Rockezine.com interview with Epica on Jan 25, 2004

with Simone Simons on Jan 25, 2004

The Phantom Agony (TPA) by Epica is without a doubt the best Dutch debut album of 2003. One of the band`s most striking members is the eighteen year old singer Simone Simons. This talented youngster also played a part in Aina`s Days Of Rising Doom. Enough reasons to get in contact with Simone and ask her a couple of questions.
		How did you get involved with Epica? I know Mark for two and a half years now. We have both music and love in common. I got in contact with him on the internet (After Forever website). I told him that I love singing. At that time he was still in After Forever. But he wanted to start a side project with me as the singer. In the beginning we had time for the project, but After Forever was getting more and more successful, so he didn`t have any time left for the side project. On April 2nd 2002 Mark got kicked out of After Forever. He told me that he wanted to start a new band. We both decided that I was not ready to be in a professional band, because I didn`t have any live experience and was still very young. A few new singers came but there wasn`t a click. I knew the band from the start and finally we took the chance and continued the band with me as the lead singer. And I am very happy I did!!!
		The Phantom Agony is an incredible debut album. Did the expectations you had about the release come true? Yes, even more. We had the honor to work with Sascha Paeth, he is best known for the great productions of Rhapsody, Kamelot and now also Aina. We had an idea how the album would sound like, but the result is better than we hoped for. We are very happy with the result. A producer is very important, he can create a heavenly sound or totally ruin it. Luckily we didn`t need to worry :)
		How was TPA received beyond the Dutch borders? Great, we have sold over 10.000 copies in The Netherlands. I think that we are very lucky because Within Temptation opened many doors for gothic bands. There is more appreciation now for bands like us.
		What is the best thing you`ve read about the album? The thing I like most, hmm, I think when people have respect for our music and feel happy when they listen to it. I also like to hear and see people sing along. That happens a lot with “Cry For The Moon”.
		Mark Jansen is the so called master mind of Epica. Do other band members have any influence on the writing and the development of the different tracks? Yes, but since the line up of Epica was complete in October 2002 (we went into the studio in January), the drummer and I did not have much influence on the process of song writing. Now we have more time to write songs and know of our musical taste.
		Which track on TPA are you most proud off? I am sorry but I like all the songs :)
		The first plan was to tour as a support act. Now you`re touring The Netherlands together with Morning. How is the response on the road so far? We are not touring with Morning. We do not have a support act. We try to vary the support acts, for the fans, for the bands and for us. The respond is great! Each gig we have like 200-300 visitors, great!!!
		After shows in Belgium, France, and Germany the band will be playing the Piorno Rock festival in Spain Februari 2004. This gig must be quite an enterprise. How did you get involved with this Spanish Festival? Mark knows the organizer, from when he was still in After Forever. They played there.
		How did you get involved with the metal opera Days Of Rising Doom by Aina? Hans van Vuuren, he is the man! He really wanted me to sing on the album, so I did, and it sounds great. Great cd!
		What do you think of the metal opera concept? Is there a possibility that Epica will release such an opera? I don`t think that we will release such an opera, no.
		Do you think that there will be a chance that we`ll be able to see Aina play live? I have no idea, such a thing will be hard to organize because there are so many singers and musicians involved.
		You`re only eighteen years old. Did you have any trouble finding your way in the metal scene? In the beginning everything was new for me; I have seen some gigs of After Forever, but now as a singer, a lot of other things happen. I am still learning.
		Did you attend singing lessons? Yes, I`m having classical singing lessons for two years now.
		I know you`re in your final year of Atheneum (high school). What will you be doing next year? Are you going to university or are you going to devote yourself to music? I am going to devote myself to music. Music is my first love, and it will be my last. I love to sing, and I love my band and of course the fans.
		Which of the following female singers do you admire most? Sharon van de Adel, Tarja Turunen or Floor Jansen? Tarja, she’s the first woman I met in the metal scene, great voice, great sound as a band. But most of all I have a lot of respect for female singers, it can be hard with all those guys around, hahaha.
		Do you have time to listen to other music and see other bands? (What is the last gig you`ve attended, what is the last cd you`ve bought?) My last cd was Irreligious from Moonspell. But I have this compelation cd, with Ambeon, Lacrimosa, REM on it. I listen to it when we are on the road.
		Are you pleased with the capabilities of your voice or are there some things you`d like to see improved within a couple of years? I think a singer never stops learning! Especially if you are young.
		What is your ultimate goal as a singer? To travel around the world with Epica. And to make people happy with our music.
These pictures are taken by Rockezine photographer Nico Vink at the Doornroosje gig. (Geert Oldenmenger)