Timo Tolkki is possibly the second most iconic individual in European power metal, up there with Kai Hansen and the much later blooming whippersnapper Tobias Sammet! Probably one of the first Finnish musicians to make it big in metal, the former Stratovarius guitarist, sometimes singer and main composer, reached Stratospheric heights with that band, almost rivaling Helloween at their peak, both creatively as well as commercially. Things did go pear shaped after an ambitious dual album, when friction over the forthcoming album and how it should be released, caused a huge rift within the band’s ranks and after many incidents the exit of Tolkki from the band. He went on to form a couple of all-star projects like Revolution Renaissance (with who he released the album that Strato had demoed but never released, with the aid of people like Kiske, Tobias and more) and Symfonia, which featured members of Angra, Sonata Arctica and Helloween, but never quite managed to match the same level of fame that his former band enjoyed. They did soldier on, but have proven to be a shadow of themselves as well, with the audiences shrinking considerably in size. A sign of the times? Timo here answers candidly about a lot of things, not evading even some “difficult” questions about the times since his departure and his future plans.
Timo hello and congrats on your return to the stage!
T: Thank you! Actually looking forward to this!
What prompted you to want to do this “best of” tour now?
T: Well it was the 20th anniversary of Visions and I was looking back at all I have done in the past, I‘ve spend about half of my adult life doing this and I got the itch to perform live again. I really wanted to throw some rocks into the water, so to speak and see if anyone is interested, so here we are!
Are all your bands/projects beside Stratovarius going to be represented?
T: Most are people that I had the pleasure of performing with in the past and I know how good they are and that I can work with them, efficiently. Mike, I found through the covers he did and seemed to have a good voice, hitting all the notes and stuff and was humble enough, so I thought why not, he’ll be a good fit!
What were your criteria in picking the musicians that are going to be performing with you?
T: Most are people that I had the pleasure of performing with and I know how good they are and that I can work with them; Mike, I found through the covers he did and seemed to have a good voice, hitting all the notes and stuff and was humble enough, so I thought why not, he’ll be a good fit!
You did seem to have a falling out with Santtu, publically in the past – but now he’s performing with you, how come?
T: I’ve worked with him a lot in the past and we both have strong opinions, he challenges my views often – and I do like that. It was all silly “squabbles” and we‘re very good friends. Actually when you can still be friends with people after an argument, it shows that there’s a lot of mutual respect. Plus he’s a fantastic musician, teaching in one of the biggest Finish academies.
Why did Revolution Renaissance & Symfonia fall apart?
T: That’s quite the question. I would say to avoid a long boring and complicated answer that after a promising start, there was a lack of interest and the public didn’t quite embrace them all with the same fervor. Also logistic problems (with people living in different places and not able to perform live when needed didn’t help much)…
Is Avalon still a going concern?
T: Yes. I’m writing songs for the 3rd part, without a set deadline just yet. After the tour and certain considerations about when certain things are to happen, there should be a clearer timeframe. It would also be nice to try and tour it, with an all-star ensemble of musicians.
There are a couple of projects that never materialized ie: Credo and Return To Dreamspace? Why did these fall apart?
T: Well, Symfonia happened. The chance to do that did override those 2 projects, schedules clashed and it caused them to fall apart. It’s not entirely sure what may come of those, but right now the focus is on doing this tour and celebrating all these great songs with the fans out there and trying to have a good time, without stressing too much. Then we will see what comes next.
The announced dates are just a handful? Are there going to be more?
T: There are some festivals in the Summer (ie More Than Fest in August) and another leg of the European tour after that with many more dates – covering all of Central and North Europe and maybe some other places, provided they can be reached with the tour bus. We also are beginning to get proposals from outside of Europe, so everything is carefully considered. We’re booking shows right now, so any interested promoters, should get in touch.
What are your fondest memories from your times with Stratovarius... and what was the saddest moment?
T: Cool tour with Visions. That was like 60 gigs around the world – the band at its peak, we even recorded “Visions of Europe” in Athens & Milan! It was one of the best times… the way it all ended though, wasn’t great.
What is your proudest achievement – ie favorite moment of the career?
T: Again the same, the band peaking after “Episode”, with “Visions” was such a highlight. Great album, great tour, great response. But I think all eras and all experiences have their own importance as they make us who we are. I try to take the good with the bad, as it happens, but looking back that was an exceptionally good time all around that I remember very fondly!
What really happened back then? Was it more business or personal? And has the absence from touring as much and being that active helped you relax and re-evaluate things?
T: Wow, the million dollar (?!) question! It depends on the angle you look at it from. Perspective. Things had gotten bad, on certain levels and the passion the interest wasn’t there. So I left – think about it. I had invested a large portion of my life and energy in that band and it wasn’t giving me joy. That should say something. Getting the time off, has helped a lot, I was able to medicate, to think about things and “to live” without the constant pressures of that life style, but you know – once you‘re born a musician – you can’t just let go.
Do you have any regrets?
T: Serious ones? No. Certain things you can always do differently and sometimes you wish you had done, but let the past be in the past and bygones be bygones. Let’s look into the future, from here on.
Any unfulfilled desires/dreams?
T: Again not really. I’m trying to live in the now.
Is there any chance of reconciliation (between you and the Stratovarius band)? You had Jens perform in your projects…
T: We’ve seen stranger things happen but honestly, I don’t think so. They would have to pick up the phone and we‘d have to resolve a lot of things, but let’s focus on being happy. As long as you’re happy that’s what counts.
Have you ever gone to see Stratovarius w/o you?
T: No. What’s the point? I was there in countless with them! Would probably feel weird.
You’ve been into music for a long time and after 2000 and especially in recent years – sales have really slumped and even live performances are often “sold” as packages, so it’s a lot more difficult for smaller bands or people who are not “happening” to survive – what’s your take on the scene etc…
T: The scene today is largely “dead”. It used to be really strong and people were passionate and following up artists etc. There’s still things happening but it’s not on the same level. Not even close. The focus has moved away from music and more towards spectacle these days. It’s not a bad thing to be spectacular, but music should be the main focus. Also with the whole world economy affected things are not the best, but let’s face it, the listening habits have changed drastically. Back in the day people would buy the albums and play them till their copies would fall apart. Now you can download something in a second – you don’t invest yourself as much. And with artists, when you pour yourself in the “albums” and you hardly make the investment back… it makes things shrink more and more. Recording budgets, if you have one, touring budgets etc.
What people don’t seem to realize is that touring can be pretty expensive. But the average fan doesn’t care about the reality of having to pay the musicians, soundmen, etc., so sometimes they oversimplify things. There are a few nice labels like Frontiers and a few other keep the flame alive by releasing quality products and trying their best in a changing and often hostile market and there are the live shows that still keep things going on some level, but it’s smaller. Think about the last time you heard something that really excited you; in the 80s it was very often, even in the 90s there were a lot of great new bands. Now there are so many bands out there, but really very few stand out and even fewer are “original” or at least mature into something special. I was extremely fortunate to get “famous” when I did and of course I am grateful to all the fans that have followed me through the years for their continued support.
Are you going to consider doing an album with this line up – if it proves to be “road-worthy” and there’s enough interest?
T: If there’s interest and a good proposal, it’s quite possible. I got some nice power metal ideas, at the back of my head, so let’s see how it all goes and you‘ll hear about it, I guess if it all comes to fruition.
Also could we expect you singing a song or any of the old members making a (not so surprise) appearance?
T: Been years since I’ve sung and it’s been a while since I spoke to them guys, but we’ll have to wait and see...
Is music still your “Dreamspace”?
T: That and my wife and family are my “Dreamspace”.
Finally please send a message to your Greek (and international) fans!
T: Thanks for your support and see you all on tour!!!
T: Thank you! Actually looking forward to this!
What prompted you to want to do this “best of” tour now?
T: Well it was the 20th anniversary of Visions and I was looking back at all I have done in the past, I‘ve spend about half of my adult life doing this and I got the itch to perform live again. I really wanted to throw some rocks into the water, so to speak and see if anyone is interested, so here we are!
Are all your bands/projects beside Stratovarius going to be represented?
T: Most are people that I had the pleasure of performing with in the past and I know how good they are and that I can work with them, efficiently. Mike, I found through the covers he did and seemed to have a good voice, hitting all the notes and stuff and was humble enough, so I thought why not, he’ll be a good fit!
What were your criteria in picking the musicians that are going to be performing with you?
T: Most are people that I had the pleasure of performing with and I know how good they are and that I can work with them; Mike, I found through the covers he did and seemed to have a good voice, hitting all the notes and stuff and was humble enough, so I thought why not, he’ll be a good fit!
You did seem to have a falling out with Santtu, publically in the past – but now he’s performing with you, how come?
T: I’ve worked with him a lot in the past and we both have strong opinions, he challenges my views often – and I do like that. It was all silly “squabbles” and we‘re very good friends. Actually when you can still be friends with people after an argument, it shows that there’s a lot of mutual respect. Plus he’s a fantastic musician, teaching in one of the biggest Finish academies.
Why did Revolution Renaissance & Symfonia fall apart?
T: That’s quite the question. I would say to avoid a long boring and complicated answer that after a promising start, there was a lack of interest and the public didn’t quite embrace them all with the same fervor. Also logistic problems (with people living in different places and not able to perform live when needed didn’t help much)…
Is Avalon still a going concern?
T: Yes. I’m writing songs for the 3rd part, without a set deadline just yet. After the tour and certain considerations about when certain things are to happen, there should be a clearer timeframe. It would also be nice to try and tour it, with an all-star ensemble of musicians.
There are a couple of projects that never materialized ie: Credo and Return To Dreamspace? Why did these fall apart?
T: Well, Symfonia happened. The chance to do that did override those 2 projects, schedules clashed and it caused them to fall apart. It’s not entirely sure what may come of those, but right now the focus is on doing this tour and celebrating all these great songs with the fans out there and trying to have a good time, without stressing too much. Then we will see what comes next.
The announced dates are just a handful? Are there going to be more?
T: There are some festivals in the Summer (ie More Than Fest in August) and another leg of the European tour after that with many more dates – covering all of Central and North Europe and maybe some other places, provided they can be reached with the tour bus. We also are beginning to get proposals from outside of Europe, so everything is carefully considered. We’re booking shows right now, so any interested promoters, should get in touch.
What are your fondest memories from your times with Stratovarius... and what was the saddest moment?
T: Cool tour with Visions. That was like 60 gigs around the world – the band at its peak, we even recorded “Visions of Europe” in Athens & Milan! It was one of the best times… the way it all ended though, wasn’t great.
What is your proudest achievement – ie favorite moment of the career?
T: Again the same, the band peaking after “Episode”, with “Visions” was such a highlight. Great album, great tour, great response. But I think all eras and all experiences have their own importance as they make us who we are. I try to take the good with the bad, as it happens, but looking back that was an exceptionally good time all around that I remember very fondly!
What really happened back then? Was it more business or personal? And has the absence from touring as much and being that active helped you relax and re-evaluate things?
T: Wow, the million dollar (?!) question! It depends on the angle you look at it from. Perspective. Things had gotten bad, on certain levels and the passion the interest wasn’t there. So I left – think about it. I had invested a large portion of my life and energy in that band and it wasn’t giving me joy. That should say something. Getting the time off, has helped a lot, I was able to medicate, to think about things and “to live” without the constant pressures of that life style, but you know – once you‘re born a musician – you can’t just let go.
Do you have any regrets?
T: Serious ones? No. Certain things you can always do differently and sometimes you wish you had done, but let the past be in the past and bygones be bygones. Let’s look into the future, from here on.
Any unfulfilled desires/dreams?
T: Again not really. I’m trying to live in the now.
Is there any chance of reconciliation (between you and the Stratovarius band)? You had Jens perform in your projects…
T: We’ve seen stranger things happen but honestly, I don’t think so. They would have to pick up the phone and we‘d have to resolve a lot of things, but let’s focus on being happy. As long as you’re happy that’s what counts.
Have you ever gone to see Stratovarius w/o you?
T: No. What’s the point? I was there in countless with them! Would probably feel weird.
You’ve been into music for a long time and after 2000 and especially in recent years – sales have really slumped and even live performances are often “sold” as packages, so it’s a lot more difficult for smaller bands or people who are not “happening” to survive – what’s your take on the scene etc…
T: The scene today is largely “dead”. It used to be really strong and people were passionate and following up artists etc. There’s still things happening but it’s not on the same level. Not even close. The focus has moved away from music and more towards spectacle these days. It’s not a bad thing to be spectacular, but music should be the main focus. Also with the whole world economy affected things are not the best, but let’s face it, the listening habits have changed drastically. Back in the day people would buy the albums and play them till their copies would fall apart. Now you can download something in a second – you don’t invest yourself as much. And with artists, when you pour yourself in the “albums” and you hardly make the investment back… it makes things shrink more and more. Recording budgets, if you have one, touring budgets etc.
What people don’t seem to realize is that touring can be pretty expensive. But the average fan doesn’t care about the reality of having to pay the musicians, soundmen, etc., so sometimes they oversimplify things. There are a few nice labels like Frontiers and a few other keep the flame alive by releasing quality products and trying their best in a changing and often hostile market and there are the live shows that still keep things going on some level, but it’s smaller. Think about the last time you heard something that really excited you; in the 80s it was very often, even in the 90s there were a lot of great new bands. Now there are so many bands out there, but really very few stand out and even fewer are “original” or at least mature into something special. I was extremely fortunate to get “famous” when I did and of course I am grateful to all the fans that have followed me through the years for their continued support.
Are you going to consider doing an album with this line up – if it proves to be “road-worthy” and there’s enough interest?
T: If there’s interest and a good proposal, it’s quite possible. I got some nice power metal ideas, at the back of my head, so let’s see how it all goes and you‘ll hear about it, I guess if it all comes to fruition.
Also could we expect you singing a song or any of the old members making a (not so surprise) appearance?
T: Been years since I’ve sung and it’s been a while since I spoke to them guys, but we’ll have to wait and see...
Is music still your “Dreamspace”?
T: That and my wife and family are my “Dreamspace”.
Finally please send a message to your Greek (and international) fans!
T: Thanks for your support and see you all on tour!!!