AURI — "Candles and Beginnings" — Interview with Tuomas Holopainen, Johanna Kurkela & Troy Donockley

When I walked out from the interview, I tought: that was deep. If you have ever listened to Nightwish or Altamullan Road (a project by Johanna Kurkela and Johanna Iivanainen), you know that the beautiful melodies are often paired with deep, existential lyrics. Expect nothing less from their creators in terms of the interview as well. As easy as the interview unfoldes, we quickly arrived at rather complex topics.

Auri is a band that creates hauntingly beautiful dreamscapes, and we met on the occasion of the soon-to-be-released new record "Auri III — Candles and Beginnings" (out August 15, 2025). Auri consists of Nightwish's mastermind, Tuomas Holopainen, vocalist Johanna Kurkela, and multi-instrumentalist Troy Donockley. Wiki categorizes it as a "progressive folk", while the band itself does not try to use any labels.

The press release says: " Auri have presented a world to be unlocked with the senses, blending folk, progressive and symphonic elements, world music, pop and avant-garde. The album is a tapestry of emotions - each song a world of its own, touching on childhood memories, vivid life experiences, and even a nod to one of the group’s most beloved places on Earth - The Lion Inn at Blakey Ridge, a historic spot nestled in the North York Moors and one of the most remote pubs you will ever find. With guest musicians like Frank Van Essen (strings), Jonas Pap (cello), Juho Kanervo (basses), and the incredible drumming and percussion courtesy of Nightwish’s Kai Hahto, Auri III - Candles & Beginnings is as lush as it is atmospheric and provides astonishing dynamics."

#auri #nightwish #tuomasholopainen #johannakurkela #troydonockley

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