During an interview on the Brazilian podcast Ibagenscast , Tarja Turunen , former vocalist of Nightwish , stated clearly: she doesn't miss her time in the band. "The music continues to live in my heart and in the world. That will never change. But, honestly, I don't miss the rest," declared the singer, who fronted the group's vocals between 1996 and 2005.
Since starting her solo career, Tarja has dedicated herself to a more personal and balanced path. “Happiness is everything to me. Today I make a point of working with happy people around me. When that joy is lacking, the music loses its meaning and begins to corrode you from the inside,” she explained. The artist emphasized that her first love has always been music—and that she can only truly express herself when she lives in harmony with that feeling.
Tarja's future is already underway. She confirmed that she is working on a new rock album, the successor to In The Raw (2019). Although she is still fulfilling her tour schedule until September, she plans to begin writing the lyrics that same month, in parallel with the album's production. "I'm excited. I believe the fans will love the result," she said.
Tarja left Nightwish in 2005 after receiving an open letter published on the band's official website. The letter indicated that money and professional interests had become more important than personal ties. Years later, Tarja stated that the way everything happened made it clear that her former bandmates were not true friends. "Maybe I'll forgive them someday, but forgetting isn't part of the plan," she said.
The reunion with Marko Hietala
Even after a reunion with bassist Marko Hietala in 2017, she dismissed any chance of a comeback. “Fans dream about it, I understand, but I see it as something distant. I'm in contact with Tuomas [Holopainen] , but we haven't seen each other in years. The past is done, it can't be changed,” she added.
The singer was also involved in a legal process when her husband, Marcelo Cabuli, filed a defamation lawsuit against the authors of Nightwish's official biography. However, the Finnish courts dismissed the lawsuit in 2011.
Currently, Tarja continues touring and is preparing her next musical phase with enthusiasm and creative freedom — a combination that, according to her, she never had in her former group.
Special performance in São Paulo will feature a live orchestra.
Tarja Turunen continues her tour in Brazil this week alongside Marko Hietala, former bassist and vocalist of Nightwish. In São Paulo, the performance takes place on May 24th at the Tokio Marine Hall, and will feature an exciting addition: a live orchestra on stage, accompanying the two artists.
The setlist promises memorable moments for fans, featuring hits from Tarja and Marko's solo careers, as well as reinterpretations of classics from their Nightwish era. This is the second time the former members have shared the stage in Brazil in a collaborative project, although the previous year's tour had some cancellations due to the singer's health problems. The tour has already passed through Curitiba and Belo Horizonte and will also visit Porto Alegre.
According to the organizers, the fusion of symphonic rock and classical music will be one of the highlights of the show. Tickets are on sale and a full house is expected.
The full interview follows:
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