Anette Olzon was raised in a musical family and has been singing since childhood. She started singing at a very early age so she never took any lessons then. She just stood and sang to different vocalists before her parents and grand mother and had concerts for them.
Her mother also forced Anette to play the oboe for 8 years. Her first singing on a stage was when she was around 10 years old and sang with her mums band. Then after that she was on stage in talent shows and she always chose songs that would fit her so she can't remember any difficulties with higher notes. Her first vocal lesson was at the age of 17 for some years and also in Balettakademien and she always thought it was hard to understand the whole breathing support thing. To understand what "support" was and how to feel that she did it right. She has never wanted to sing classical so even if she practised the technique she was quite stubborn and told the teachers that she didn't wanna sing anything else than rock/pop voice.
She uses most when she sings a technique called "belting". It's like witch laughter, Also imitating a car like: öhrn, öhrn, öhrn... as a car accelerating forward.
There Will Come A Day
Anette Olzon and her Choir "Bydekoren" - live performance in 2003
Keep Your Lamp
Later, she started to take part in various talent shows and received laudable recognition.
She was 12 or 13 years old and there was an add for a local talent show in the bigger village close by where she lived. She decided to sing a very well-known song: sometimes when we touch.
The first band she joined at seventeen years of age (Take Cover) was a cover band. However, it was short-lived as she took part in several bands and projects. At twenty-one, she played the leading role in the rock opera/musical "Gränsland" in Helsingborg. After that she got in to the Balettakademien in Gothenburg. She sang in choirs, did studio work for various projects and occasionally performed as a wedding singer.
"Ok... so before Nightwish I took a lot of jobs during the summer time as a wedding singer. Very nice job since I love weddings...;=) And also usually a good little money to sing 1-3 songs." wrote Anette on her blog - 20 June 2009 .
Anette Olzon also sang a duet with Michael Bormann (ex-Jaded Heart singer) on his album "Conspiracy".
Michael Bormann - Two of a kind (2006)
In her earlier days, Anette Olzon took singing lessons at the Copenhagen Music Conservatorie, in Helsingør, Denmark with a private teacher. Nowadays, she takes lessons from a private teacher at the Malmö Music University when needed.
Her mother also forced Anette to play the oboe for 8 years. Her first singing on a stage was when she was around 10 years old and sang with her mums band. Then after that she was on stage in talent shows and she always chose songs that would fit her so she can't remember any difficulties with higher notes. Her first vocal lesson was at the age of 17 for some years and also in Balettakademien and she always thought it was hard to understand the whole breathing support thing. To understand what "support" was and how to feel that she did it right. She has never wanted to sing classical so even if she practised the technique she was quite stubborn and told the teachers that she didn't wanna sing anything else than rock/pop voice.
She uses most when she sings a technique called "belting". It's like witch laughter, Also imitating a car like: öhrn, öhrn, öhrn... as a car accelerating forward.
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| with her mother
She toured with her mother's band and sang with them on some occasions. She begann singing in swedish choir "Bydekoren".
Anette posted on her official blog:
|
"Hi again, I have read the comments from the last input yesterday and regarding the new you tube-clip from my old choir, the song is a cover of Faith Hills song There will come a day. Its one of my absolute favourite songs and if you didnt know it, I have been a soloist in some gospel choirs and gospels and big choir arrangements are the best ones I know to sing to."
There Will Come A Day
Anette Olzon and her Choir "Bydekoren" - live performance in 2003
Later, she started to take part in various talent shows and received laudable recognition.
She was 12 or 13 years old and there was an add for a local talent show in the bigger village close by where she lived. She decided to sing a very well-known song: sometimes when we touch.
The first band she joined at seventeen years of age (Take Cover) was a cover band. However, it was short-lived as she took part in several bands and projects. At twenty-one, she played the leading role in the rock opera/musical "Gränsland" in Helsingborg. After that she got in to the Balettakademien in Gothenburg. She sang in choirs, did studio work for various projects and occasionally performed as a wedding singer.
"Ok... so before Nightwish I took a lot of jobs during the summer time as a wedding singer. Very nice job since I love weddings...;=) And also usually a good little money to sing 1-3 songs." wrote Anette on her blog - 20 June 2009 .
Anette Olzon also sang a duet with Michael Bormann (ex-Jaded Heart singer) on his album "Conspiracy".
Michael Bormann - Two of a kind (2006)
Cloudscape - Will We Remain (2006)
In her earlier days, Anette Olzon took singing lessons at the Copenhagen Music Conservatorie, in Helsingør, Denmark with a private teacher. Nowadays, she takes lessons from a private teacher at the Malmö Music University when needed.
Olzon then joined Alyson Avenue, at first only as a studio singer, but later as their leading lady, replacing the male vocalist. The band received huge feedback for a demo they sent out in 1999, and Alyson Avenue was soon able to contact various labels. Main composer and keyboardist Niclas Olsson gathered the band, recording a four track demo which resulted in a record deal with AOR Heaven.
Alyson Avenue (1999–2005)
In November 2000, debut album Presence of Mind was released with rave reviews. The next album Omega was released in 2003. Anette left "Alyson Avenue" in 2006. In May 2009, Alyson Avenue introduced Arabella Vitanc as their new lead vocalist.
When dreams fall apart
Olzon officially joined Nightwish as their new lead singer in early 2007, chosen from about 2,000 applicants of which 10 made it to prove their place in front of the band. The song on her demo tape was the 2002 single "Ever Dream". She replaced the previous singer Tarja Turunen, who was fired in an open letter in the autumn of 2005. Olzon's demo was one of the first that Nightwish received, although she was originally denied the position, as band leader Tuomas Holopainen was concerned about the fact that she had a young son. However, Olzon was persistent and sent the band a live DVD of her performing with Alyson Avenue. She was then contacted by Nightwish's manager Ewo Pohjola, which eventually led to her taking up the position in February 2007. Tuomas commented on her selection saying "we (the band) took a formal vote, but it was unanimous that she would be the one. It was a matter of heart. We felt she was right." Her identity was kept secret by various methods, including pretending to be Ewo's "Swedish cousin" at a Tarot concert, until she was eventually announced as the new Nightwish singer on 24 May 2007.
Ever dream (demo 2005)
Anette Olzon as a new Nightish's singer (first message) - Greeting the fans
The day after this revealing, May 25, 2007, charity single "Eva" was released as the first off the album, as download only. It was originally scheduled for release on May 30 but this was changed due to a leak on a British music download site. This was the first published song to feature Olzon.
Eva
On June 13, Nightwish released the title, Dark Passion Play, and artwork to the new album on their official website, as well as the name and the cover of the second single (this time CD), "Amaranth".
Amaranth
Dark Passion Play has sold 6x Platinum worldwide up to date (over 1.5 million copies).
Nightwish made live debut with new singer Anette Olzon on 22th September 2007 at Rock Café in Tallinn, Estonia. The group, which appeared under the guise of a Nightwish "cover band" called NACHTWASSER, performed the following tracks:
01. Intro + Bye Bye Beautiful
02. Cadence Of Her Last Breath
03. Dark Chest Of Wonders
04. Ever Dream
05. Come Cover Me
06. Amaranth
07. Sacrament Of Wilderness
08. The Islander
09. The Poet And The Pendulum
10. She Is My Sin
11. Sahara
12. Sleeping Sun
13. Slaying the Dreamer
14. Nemo
---------------
15. Eva
16. Wishmaster
17. Wish I Had An Angel
Outro: Blood Diamond
Low-quality fan-filmed video clips from the concert can be viewed below.
Eva - at Rock Café in Tallinn
Their first official concert with the new singer was in Tel Aviv, Israel on October 6, 2007.
Anette said in 2012 about this show: I do remember Israel and Tel Aviv;=) First of I loved the ocean and took a bath in it and it was so warm and wonderful! Then the show was for me, sooo nervous! I remember the sound check, that I was a bit shaky when singing and then when we started the show I almost fainted;=) But it all went well and even if I have done better shows afterwards I still remember it, my first official one;=) And I want to come back to Israel one day to see Jerusalem. Thats a dream of mine;=)
Amaranth
On 22 March 2009 she sang with fans in Paris "Freres Jacques".
Anette about France: "I have been in France many times and I love France! I studied french for 4 years in school and my dream has always been to live in Paris".
The Dark Passion Play tour turned out to be Nightwish's longest tour yet, lasting from the fall of 2007 to September 2009, when ended with a concert in Hartwall Arena, Helsinki with the band Apocalyptica.
The day after this revealing, May 25, 2007, charity single "Eva" was released as the first off the album, as download only. It was originally scheduled for release on May 30 but this was changed due to a leak on a British music download site. This was the first published song to feature Olzon.
On June 13, Nightwish released the title, Dark Passion Play, and artwork to the new album on their official website, as well as the name and the cover of the second single (this time CD), "Amaranth".
Dark Passion Play has sold 6x Platinum worldwide up to date (over 1.5 million copies).
Nightwish made live debut with new singer Anette Olzon on 22th September 2007 at Rock Café in Tallinn, Estonia. The group, which appeared under the guise of a Nightwish "cover band" called NACHTWASSER, performed the following tracks:
01. Intro + Bye Bye Beautiful
02. Cadence Of Her Last Breath
03. Dark Chest Of Wonders
04. Ever Dream
05. Come Cover Me
06. Amaranth
07. Sacrament Of Wilderness
08. The Islander
09. The Poet And The Pendulum
10. She Is My Sin
11. Sahara
12. Sleeping Sun
13. Slaying the Dreamer
14. Nemo
---------------
15. Eva
16. Wishmaster
17. Wish I Had An Angel
Outro: Blood Diamond
Low-quality fan-filmed video clips from the concert can be viewed below.
The Islander - at Rock Café in Tallinn
Their first official concert with the new singer was in Tel Aviv, Israel on October 6, 2007.
Anette said in 2012 about this show: I do remember Israel and Tel Aviv;=) First of I loved the ocean and took a bath in it and it was so warm and wonderful! Then the show was for me, sooo nervous! I remember the sound check, that I was a bit shaky when singing and then when we started the show I almost fainted;=) But it all went well and even if I have done better shows afterwards I still remember it, my first official one;=) And I want to come back to Israel one day to see Jerusalem. Thats a dream of mine;=)
On 22 March 2009 she sang with fans in Paris "Freres Jacques".
The Dark Passion Play tour turned out to be Nightwish's longest tour yet, lasting from the fall of 2007 to September 2009, when ended with a concert in Hartwall Arena, Helsinki with the band Apocalyptica.
After her admission in Nightwish, Anette played with several bands, in studio and live, including Brother Firetribe, Pain and The Rasmus.
She recorded in 2008 two songs with swedish metal band Pain
Follow me
Feed Us
In 2008, Anette recorded one track with Brother Firetribe at their second album,
Anette about BF: " Emppu is my best friend and the other guys in the band are just wonderful. Pekka has a super voice and also the nicest person with a smile always;=)"
Anette about BF: " Emppu is my best friend and the other guys in the band are just wonderful. Pekka has a super voice and also the nicest person with a smile always;=)"
Heart Full of Fire
the duet with The Rasmus, titled October & April, was played for the first time on October 9, 2009 on a Finnish radio and was released digitally on November 11, 2009
October & April
On August 13, Anette sang two Nightwish songs
with the Stockholm Symphonic Orchestra, at the Suomi Safari, the event was in celebration of Sweden and Finland relations.
Chaos Tube presents... Anette Olzon interview in Stockholm 13th of August 2009 (for the gig)
part III / III
Chaos Tube presents... Anette Olzon interview in Stockholm 13th of August 2009 (for the gig)
part I / III
part II / III
Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan
Fan asked Anette about choice of KTT: "In early interviews you said your Finnish wasn't that good... If so, why do kuolema tekee taiteilijan to introduce yourself?"
And Anette's answer: "Haha, no my Finnish is so bad;=) But I have this thing as a personality trait - I always like to do crazy things and I dont take myself so serious. I thought it was a way for me to show the fun side of myself and also that I would like to sing in Finnish one day, if they help me with it:=)"
Fan asked Anette about choice of KTT: "In early interviews you said your Finnish wasn't that good... If so, why do kuolema tekee taiteilijan to introduce yourself?"
And Anette's answer: "Haha, no my Finnish is so bad;=) But I have this thing as a personality trait - I always like to do crazy things and I dont take myself so serious. I thought it was a way for me to show the fun side of myself and also that I would like to sing in Finnish one day, if they help me with it:=)"
and Meadows of Heaven
During the break after Nightwish's 2009 Hartwall Arena concert, Anette has stated that she wishes to release a solo album. As of October 19, 2009, songwriting for this album has begun.
On 13 September 2009 sang Anette for her fans swedish lullaby;=)))
On wikipedia is wrotten "2010: Silence of the Beautiful Heart (Entwine)"
"Someone asked me again about this song that´s stated I have done with the finnish band Entwine (it´s someone who has written it in Wikipedia) but I have never recorded any song with them or for them. So that´s not true and sometimes I wonder who writes these things?" - said Anette on her own blog
In 2010 Anette recorded song with Sweden United.
Here you can check how they recorded this song.
In 2009 she has recorded a special song called "Angel" with a very personal meaning for the singer.
She writes on her official blog: ”One year ago I wrote this blog post about a big loss for the world, for Niclas (from Anette’s pre-Nightwish band ALYSON AVENUE), me and lots of friends of a girl name Hanna Ekstrand, who committed suicide. She was born on the exact same date and year as me: 21 of June 1971. Her daughter and Nemo – has the same birthday. Which has always made me feel ‘closer’ to her destiny. Her life ended far too soon last year on January 7, and tomorrow it’s been one year since that dark day. Niclas has made a song for her called ’Angel’ where I recorded the vocals. We made this song for Hanna and her children. Thomas Löyskä (from Alyson Avenue) has made a special memorial site for Hanna, where you can listen to Niclas song and read the lyrics.
Website - in memory of Hanna
Hanna, just like me, would have turned 40 this year. I have seen her since we were teenagers, I know her daughter. She was such a beautiful person and soul and I will always remember her for that happy, shiny person she was in our younger years. Glowing at every party and making heads turn;=) Hanna — you have touched so many and we miss you. We know you are looking down from heaven as an angel and I hope you like the song that are made just for you. Rest in peace.”
feat. Niclas Olsson - Angel
In 2011 relased Alyson Avenue new album "Changes". Anette sang background vocals on:
Liar
Into The Fire
Always Keep On Loving You
On 28 August 2011 wrote Anette that she did a small recording of some choruses for a Finnish band. Fans asked Anette, for a which band was she going to record? She answered next day on her blog:
"I can´t say anything about this song at the moment but as soon as I can, I will of course tell you when it will be released and with whom e g."
moreover she explained that:
"Someone asked me again about this song that´s stated I have done with the finnish band Entwine (it´s someone who has written it in Wikipedia) but I have never recorded any song with them or for them. So that´s not true and sometimes I wonder who writes these things?"
On 9 November 2011 Anette wrote:
"Hi all! I have told you some time ago about me recording a song with a finnish band and today I can finally tell you that the band was Swallow the sun and I sing on one of their songs in their album which is coming out next year. ;=)"
In interview said Juha Raivio, the main songwriter:
"We are extremely honoured to have Anette Olzon of Nigtwish featuring on vocals on Cathedral Wzlls. Her recognizable voice gives the song the depth and the angelic character it demands."
"When I got to listen to the rough demo of 'Cathedral Walls' I fell in love with the song immediately and I was so honoured to be asked to sing on this song. The melody and lyrics are truly beautiful.", comments Olzon.
On 6 January 2012 is out the video of her collaboration with Swallow the sun.
Swallow the sun feat. Anette - Cathedral walls
Anette Olzon has recorded lead vocal (on the track: This love this time) and backing vocal (on the track: Lay Down in my arms) for band Sapphire Eyes (released on 30.11.2012) on the self-titeled album. Sapphire Eyes is e new band of songwriter and keyboard player Niclas Olsson and singer Thomas Bursell.
Then she joined the other artists in a Beatles medley where she sang Get back=)
She writes on her official blog: ”One year ago I wrote this blog post about a big loss for the world, for Niclas (from Anette’s pre-Nightwish band ALYSON AVENUE), me and lots of friends of a girl name Hanna Ekstrand, who committed suicide. She was born on the exact same date and year as me: 21 of June 1971. Her daughter and Nemo – has the same birthday. Which has always made me feel ‘closer’ to her destiny. Her life ended far too soon last year on January 7, and tomorrow it’s been one year since that dark day. Niclas has made a song for her called ’Angel’ where I recorded the vocals. We made this song for Hanna and her children. Thomas Löyskä (from Alyson Avenue) has made a special memorial site for Hanna, where you can listen to Niclas song and read the lyrics.
Website - in memory of Hanna
Hanna, just like me, would have turned 40 this year. I have seen her since we were teenagers, I know her daughter. She was such a beautiful person and soul and I will always remember her for that happy, shiny person she was in our younger years. Glowing at every party and making heads turn;=) Hanna — you have touched so many and we miss you. We know you are looking down from heaven as an angel and I hope you like the song that are made just for you. Rest in peace.”
feat. Niclas Olsson - Angel
In 2011 relased Alyson Avenue new album "Changes". Anette sang background vocals on:
Liar
Always Keep On Loving You
On 28 August 2011 wrote Anette that she did a small recording of some choruses for a Finnish band. Fans asked Anette, for a which band was she going to record? She answered next day on her blog:
"I can´t say anything about this song at the moment but as soon as I can, I will of course tell you when it will be released and with whom e g."
moreover she explained that:
"Someone asked me again about this song that´s stated I have done with the finnish band Entwine (it´s someone who has written it in Wikipedia) but I have never recorded any song with them or for them. So that´s not true and sometimes I wonder who writes these things?"
On 9 November 2011 Anette wrote:
"Hi all! I have told you some time ago about me recording a song with a finnish band and today I can finally tell you that the band was Swallow the sun and I sing on one of their songs in their album which is coming out next year. ;=)"
In interview said Juha Raivio, the main songwriter:
"We are extremely honoured to have Anette Olzon of Nigtwish featuring on vocals on Cathedral Wzlls. Her recognizable voice gives the song the depth and the angelic character it demands."
"When I got to listen to the rough demo of 'Cathedral Walls' I fell in love with the song immediately and I was so honoured to be asked to sing on this song. The melody and lyrics are truly beautiful.", comments Olzon.
On 6 January 2012 is out the video of her collaboration with Swallow the sun.
Anette Olzon has recorded lead vocal (on the track: This love this time) and backing vocal (on the track: Lay Down in my arms) for band Sapphire Eyes (released on 30.11.2012) on the self-titeled album. Sapphire Eyes is e new band of songwriter and keyboard player Niclas Olsson and singer Thomas Bursell.
Then she joined the other artists in a Beatles medley where she sang Get back=)
