SunriseAve ITALY

Hannover – Braunschweig - Dortmund    from Sunrise Avenue diary

I just came back to the hotel from the center of Dortmund with Jukka. We all slept the whole day first and after the snoring we needed to do some shopping. It is just amazing but I have almost won my flu already even though it started just a few days ago. I must say the show in Hannover was really painful and I honestly had to focus on staying on my feet. My throat hurt like hell but amazing as it is, it was still a lot of fun. Mostly because of the great audience. I was so sure I was gonna be too sick to sing at all in Braunschweig but no. Sami's and our Driver John's miracle medicine helped. And of course the 12-hour sleep in the buss. John even gave me an extra pillow to make it comfortable. He is a real teddy bear! And probably the hot rum drinks had something to do with it too. Anyway, it's really nice to be back on my feet. I must say the thought of canceling a show or two because someone's sick doesn't feel nice at all, but of course that might happen in the future. This time we were tough enough. Jukka is also feeling far better. We saw the crew guys downstairs when we got back to the hotel with Jukka and they said they all feel a bit bad. Hope it's not their turn. The two shows, especially the way we do it sweating so much, is definitely not what the doctor told me to do to get better, but I must say it's amazing how much energy you get from a great crowd.

Our back stage was really cool yesterday. It was this small club with a real bar and sound system and we had a huge party there after and before the show. Sami and Gorilla Mikko were the DJs and the musical menu was mostly Ramones and other credible rock. Well Jukka and I stood by the venue gates after the show with some folks who'd been to the show but some of the lovely girls from the crowd assisted us with getting some drinks outside while we took pictures together with the others. I could stand there for hours every night but sometimes it's just so cold and you must think about the shows the next days and you must get into the bus to stay warm. You don't want to risk the next few shows because of a few more autographs. So everybody felt a bit tired today after partying and especially after Riku's Bacardi Cola session in the bus on the way to Dortmund.

I must say Riku has done a great job so far. The boots he stepped into are not easy to fill at all and even though our songs are not Mozart or Vivaldi level difficult, he has done a brilliant job. I also feel really happy how the fans, listeners and media have taken him more as a musician and the savior of the tour than a guy who's standing on someone else's spot. Personally I must say I have never been this happy traveling with anyone and even though many of us have been sick and some times tired too, the atmosphere is just awesome. I hate to think that there are only 18 shows and then we all must go home.

I had a chat with our management today and I was told that the MTV European Music Awards thing is getting really tight. There are seven bands left and every day they drop one more. Only the top three get to join the MTV awards in Munich next week and of course I am hoping for the best. The message we got today is that we still have a chance but it is really a tough fight between the seven bands left. I believe in the folks who support us and no matter what happens, I know a lot of people have been clicking their fingers blue with this one. Would be cool to be able to thank them all every now and then. Angels. Of course it would be nice to get to perform for hundreds of millions at the awards, but I decided not to think about it from the very beginning that much.

I'll go to bed now and try to get up early in the morning for a little gym session. Good night everyone, wherever you are….