Tuomas Holopainen of Nightwish was interviewed on YleX radio in Finland today. He said he thinks that after the band had to cancel the planned North American tour last year, there was left a "big hole" in the American market for their music.
He also thought that it might be a good idea to make the first tour with the new singer in the USA, because it would give them a chance to drive her in with the band by playing at small venues and in front of crowds that are not too familiar with Nightwish before taking her face to face with the hardcore European and South American fans in big arenas and festivals.
While listening to Holopainen, I got the impression that he was really considering that as a serious alternative, even he said that they have no idea about the new singer yet, and he would be happy to find her by the end if this year. There is no lack of applicants: They have received over 700 demos from all over the world already, and still 15-20 keep arriving every day.
Anyway, he has got 15 new songs made on demo, and they will start recording them on September 15th even if they haven't decided about the singer by the time. She will be needed only next January or February to do her parts on the new album.
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