I really like these small Bombardier planes. They take speed much faster than
the big ones but of course there’s not too much space inside. But it feels like
a little school trip flying with them. Sure my favorite planeis the old school
MD82, the rocket that goes almost straight up from the runway, but due to
environment regulations, those planes are not that popularin Europe anymore. Ok,
that’s all about planes….
It was so nice being home for two nights. I first thought I’d skip Finland
and I’d stay in a hotel somewhere in Germany over the weekend, but actually it
was really nice going home for 36 hours. It’s getting cold in Finland already
but just to have your own sofa and your own bed feels so safe. And I finally
watched the first two episodes of the Voice of Germany lastnight. It took a full
bottle of Baron De Ley- red wine, but actually the show wasn’t that bad. I
usually don’t like to watch myself on TV, but this time with the help of the
wine, it was ok. It’s amazing to see all the stories from behind the stage and
all the family stuff and all. What you see on the show from the chair, are just
the performances and that’s all. I really gotta take more time with my German
now. As the live shows start on the last weekend of November, I gotta do better
than that! But I must say I love The Voice show and I am so happy I decided to
take the job even if I hesitated in the beginning.It’s been one of the best
experiences in my life.
The other top experience in my life has been the release and the launch of
the new album. Pooohhhhh… It’s finally out and I am so damn proudof it. This
album was a very tough ride again, as it should be, but as I drovein Helsinki
yesterday and listened through the whole album, I felt super good. Usually I
need at least a month or two before I can listen to the whole album without
shaky hands, but now it worked. Or maybe that’s a bad sign, who knows.
Anyways, I gotta say that even if the moments in studio were sometimes tricky
and especially in the last weeks we had to make decisions in ten seconds, I feel
it went pretty right. The last mix was approved at our brother band Bead Sirius
3000’s backstage with Apple headphones. Not the pro way but it worked.
It’s so nice to see that there are many favorites and it’s not only one track
that hits the heart of some listeners. Of course we can’t please everybody, but
hey, everyone listens to what they like. Honestly, for me, Unholy Ground is the
best Sunrise Avenue album ever. I am one proud papa.
The last two weeks we have been promoting the album in Germany, Switzerland
and Austria. Gladly Riku joined for some of the days for some acoustic
performances on the way so our manager Manager-Mikko didn’t only have to look at
my boring face on the road. Actually now were flying to Cologne with Riku and
Mikko. We will play at this morning TV show tomorrow VERY early (I am Not a
morning person and the pick up is 05:45!!) and I just hope we can fall asleep
tonight. It’s always quite easy getting up early, but when you have to wait,
wait and wait for your stage time at the very warm TV studio, you get sleepy.
But usually adrenaline does the job for you, so we should manage.Usually we have
this rule that I don’t sing before 9AM because it’s hard for the throat
especially with all the traveling, but now we must make exceptions because we’re
promoting the new baby.
After the morning TV we will continue our promo trip somewhere with Manager
Mikko for the rest of the week. I haven’t seen this week’s promo program yet,
but I bet the days are as full as the last two weeks. I counted one day last
week that I did eight interviews but the same day I sat 9 hours in the car and
in the plane. So I finally actually have a sitting job ;) I must say I am very
happy how things are going with Universal Music. There’s always a tiny risk when
almost the whole team changes, but this time everything is going smoother than
ever. We’re usually always in a hurry to the next city or the next place, but at
least the going doesn’t get too boring.
Riku will fly home tomorrow after the TV and we will do the last German promo
week with Mr. Manager. Poor Mikko. I’ve been so tired some afternoons that I
can’t be too good company. It’s all about choices. You decided to be a manager,
muahahhahha ;) Next week we’ll all be back in Finland with the band boys and we
can start planning the small acoustic and other performances we’re gonna make
this year. And of course we’re also planning the tour starting in February. I
hope our dear bass player Raul found some cool new stage toys in London at the
live show expo where they went together with our lightning designer Timo.
Anyways. Thank you everyone for all the great support and feedback. Even
though we’ve released albums before, there are still the same excitement
butterflies in our stomachs with the new baby. It’s nice to be a bit nervous. It
makes you feel alive ;)
Hugs & See you soon,
Samu
PS. My favorite ice hockey team Helsinki IFK are doing so bad right now. But
since I am a true fan, I will support them until the end of time, no matter how
bad the numbers are on screen. I really hope it gets better or we all know heads
will start to fall. Soon…
the big ones but of course there’s not too much space inside. But it feels like
a little school trip flying with them. Sure my favorite planeis the old school
MD82, the rocket that goes almost straight up from the runway, but due to
environment regulations, those planes are not that popularin Europe anymore. Ok,
that’s all about planes….
It was so nice being home for two nights. I first thought I’d skip Finland
and I’d stay in a hotel somewhere in Germany over the weekend, but actually it
was really nice going home for 36 hours. It’s getting cold in Finland already
but just to have your own sofa and your own bed feels so safe. And I finally
watched the first two episodes of the Voice of Germany lastnight. It took a full
bottle of Baron De Ley- red wine, but actually the show wasn’t that bad. I
usually don’t like to watch myself on TV, but this time with the help of the
wine, it was ok. It’s amazing to see all the stories from behind the stage and
all the family stuff and all. What you see on the show from the chair, are just
the performances and that’s all. I really gotta take more time with my German
now. As the live shows start on the last weekend of November, I gotta do better
than that! But I must say I love The Voice show and I am so happy I decided to
take the job even if I hesitated in the beginning.It’s been one of the best
experiences in my life.
The other top experience in my life has been the release and the launch of
the new album. Pooohhhhh… It’s finally out and I am so damn proudof it. This
album was a very tough ride again, as it should be, but as I drovein Helsinki
yesterday and listened through the whole album, I felt super good. Usually I
need at least a month or two before I can listen to the whole album without
shaky hands, but now it worked. Or maybe that’s a bad sign, who knows.
Anyways, I gotta say that even if the moments in studio were sometimes tricky
and especially in the last weeks we had to make decisions in ten seconds, I feel
it went pretty right. The last mix was approved at our brother band Bead Sirius
3000’s backstage with Apple headphones. Not the pro way but it worked.
It’s so nice to see that there are many favorites and it’s not only one track
that hits the heart of some listeners. Of course we can’t please everybody, but
hey, everyone listens to what they like. Honestly, for me, Unholy Ground is the
best Sunrise Avenue album ever. I am one proud papa.
The last two weeks we have been promoting the album in Germany, Switzerland
and Austria. Gladly Riku joined for some of the days for some acoustic
performances on the way so our manager Manager-Mikko didn’t only have to look at
my boring face on the road. Actually now were flying to Cologne with Riku and
Mikko. We will play at this morning TV show tomorrow VERY early (I am Not a
morning person and the pick up is 05:45!!) and I just hope we can fall asleep
tonight. It’s always quite easy getting up early, but when you have to wait,
wait and wait for your stage time at the very warm TV studio, you get sleepy.
But usually adrenaline does the job for you, so we should manage.Usually we have
this rule that I don’t sing before 9AM because it’s hard for the throat
especially with all the traveling, but now we must make exceptions because we’re
promoting the new baby.
After the morning TV we will continue our promo trip somewhere with Manager
Mikko for the rest of the week. I haven’t seen this week’s promo program yet,
but I bet the days are as full as the last two weeks. I counted one day last
week that I did eight interviews but the same day I sat 9 hours in the car and
in the plane. So I finally actually have a sitting job ;) I must say I am very
happy how things are going with Universal Music. There’s always a tiny risk when
almost the whole team changes, but this time everything is going smoother than
ever. We’re usually always in a hurry to the next city or the next place, but at
least the going doesn’t get too boring.
Riku will fly home tomorrow after the TV and we will do the last German promo
week with Mr. Manager. Poor Mikko. I’ve been so tired some afternoons that I
can’t be too good company. It’s all about choices. You decided to be a manager,
muahahhahha ;) Next week we’ll all be back in Finland with the band boys and we
can start planning the small acoustic and other performances we’re gonna make
this year. And of course we’re also planning the tour starting in February. I
hope our dear bass player Raul found some cool new stage toys in London at the
live show expo where they went together with our lightning designer Timo.
Anyways. Thank you everyone for all the great support and feedback. Even
though we’ve released albums before, there are still the same excitement
butterflies in our stomachs with the new baby. It’s nice to be a bit nervous. It
makes you feel alive ;)
Hugs & See you soon,
Samu
PS. My favorite ice hockey team Helsinki IFK are doing so bad right now. But
since I am a true fan, I will support them until the end of time, no matter how
bad the numbers are on screen. I really hope it gets better or we all know heads
will start to fall. Soon…