Appointment is made with Anneke Van Giersbergen in , 2008.

1) This will be a year in June that you left The Gathering, in retrospect you today on this choice, you feel regret?

Anneke: Say it is always difficult to end a long phase of his life, but well worth it. I needed to do other things, to get out of a routine, I find myself. This was as you can imagine very hard to make, but it was needed. After much thought, I informed my companions of The Gathering, we have all talked a lot and they accepted my decision. I had periods of doubt in the future and I have no regrets, if only to emphasize my family by passing more time with my son and my husband (Rob Snijders, drummer Agua de Annique).

2) The reactions were many after the announcement that surprised everyone. Some were even quite virulent, some criticized t’ont indeed having announced your departure from The Gathering and the creation of Agua de Annique in a time too close. The opinion of fans in general you hold dear? Have you paid much attention to these controversies?

Anneke: Yes it is obvious that this announcement has taken everyone by surprise. Regarding the reactions of fans, I must say that overall I was pleased to see that many do not want me and wanted me to continue my life, the successful and m’épanouir in my new project . I think some angry reactions came suddenly after playing my start and they were quickly dispelled. Of course the opinion of the fans is especially important that we communicate with them regularly and we read carefully what they say on our forum. In the vast majority of opinions after the fact, I am satisfied because a majority of people understood my choice and I do not want to have. It’s a pity not being able to satisfy everyone, it’s my decision, I assume and I have no regrets. The Gathering was an amazing adventure, and now I hope with all my heart qu’Agua de Annique will too.

3) Last question about The Gathering: are you still in contact with them and they attended a concert of Agua de Annique?

Anneke: Unfortunately we are not too in touch. Agua de Annique takes me a long time, we are constantly on the road to give concerts in Holland. They are each also busy with their activities. In short we are no longer as close as before but this does not prevent me to follow their news. And my new project, I have not yet had the opportunity to see one of my shows.

4) Let us now look at your news that is provided. You come to participate in a single in the Netherlands for Tibet, you sing on a title Moonspell the next and the next Pale Forest, a mini-acoustic tour is planned in Scandinavia in June with Danny Cavanagh (Anathema). Of course you did featuring other when you were with The Gathering, but not so much in such little time, what explains this increased activity? What does this bring you?

Anneke: Regarding the single for Tibet, I was contacted a while ago by the big names in the Dutch music scene and soon I gave my agreement. The situation in Tibet close to my heart and this is not new. This project means a lot to me and know that this song is currently number one in charts in the Netherlands delights me. Things must change, that everyone goes to his personal contribution that each do something with means at its disposal. I was really honored to be thought of me to participate, I am very proud.

Moonspell regard, I want to say it was easy I know the group for a long time, we met on numerous occasions and it is natural that I accepted, especially I love what they do. The same is true for Pale Forest: we shared the stage together, we have created links over time and things have made for themselves.

For Danny it is a story of friendship. We love it is love of my voice (laughs) and the idea of a tour coming out of the ordinary I was delighted. We have already given a concert together in early January in the Netherlands, it was held could not be better and I would say it was logical that we will repeat the experience soon.

The increase my staff just as you currently can doubt thee first from the other groups. I had proposed when I was with The Gathering but our schedule was quite heavy and I could invest as much myself as I would have liked. I now have the time, desire, motivation to make this possible are featuring. And I must say that I have the chance to collaborate with as many people who trust me, which I appreciate and m’apprécient well. They are not furtive appearances, these events are part of stories high, even friendships. The result will only get better I think if we had moved beyond mere musicians to that of friends.

I love this wealth of projects, the creativity that emerges and to evolve this way in different groups, many projects and also get widely known, although the public Moonspell, the Pale Forest and in a some extent, that of Anathema know me may already have.

5) You are therefore more than happy now?

Anneke: It is indeed very good. The days pass and new projects continue to flow. We will thus return to studio this summer to record our second album.

6) about the next album, did you ideas on themes to be addressed?

Anneke: Well everything is already written. There’s no real specific issue: I write about everything that touches me, part of my everyday life such as life, love, …

7) In fact everything is already written. There’s no real specific issue: I write about everything that touches me, part of my everyday life such as life, love, …

Anneke: No it will always be the same team. Although Rob, Jacques Joris, and each have their own group on the fringes of Agua de Annique, we really want to stay together, even arranging our schedules when each will have its own concerts. The formula for the moment suits us, we get along well and we want more than anything to perpetuate the spirit that characterizes us now. It feels good, you appreciate what we do and there is no reason why it stops.

Can you tell us about the public Agua de Annique? You’ll find the fans of The Gathering, new fans, fans of the metal scene?

Anneke: Yes, and I am glad to see that many people who love The Gathering in a sense continue to support me in my new project. I know that some come to the concert without knowing my new project and hoping to attend a show of The Gathering. I hope I succeed to convince them to discover my world and to adhere to what I propose today. There are old and new fans, although there are more old than new. I am also very happy to review some heads that are familiar to me. Arrive on scene and recognize a few people in the audience is always satisfying because I know that I support them. While I am asked regularly tracks on The Gathering, I also play in my concerts, but if one comes to see me primarily for Agua de Annique. I like the public to renew but not too much in a certain sense it is reassuring to see that after so many years, some have remained faithful despite the changes in style, the musical evolution of The Gathering, and now my new baby.

9) You’ve played in many countries, what are those where you have never played that t’attires? And where you like to go if you could?

Anneke: Mmmmmh South America please me well, the atmosphere is special, I greatly appreciate the countries in the world for their cultures, traditions, foods. I lived with The Gathering many moments there and I’m happy to return. In other countries, but especially there. Closer to home, there are Mediterranean countries like Greece and Spain, I love especially the countries where it is hot elsewhere in Paris today, it is much better than in the Netherlands.

10) To return to what we talked earlier about your recent collaborations, if you had the opportunity to sing with a group, it would be which? I know you’re a great fan of Prince and Madonna in particular

Anneke: Ouiiiii (laughter) Mmmmh if the dream had come true then it would be Muse or Radiohead. They inspire me a lot and you’re like me doubts enormously.

11) It will be time to leave, a final word to our readers?

Anneke: Thanks for your support, your friendship and we hope to see you soon at one of our concerts. The French public has always been there and I hope tonight’s concert in Paris and in Lille that tomorrow will give you satisfaction.