By Jill Hughes

USA Progressive Music: You did a great job singing for Xystus.  How was that experience? Will you sing for their next project?

Simone Simons: I got a phone call from Ivo (drummer and main composer) little over two years ago. He asked me if I was interested in singing in his musical. I am always up for new experiences, so I said yes. Back then it was only the idea of the musical. Now, two years later I've sung on their album, the musical and you also have the DVD!  It was a great experience in which I've learned a lot and also got in contact with nice people!

USAProgMusic: Have you considered lending your voice for a movie's soundtrack as well?

Simone: That is still on my 'To Do List', we'll have to wait and see if that will happen one day. I would love to give it a try!

USAProgMusic:  How did you interpret the non-Epica songs you sing on The Classical Conspiracy album?  What was your approach to make them your own?

Simone:  “Ombra Mai Fu” was the very first song that I sung during my singing lessons, so it holds a special meaning to me. “Stabat Mater Dolorosa” is a heart-breaking song. I had problems to fight my own tears while singing it. When you don't sing songs that don't lie close to your heart, it is especially hard to sing them with emotion. You have to identify with them.

USAProgMusic:  Why did the band chose the songs they chose to be on The Classical Conspiracy? Were there any songs you personally wanted to do (more than others)?

Simone:  I originally wanted to sing more songs but I was too late with filling in the songs. They already started with the re-arranging of the songs and there was no time left for me to sing two more songs. I love the other songs we've chosen. I think they fit perfectly with Epica. Some songs sound in my opinion even a bit better.

USAProgMusic: When you were out on the “sidelines” for health reasons last year, did that effect how you thought about your career & life? If so, what did you decide you wanted to do differently (or the same)?    Were you ok with the band going on tour without you?  How did you get ready for being able to rejoin them?

Simone: It was a difficult period for me. We were talking about if we should do the American tour and what we should do if I would still be sick. We decided to come up with a plan B in case I            would still be too weak to tour. I was almost sure that I would be strong enough to do the tour. I went to the doctor three weeks before the tour and they told me that I would have to take it easy. It was a blow in the face. I knew now that plan B would start and even though Amanda is      one of my dearest friends it was not a pleasant thought that the band played without me. I had to try very hard not to think of it so that I would heal in the meantime. But it is definitely             hard to get better with that thought in the back of your mind.

Now I have learned to set my boundaries and listen to my body more. I was so exhausted but felt pressure to go on. Health is the most important thing in life! If you are not healthy, you cannot enjoy life or do your job right.

USAProgMusic:  What kinds of projects would you like to get involved in that you haven’t already?   Have you considered putting out a solo album?

Simone:  A solo album is definitely on my wish list, but that won't happen within the next two years, I think.

USAProgMusic:  What projects are you working on next that you’d like to share?

Simone:  Sons of Seasons is the new band from my boyfriend Oliver Palotai and me and Mark have sung on that album. They just released their album and are touring at the moment. Oliver and I have plans to start a new project with another singer from the metal scene but that is still very fresh.

USAProgMusic:  You work very closely with Amanda Somerville in your voice training.  How often do you get to meet with her?  Have you considered doing other projects with her?

Simone: She is not my vocal teacher. She records my vocals and helps with interpretation. She is also an American and helps me with my Dutch accent which sometimes pops up (laughs).  We have something new coming up with her, but you will have to wait and see/listen.

USAProgMusic: People probably compare you a lot to other female-fronted bands.  How does that make you feel?  How would you try to explain to people how you are different from those other bands and what makes you stand out?

Simone: Like within the male metal scene there are many different styles of metal, they are also within the female metal scene. Many people give Epica different labels and I think that for the fans they all love different elements and I think that Epica has stayed true to its roots and didn't take the commercial road. We love our ballads but also still like to play to hard ones as well. I love the extremes in our music and I think that that is one of our strengths.

USAProgMusic:  What are your touring plans for the upcoming year? Is there anywhere you haven’t toured that you’d like to tour?

Simone: For now we will play on many festivals and after the release of the new album this autumn we will do a European headline tour. I am looking forward to play on the summer festivals because the ambience is always so relaxed, nice weather, many good bands!

USAProgMusic:  Have you noticed a difference between audiences in Europe, North America or South America and the reception they give you, either individually or collectively?

Simone: I would say that the South American people are very passionate and full of energy. We get the most extreme welcomes from there. In Europe all countries are different and all people respond differently to Epica.

USAProgMusic:  If you could sing with any band, whether still together or disbanded, who would you want to sing with?  

Simone: I'd like to sing “Walking in the Air”, with Tarja and Nightwish. That song is the best! The movie 'The Snowman', is a dear childhood memory. I sometimes still watch the movie.

USAProgMusic:  Is there any male singer you’d like to sing a duet with, that you haven’t?

Simone: That would be Mike [Akerfeldt] from Opeth. He is the man!

Questions contributed by Eduard Antoniu and N. Lynn