can drink of course--and they have a driver at all times.
KZ: Listening to this album, I hear the influences in some of the songs of NIGHTWISH,
EPICA or RHAPSODY OF FIRE. Are you and the guys fans of these bands?
DVG: The bands that you mentioned--I love all three of them! So, yeah, of course I listen to them. I
also love to listen to them because I know the singers and they’re very sweet and very dear people,
so I like to hear their music and support them. Well actually, I also like PATHFINDER, and one you
should know because it is a Polish band. I also like Heavy Metal and bands like DRAGONLAND (Sweden)
and there’s STORYLAND. I’m really fond of them. But what I also really like is the DEVIL PUMPKIN
PROJECT…wow! There are still so many I can’t name them all—ORPHANED LAND, OPETH...there are
so many…
KZ: Do you have any plans to incorporate a real symphony orchestra on future albums?
DVG: Oh, I hope so! We have some real orchestra instruments, of course and those are all heard on
the album and of course, there is the choir. It’s a professional choir from Amsterdam that we did vocals
with. It would be so great to perform with a full orchestra and I would be so excited!
KZ: You have a fantastic Soprano voice that is the result of many years of training. You
studied classical music and have a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. And now you are the
front woman in two bands; XANDRIA and EXLIBRIS…AND a vocal coach. How do you
manage to connect all of this?
DVG: That is a good question! I sometimes wonder myself! Well, it all comes down to good planning
and the two band’s cooperation. I’ve been so caught up with Xandria. And of course Xandria’s CD is
out and Xandria is working with NAPALM RECORDS. So that’s my priority. After that show I will tour
with ExLibris. Of course when I’m on tour I cannot coach or teach my students, but they know and
when I’m home I’m very focused on them.
KZ: You were born in The Netherlands--do you want to record any song in the future in
your mother language--especially for your fans in The Netherlands?
DVG: Xandria has already talked abou BF