except for Tony & Tommy with which we got to wait for around 5 hours before our flight home. As I’m writing this we’re still at the airport, trying not to fall asleep. For now we’re done with the touring for 4 weeks and then it’s time for the festival season. I’ll might check in about the progress of the re recording of Ecliptica but for now I’m just looking forward to enjoy the rest of the NHL playoffs as well as the Ice-Hockey World Championship. This tour was once again really cool, a lot of fun and we’re all alive ;-)
until something happends,
cheers,
Henkka
Isn't there a fastest way to get to Kemi? (I don't how long it'd take nor if it exists a train from Helsinki to Kemi, for example).
ReplyDeleteI was wondering: Do you get any worried about food while touring? I mean, if you get any "exotic" dish, it might have really bad consequences...
Anyways, I'm happy you had a good tour; have lots of rest, fun and love at home :)
There are some trains to Kemi but for the most part it's the fastest way to fly, if you want to get there from Helsinki... Worried about food ? not really, sometimes you get into trouble for that but whattahell....
DeleteIt took 8 hours for me & my friend during last christmas holidays. We had to change trains though, twice when going there and once when coming back. We assumed that flying would be much more expensive...
DeleteImportant question: Favourite NHL team? :D
ReplyDeleteAnd I am so glad you enjoyed Prague, it was great to meet you :)
The New York Rangers !
DeleteGreat, I like them too :D But Boston Bruins are number one for me :D Thanks for the answer :)
DeleteAny tour that ends with everybody alive is a success! ;) Now you guys get some rest. I mean, damn, 30 hours of recovery per show. I don't think I could handle that kind of rhythm in a million years, despite having done hardcore convention work in my heydays, lol
ReplyDeleteI saw the video of you guys invading the ToT stage - nice dance moves ;) Were the little trophies for something specific, or just because?
For now, welcome back on Finnish land, spring has started while you were away! See you in a month :D
I'd say just because...it says Sonata Arctica & Trick or Treat 2014 on the trophies..
DeleteAww, cute :)
DeleteHey Henkka,
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to see you again in such a short time but in Lyon instead of Paris.
During the set, you sometimes seemed a little bit "spacey" and spoke many times to Tommy. But show was great, so yeah you did the job ;)
And in my opinion, it was better in Lyon than in Paris because the acoustics weren't very goods in the Bataclan and it was hard to hear Tony at times.
It was nice too to exchange a few words with you, even if you seemed extra tired and even if my english sucks (and I hope, even if I annoyed you about hearing you speaking french).
Enjoy your time back home and take care !
I'm so happy you're well and "alive". I wish you good and deserved rest. You must know we will never EVER forget what all the band give us in each gig. Here we'll be, always waiting for see you again. A huge hug, from Argentina :-) . Sil.
ReplyDeleteI was one of the lucky ones I enjoy your presence and live in Madrid Sala Arena. A BRUTAL concert, loved it and I already have the time we meet again ... But next time do not give many turns around, then you have just very tired ;p
ReplyDeleteTo see more, we'll be in touch.
Kisses
Tervetuloa kotiin! Onko kesän festarit jo julkaistu tai onko tietoa ylettyykö suomen klubikeikat hamassa tulevaisuudessa taas tänne itään? :) Bloodin, Half of a marathon manin yms haluaisin kuulla livenä...
ReplyDeleteSuomen Klubikeikkoja työstetään parhaillaan ja julkaistaan sitten sitä mukaan ku varmistuu joten...malttia ;-)
DeleteTuli tässä vaiheessa muuten outo flashbacki että Tony olisi mennyt lupailemaan välispiikissä paluuta Kerubiin... Saas nähdä ;)
DeleteYou guys were amazing in Barcelona! Unfortunately I waited untill the end of the show to buy the tour T-Shirt and there were none left :( I've asked the online shop and they won't sell this ones... However, I'll always remember the day! Thanks for coming down here to Spain so we could enjoy your beautiful compositions ;)
ReplyDeleteYou travel a lot, I envy you, :P how are you all? some of you were sick? I hoper you're better :D hugs :)
ReplyDeleteI think we're all good, at least we were when we came home ;-) I didn't get sick at all on this tour which is a bit unusual but I'll take it.
Delete:D good to know that! take care! :)
DeleteHi :) have you ever tasted some Italian wines? What do you think about them?
ReplyDeletecheers!
Yeah, I've tasted all of them ;-) As usual some are good and some are not, in fact we got some very nice ones from the Trick & Treat guys when we were in Trezzo...unfortunately I forgot the name :-(
Deletehow can you have tasted all of them? D: we have hundreds of different wines in Italy :)
DeleteDid you notice the ;-) after...all of them ?
Deleteno, I didn't, sorry :)
Deleteno worrries :-)
DeleteTell your webmaster that the lyrics of the 2nd chorus in Larger Than Life are wrong xD Tony doesn't sing "My friends all have families who now have their families" there :P
ReplyDeleteCheers dude! Good thing you are ok after this tour! Keep on rocking
I'll try to remember to check up on that ;-) thx !
DeletePssst, apparently The Book is already starting to be up for preorder ;)
ReplyDeletehttps://www.booky.fi/tuote/marko_j/sonata_arctica/9789522990075
So now I have four months to get my reading comprehension up a level....will I make it? LOL
Alrighty then, didn't know that, thanks for the info !
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking about starting playing keyboards.. Can you give me some advice to start well?
ReplyDeleteI'd suggest you find yourself a teacher to get you started...
DeleteI don't have much money now, so I'd want to try learning to play keyboards on my own :) is there anything I can do to start well without a teacher?
Deletesorry if i'm butting in here.
DeleteIf you're still in school, try talking to the music teacher(s). even if keyboards aren't taught in their classes, there's a good chance they'll know someone that could give you lessons.(and a good chance whoever they recommend is actually good at teaching the fundamentals. a lot of people that offer lessons think that just because they're decent at doing something, means they're automatically good at teaching it).
Thanks for butting in ;-) that's actually a really good idea...it's been awhile since I was in school so I didn't think of this...as far as starting on your own, I'd start looking online for free beginners lessons...like on youtube or something. However with keyboards I think it's important to get the basics right so that's why I'd go with a teacher in the beginning if it's by any means possible...good luck !
DeleteI'm still studing, but unluckily there aren't music teachers in my school :-( So I think I'll look for some lessons on the internet and try to find someone that can teach me the fundamentals as soon as possible :-)
Deletethanks for the advice :-)
ah man, I was afraid you'd say your school didn't have a music teacher. Good luck with learning :)
Delete(trying to learn drums, myself, and hoping I'll get a chance to play marimba again)
thanks :)
DeleteHey Henkka!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy your time off and everything's well and dandy :) You seriously earned it!
I guess it's Tony's birthday today, hope you're celebrating :)
Some guys over on facebook in the Sonata Arctica fangroup had an idea two days ago, to maybe make a video for him to show him love from all over the world :D So we moved heaven and hell and here it is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53bj94VWmX0
Guess someone'll post it to the band's twitter, but I don't know if he'll see it there. It would really mean the world to us if you could maybe show it to him :)
There's another idea already brewing to thank all of you guys for 15 years of awesome music... so you see, even the fans can prepare some surprises for your anniversary ;)
Many thanks in advance! And we'll try to come up with something good for you too ;)
Cheers,
Maria
Alrighty then, it looks really great, I'll make sure he sees it !!
DeleteThank you!!
DeleteHope you all have a nice time with your families :) Don't let them wear you out, or something like that...
Waiting patiently for all that awesome stuff that's to come this year ;)
Just saw the announcement about Jukkis leaving SV :( I'm sorry (and quite heartbroken I'll never see him play now). End of an era.
ReplyDeleteHi Henkka! I don't need to tell you how good you are at what you do. I'll just say I enjoy listening. Finally I'll get to see you guys in action in Montreal in September.
ReplyDeleteI just read your favorite NHL team is the NY Rangers! Hows about a little bet? if my favorite team (Mtl Canadiens) win the series against yours, you have to wear a Canadiens t-shirt throughout the whole concert. ;-) Hope all is well!
Well, I think that's sort of a one-sided bet, if/when NYR wins against the Habs what do I get ? ;-)
DeleteThis series just got even more important to me than it already was :-) NY can't have you in an Habs shirt Henkka (haha)!
DeleteDo they show the full games live in Finland or do you watch online or through highlights? (The time difference probably makes it difficult to show and to stay up for) but I hope you've been able to watch all the action since the tour ended.
Cheers and Let's Go Rangers!
I have some paid channels that shows all the NHL games in full but since they mostly air in the middle of the night I prefer to watch the re-runs in the morning, just have to remember not to check the scores online when I wake up ;-)
DeleteHa! It appears you're right!...Ok, how about if NYR manage to eliminate the Habs, I will change my facebook and twitter avatars to the NYR logo for one day, and I will tweet anything you wish regarding Sonata Arctica once a week(weekday of the win) until the NHL playoffs are done. How does that sound? :-)
ReplyDeleteBtw, who is your favorite player?
Apart from following the Finnish guys in NHL I've really enjoyed how Mats Zuccarello has been playing this season...but of course there are a bunch of players out there that I like to watch...like Marian Gaborik for example...on the night when he decided to show up and not just be there. I have to think about that bet since no matter how much I would love to see you have a NYR logo as your avatar there is a slight chance that I'd have to wear the Montreal jersey on stage and somehow that might be too much for me to take ;-)
DeleteHello, Henkka!
ReplyDeleteThis is a present for Tony, made with pencils. Many successes from Argentina!
http://oi60.tinypic.com/1qpumg.jpg
Amazing work ! Looks really great, cheers !
Delete¡Muchas gracias!
DeleteWow! Two Rangers fans against one little Habs fan. @Tyler, behave yourself and stop trying to influence Henkka, lol!
ReplyDeleteWell, since your team has won the first two games and our #1 goalie is out with an injury...there is a very good chance you won't have to wear the Habs T...or do you have a suggestion for another wager? Think of how happy you'll make the majority of your Montreal fans if you walk out on stage with your keytar in a Habs T, Henkka! :-)...hey, but if you want to decline that's fine. I guess the excitement of the playoffs and eliminating one of our worst rivals (Boston) in the second round got to me. Btw, one of my favorite players outside the Habs is ironically Tuukka Rask. He should be on our team, hehe. ;-)
Enjoy the game tomorrow night! Allons y Habs!!!
Hola!
ReplyDeleteHey guy Well i am officially impressed by the new album (Pariah's Child)
Waiting for this Sonata Arctica will play in San Juan, Puerto Rico on the 17th of October 2014!!! few days before your birthday! so hope you enjoy ! cheers! \m/ some white wine!? =) or wants some Coronitas?
anyway which one is your favorite beer or wine?
Eyphan Izil
I don't really have a "best ever favourite" beer or wine, I prefer dry white wine and of beers I think two of the best ones are Karhu and Sandels, both finnish ones...don't mind a Corona or Coronita every once in a while though ;-)
ReplyDelete