Olaf Thorsen, Italian Guitarist for Progressive Power Metal group Vision Divine & Labyrinth. Interview October 12, 2012
Olaf Thorsen Interview
1. Could you tell me about Vision Divine’s upcoming studio album Destination Set To Nowhere?
I don’t wanna sound predictable, but actually I’m particularly happy with this new album and I consider it to be our best release to date. I find this new release as the perfect mix of everything we did so far, with the extra bonus of the best production we ever had.
I don’t wanna sound too much enthusiastic about it, but I honestly believe that those who never heard anything from us should probably start with this one.
2. Will there be any tours in North America?
I don’t know at the moment. We are got some contacts and we’re in touch with some promoters in order to check if there could be any chance for us. We will see what happens, but no need to say we hope so.
3. How do you manage your time as a musician?
I’m pretty busy with the new album out, anyway when I’m not touring I’m teaching guitar in a Rock school. Basically, my life is totally involved with music.
4. What are your current endorsements?
I use Ibanez guitars, Engl amplifiers, Ernie Ball strings, and Tc electronic Fx.
5. Without Social Media could bands today manage to survive?
When I started playing music there were no social mediaset and were still doing fine!
I use them nowadays, of course, but that’s something I do mostly ’cause it’s something which seems “you must do”. For what I remember, we were already doing fine before this became so popular. We just had different channels to stay in touch with fans and friends.
6. What’s your vision of the internet for musicians in the future?
I don’t know, really. Somebody says internet is good, done others say its bad. I still didn’t figure out, honestly, but I guess for sure we will all have to change and adapt according to what will come from it.
7. What could we find interesting in your Music collection today?
Eheh, I guess my entire ” A-ha” discography, or maybe it would surprise you my “Modern Talking” collection ;)
8. Could you describe what goes on in a day in your life as a musician?
I wake up around 8:30 am, after a coffee and a cigarette I sit in my studio and start studying music or practicing (it depends what’s more needed). I stop for lunch, then in the afternoon I start giving lessons. After dinner I just relax at home. I like watching some DVD or going to the cinema.
9. Where do you see Music in 100 years from now?
Ha! I don’t know, but let’s fix another interview in 100 years and let’s see what happened!
10. Any words for musicians starting out?
Play for the passion of doing it. Music must be your hobby and your passion. Should it become your job, then it means you had something to give. If you play in a band, choose only people who you know you can be friend with and don’t you ever sacrifice a friend to change him with a better musician. Music is not a competition, and sometimes a faster guitarist doesn’t necessarily write better songs or is not funnier than the one you had before!