HIT CHANNEL INTERVIEW: December 2010. We talked with Anneke Van Giersbergen (Agua De Annique, ex-The Gathering). Anneke is going to give some Greek shows next week with Danny Cavanagh (Anathema) .We can’t wait to hear her beautiful voice. Below you’ll find what she told us.
You’ re playing in Greece with Danny Cavanagh in a few days. Which songs you are going to play? Will you do any covers? Danny used to play Radiohead and Pink Floyd covers in his solo gigs…
We’ll be playing a nice selection of our own work and indeed we do a couple of covers from the likes of Damien Rice, Fleetwood Mac, Dolly Parton and Massive Attack, amongst others.
How close is a new album by Agua De Annique?
We just released our live album ‘Live in Europe’ last October. In 2011 I will be playing mostly live, besides recording the new studio album.
You participated in Devin Townshend Project’s album “Addicted” and you will do a Europe tour with him. How is working with a genius like Devin? How difficult is it for someone to understand his vision?
I guess in real life Devin isn’t the unworldly, genius mastermind that people make of him because of his huge talent and complex music. He’s down to earth, very funny and dedicated. He knows what he wants to hear and I like pushing my limits to be able to deliver those kinds of vocal lines. I’m proud to be part of the Addicted album. I love Devin dearly and he’s a great guy.
Do you think you that you could have been still in Gathering or your departure was inevitable?
I guess it was inevitable. After the birth of my son, I wanted to organize my recording- and touring-schedule differently. You can’t expect four other people to follow your desires, so I knew I had to leave. I also had a lot of songs I wanted to record with my own vision.
With who artist you’d like to work with and hasn’t happened yet? Maybe with Peter Gabriel?
I’m love male vocalists, my dream would be recording with Serj Tankian, Mike Patton or Maynard Keenan.
What music do you hear this period?
I listen a lot to Anathema’s last album, Deftones (“Diamond Eyes”), Empire of the Sun (“Walking on a Dream”), Muse (“The Resistance”), The Swell Season and Belgium band Triggerfinger.
What fact about you (musical or not) would surprise fans?
I wouldn’t know. I’m very open minded and I guess so are most of my fans. I wouldn’t know what would surprise them?
Which was the last great book you read and what was its subject?
I read a lot of spiritual books. For instance Eckhart Tolle.
What’s the special to Danny Cavanagh which make you to continue work with him? Is he so emotional off stage as he’s on stage?
He’s a dear friend and we get along very well both on and off stage. Yes, Danny is a sensitive guy – I like people who are that way.
Send a message to Greek fans who’ll see you in a few days.
In all honesty: I can’t wait to visit Greece again. I love the country, the food and the people!
Special thanks to Anneke!
Check out www.aguadeannique.com