Hey,
just found this old interview, I guess its from 2002
Enjoy!
Sharon den Adel
Country: The Netherlands
Band: Within Temptation- When did you start singing? What got you into music?
Sharon: If I should believe my parents, I sang before I could talk. But ok, that is what parents are like, huh? When I was four years old, I all ready got pocket money from my parents, but it had to be spent on music. "Thanks" to a recommendation from my brother, I came home once with Jeff Wayne's musical version of "Wars of the world." I still have this tape. I grew to like this music, but it was quite scary music for a four-year-old kid. There was always music on at home. Deep Purple, Santana, Pink Floyd and Queen, that kind of music. When I was 12 I got seriously into singing.
- What was your first band?
Sharon: At 14 I took a course at a music school about how to form a band. One year later I sang in a bluesrock band Kashiro. We played covers of Van Halen, Journey, Pink Floyd, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Queen, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and many more.
- Your earliest influences? Do you have any favourite singers now?
Sharon: When I was a kid, I was a big fan of Olivia Newton-John. Nowadays I like to listen to Tori Amos and Emma Shapplin. When it comes to male singers, I like to listen to bands like Muse, Him and Nirvana, but it also has a lot to do with the kind of music they play. It's of the same importance to me. I cannot separate those things.
- Have you ever taken singing lessons? What is your musical background?
Sharon: I have sung for some time in a choir, just to learn a different way of singing. For a short time I also had lessons from a student of a conservatorium. Most things I have learnt on my own, through studying and practising songs that I liked till I was able to sing all the difficult parts. When I noticed that it hurt because I tried on purpose to sing a difficult part, I searched for a way to sing that wouldn't cause pain. My neighbours and my parents were sometimes very annoyed when I was practising the same tones for numerous times.
- What do you think makes a good singer?
Sharon: I think that a good singer has to be able to move people in an emotional way. When it comes to techinque, there definitely has to be some base, but it depends on the kind of music you're making. Madonna is maybe not the best singer in the world, but a song like "The power of goodbye" still moves me deeply, and I also like the sound of her voice. The singer of The Cure doesn't always sing in the right tones, but he still fascinates me and can bring me in a certain atmosphere. The power of Tori Amos lies for me in her melodies, lyrics and personality.
To be honest, I don't think there are special rules which a good singer has to follow, since everyone experiences music in a differen way. Besides, every style of music has a different purpose and evokes different emotions. To be a metal singer you need different qualities than a reggae or R'n'B singer.
- What do you think is your strongest quality as a singer?
Sharon: I believe my strongest quality is that I can do different things with my voice.
- What is (are) your favourite song(s) to sing/perform?
Sharon: The Promise & Caged.
- What are your interests and hobbies apart from music?
Sharon: Fantasy books, films, walking in the nature, fashion, painting... Actually I have too many hobbies, for which I don't have much time nowadays. But I shouldn't complain, 'cos music is my biggest hobby.
Sat May 31, 2008 3:50 am
and thanks for posting i must say i have a thing for listening to caged at the moment
It is pure perfection.
