Rock Overdose and Dimitris Aloras came in touch with Timo Tolkki a few days before his upcoming gigs in Greece. The Finnish guitar virtuoso was very short in his answers, and despite not answering enough stuff that we asked him, he expressed positively for his fans, he showcased that it needs hard work to succeed in music and characterized our fellow Greek mate Mike Livas as very promising singer.
Rock Overdose: First of all, it's a joy that we can talk with you. We'd like to know how you took the decision to proceed to this tour and which are your expectations at the current moment.
Timo Tolkki: I expect nice time with my friends and fans.
Rock Overdose: All people have connected you mainly with Stratovarius, but I personally found great interest and really loved the Revolution Renaissance, Symphonia and Avalon albums you did afterwards. Are you satisfied with these albums and how did people treat them through the years?
Timo Tolkki: When I leave the album , I am completely satisfied with it. I don’t listen to my albums that much though. I'm more into Xmas music and a band called Mannheimer Steamrollers. Do you know them?
Rock Overdose: You were always the mainman in what you did. Lyricist, composer, producer, guitarist, vocalist and many other things which I can't even imagine. What was the most demanding of all and how much will and patience did you have back in the day to combine them all together in the best possible way?
Timo Tolkki: The most difficult has been Revolution Renaissance Age of Aquarius, but is also once the most dear ones for me.
Rock Overdose: I consider your first personal album ''Classical Variations And Themes'' one of the most important things you ever did. How did you feel that it was your first release with your name instead of the band's? A dream coming true maybe? And how do you see it now, 23 years after its release, without this meaning that the other two personal albums are less important?
Timo Tolkki: It's a nice album but I don’t like it that much.
Rock Overdose: Many people have missed your singing all these years. I don't know how easy or difficult it was for you to do it combined with playing the guitar, but is there a chance we could see you sing on this tour? You once did it in Greece on the ''Destiny'' tour due to special occasion.
Timo Tolkki: We have to wait and see what happens...
Rock Overdose: We'd like a few words for the band that accompanies you for the tour. We want to know with which criteria they were picked and if they share the same passion you always had in your career.
Timo Tolkki: Mikko and Santtu,i know them for years. And Alex as well. Mike Livas I got to know through the internet. Very promising young vocalist.
Rock Overdose: Needless to say, you have been one of the most beloved persons regarding musicians in our country. You have honoured us with a live album recorded here in the past, and we know you come quite often even for short spaces. What was it that attracted you to Greece and how do you feel that people still support you, even when you did things not regarding Stratovarius?
Timo Tolkki: I’m just very grateful for the fans that follow me. I try to please them as much as I can.
Rock Overdose: As a man that has served music from many different posts, we'd like you to give some piece of advice to people that try to chase their dream with music, and especially to guitarists out there. Which are the main things someone should be careful about and how did you treat your guitar work and compositions all these years, to become who you are today?
Timo Tolkki: You need someone who is already connected with the industry. Then you need perfect demo. The rest is luck really but with a lot of hard work.
Rock Overdose: We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you have offered us with your songs all these years. Close this interview as you wish, it was a personal honor and joy for me, thanks a lot for your time and for your dedication to music. Keep the fire burning!
Timo Tolkki: Thank you so much and see you soon!!
For Rock Overdose
Dimitris Aloras
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