- But isn't it better? Snow, lights ...

- Yes, yes, yes, it's ... cozy. Like real Christmas. So we can start when you'll be ready.

- Ok, let's start. Many people says that ''The turn of the lights'' is extension of the theme which you began several years ago with your first solo album - theme of freedom. What can you say about it?

- Hm, I would not say that it is about freedom. Yes, the first track even called ''Liberty'' but I think this album have different conception than ''Time to be free''. In the first album I was talking about the need of break out and get your freedom but ''The turn of the light'' is more about knowledge, about subconscious. It's kind of freedom, yes, but ''The time to be free'' was more philosophical, more detached and ''The turn of the light'' is about concrete situations which we lived day by day. There is so many things which we must think about. For example, about end of the world according maya calendar. I can't say that I believe in this but at least, it's a good chance for us all to stop and think where we are, what's going on with our planet and where we go. Brazil and Russia, for example. We live in a crazy race when people try to get more, try to become reacher and buy, buy, buy. But we don't understand that there's no resoures for all of us to get what we want. And if we won't stop to hunt for material pleasures, I don't know how many time we need to recover our planet, to erase all the damage we made to it. All these thoughts I keep in my mind already a few years and I was try to look deeper in it by this album. So it's not about freedom, is about conscience, awareness of the consequences of what we do. About knowing the truth, searching the truth. In fact I'm just interesting if this world can be more harmonious place.

- I guess you know that part of your fans still dreaming that someday you'll back to Angra. And this part are sceptical about your own career. How do you struggle with this pressure?

- I don't know how many people think about it now. They are, it's for sure, and I hear sometimes: 'Ah, I don't like Andre Matos solo band, it's too different from Angra''. But if it's true, I'm happy. I'm happy because it's means that I don't stay the same. When I was in Angra we created really amazing things ... It was unforgettable period. I means music. But on the other hand, maybe people just don't understand that relationship within band became worse. And it's not simple in such situation continue to create music. It all was started with jealousy, disadvantaged ego and so on. People stopped talk with each other, stopped trust to each other, stopped being friends. It's sad when in your music you see aftermath of bad relations between people. That's what I understood in the end. And I can't stay in situation when I don't enjoy being on the stage with the band and out the stage, in the studio, during the tour. But we had a contract and we had to finish it. It was real freedom when we decided to split up. Most of the people don't know about it. And it was not my idea to start dirty talk behind each other. In any case, I just want fans to understand the reasons why we split up and why it's impossible to play together again. It was inevitably. And those who so much love Angra with Andre Matos - ok, listen the old albums, watch the old records again and again and again. And if you want to listen something from those times live - welcome, but in my solo band.

- Ok, let's forget about the past. All songs of the new album are really great. But one of them sounds different ... "Sometimes". Could you tell something about this song? Why you wrote it? What prompted you?

- *laugh and sigh* This song, ''Sometimes", is a very personal story, I have to say. *silence* Well, I have a family in Sweden and my son was born there. Of course, when I met my wife and we got married we knew that I'm a musician. But ... Mm, my family lives in Sweden and I have to spend some period, very long period far away from home. It's a constant problem with many musicians when you try to coordinate your family life and you professional life. But it is a new experience for me, I never had this kind of problem before. "Sometimes" is about my boy, about my son. You know, he's growing up and sometimes his father is not there. *sad laugh* When you listen to the lyrics, it's like it been said by his lips, not by mine lips. That what I imagine a baby boy would be thinking about such situation when your father goes away with the train and you'll never know if he's coming back ... It's a very particular feeling. It's a sad song, of course, it expresses the way I miss my son and the way I imagine what's going on in his head. Strange guy coming home sometimes ... But it's the price which I have to pay for being an artist and I'm not the only one in such situation. But it was my very personal way to express it.

- Thanks for the frank answer, Andre.

- *laugh* Simply no one asked before.

- One more song which I want to mention is "I Don't Believe in Love" by Queensryche. I won't ask you why this band, I know you liked it for many years, but why this song?

- Hm, this song from "Operation Mind" album. 1999 or something like that ... I mean that it's pretty old song. And this album is one of the best ever. Masterpiece!

- Agree, really worth to listen.

- Oh, you know it? "I Don't Believe in Love" is a bonus track for Japanese release. We did our best, we recorded the whole 5 bonuses! We all are old fans of Queensryche and this song is one of the best their songs. It was really memorable experience for me, especially during record vocal line. Geof Tate is a pioneer of progressive music and his vocal style is different from mine. I had a lot of fun! Actually I love record covers ... You know, arrangement is already done and you don't need to think about this part, can concentrate only on vocal line. "I Don't Believe in Love" is one of the songs which I always wanted to record. So that's why I did it.

- And did it great. But tell me honestly: if now you look back, do you regret about you choice to be a musician?

- Regret? *laugh* Hm, you know ... yes. Sometimes. But sometimes not. "Yes" because musician's life, no matter where you are, full of kind of dissapointment. I'll give an example. Two weeks ago here in Brazil was Lady Gaga with couple of concerts. You and me knows that she's a phenomenon on modern pop scene and I really think that she's a first-class performer and even pretty original. But what happened? She came to Brazil for the first time. In country where people longing for such shows: Madonna, Michael Jackson, KISS, it's all makes people "WOW!". So Lady Gaga came with two big shows in Rio and Sao-Paolo, each of which get something around 30-50 thousands of people. But. It was expect around 90 thousands. Sometimes reality different from what we think about it. Even Lady Gaga with all her fame sometimes suffer from unrealistic expectations. It happens with everyone. I had a pleasure to perform with great musicians who was my idols. Bruce Dickinson, Ronnie Dio, Robert Halford, Eric Adams ... I had a chance to speak with them about lot of things. Life of a musician makes you nervous. It's not all about career or comercial things, it's also about your ego, your self-concept and ability to objectively evaluate yourself. Especially now, when we have Internet and in any time can see what people write about us. It even can bring someone to suicide. We all want recognition and some people give you incredible support but some, as you said, are too sceptical: "What's the hell he's doing", "he's noone", bla bla bla but it all as it should be. I mean the only thing which we can do in such situations is keep on working, keep on believe in yourself. But can I rephrase your question? What if I had not become a musician. I would absolutaly frustrated person all my life. It's for sure. Maybe I could try to be a goalkeeper but I don't have enough talent. *laugh* Also I could be a pilot ... You know, it's my hobby. But it would be something like wake up at the 4 am and then get to airport to 5 am and almost no free time with such crazy schedule. Spending day by day like that would be boring for me. Anyway no matter which profession you choose, it always have a dark side. When you see what hide behind the scene of professional world which you like, you start to love it a bit less. *laugh* Yes, it's great when your job is what you really like to do, it's becomes funny, not struggle. But in any case you will face with dark side of it. If we'll talk about music so is commercial matter when everything is bought and sold. Of course, you see such things in any proffesion. Well, until now I never seriously thought about this question ... And it's too late for regret, all we have to do is just keep on living. Music gives me a lot of things for joy so in the end I'm happy that I'm a musician.

- Do you remember your very first childhood dream?

- My very first dream? *laugh and start to sing smth I don't know*. Hmmm, let me think ... Well, I can't guarantee that it was my very frist dream ... Actually it's two dream which I remember well. No, three! First one it was play the piano. When I saw on the TV how plays professional pianists I was fascinating by them. It was kind of magic for me. I spent a few hours every day learning how to play. And I did it. I know how to play the piano! Second dream is become a goalkeeper. But it was two things which ruined this dream: first, I'm not so tall as I should be for the football, and second - bad eyesight. So my career like a goalkeeper ended before it started. And third dream is a wish to fly. Just imagine how it is - look at the world from incredible height! Sky is so beautiful! So that's why my hobby is paraplanerism. But I should be honest, I didn't practice already a couple of years ... I simply hadn't enough time and now it makes me sad. I really want renew this hobby, I've being doing this for 10 years. It's really impossible to describe feeling when you fly over the earth almost by yourself! This is adrenaline which you'll never get from anything else. It's so amazing as being on stage!

- After these words I really want to feel it ...

- I know! If everyone could feel it, we would be able to create more wonderful things ...

- I remember how I fell in love with your Kate Bush cover "Wuthering Heights". But I still wonder what do you think about a book "Wuthering Heights"? Did you read it?

- Yes, yes, sure I read it. Actually I have a huge book collection from my grandfather. You even can't imagine whom you can find there! And yes, "Wuthering Heights" was there too. I read the book even earlier than watched the movies. I still not so much want to remember about this book 'cause it's really scary one. Very heavy. But it was pretty funny at the same time, 'cause I wanted to know what will be next but on the other hand it's became more and more scary. In the end I understood that won't read it again. It's a dark book, even cruel. The way she describes events in the house .. it makes shudder ..

- Any of your songs, if you'll see on your whole music career, written inspiring by a book?

- Hmmm, it's not so simple to remember! Actually, many of my songs inspired by a book or a movie. I constantly read books, especially classic books. For example, now I read famous Russian author. But when I say that I read something it sounds a bit strange. *laugh* 'Cause I'm kind of a person who read about 5 books at the same time! It's slower but I'm boring to read only one book. I choose it depends on my mood, you know, today some pages from this book, tomorrow - from another one.

- Well, I understand you. Some time ago I also couldn't read only one book day by day.

- Yeah, I think it's more funny! Especially when you have to leave and should take all 5 books with you! *laugh* But the best part of reading, is, for sure, RE-reading ... I don't remember who exactly said it but I'm always liked this pharse: "I don't judge people by number of the books they read. I judge them by the number they RE-read". It is really important - re-read books and re-watch movies. The same with music, btw. It's not enough to listen song just one time to understand it. How I already said, now I read Russian writer, famous one ... Michael ... Bogdanov!

- Bogdanov? Are you sure?

- Mm, already not. Wait a second, I'll check it. *clatter and noise* Michael Bulgakov! But the title is really difficult, I don't know if I can say it! *laugh* "Master and .. M .. Mar .. ", no, I can't! Let it be "Master and The Flower"! *laugh*

- Yes, it's one of my favorite book.

- And now I understand why! It's interesting that it was publish only after his death but became one of the most popular book of him. I read many Russian authors but about this book heard for the first time. My friend suggested it to me. Also recently I knew great writer Roberto Bolaño and now I can say that he's one of my favorite.

- Andre, we almost finished. Thanks a lot for so interesting and detailed answers! Would you like to say something about Russia?

- Of course! I was in Russia just one time during the Avantasia tour and it was unforgettable experience for me. I never was there before and was very curious about your country. I'm a fan of classical music and, of course, I love Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Stravinsky, and they all lived and created in Russia. Moscow reminded me my home town, Sao-Paolo, big city with a lot of people, cars and traffics. I'm really grateful how you met me in your country. Btw, not so long ago I talked with Eloy, my ex-drummer who play in Sepultura now, and he told me about their tour across Russia. They were even in Vladivostok! I would like to do something like that someday. *laugh* Thanks to all for your great support through so many years. I hope you'll enjoy my new album! Btw, do you remember Avantasia concert in Moscow?

- Well, actually I wasn't there. I lived really far away from Moscow.

- Ah, yes. I'm trying to remeber the building ... the venue where we played. Maybe you can help me?

- Hm, if you give me a few seconds, I can tell you.

- *listen* Are you googling? *laugh*

- Sometimes it's usefull! DC Gorbunov.

- Exactly! Very intersting builidng. It was built in 1938, if I'm not mistaken ... and had to be a venue for rock concerts. I lost my way in search of a toilet there! *laugh* All toilets in dress room were occupied and I went to down stairs. It was funny, feeling like you in ghost city! There was no people, very dark and all doors were closed with a signs like "No entry!" or "Because of radiation, please, wear a mask". *laugh* It was really funny, I even made a few pics there. And in the end, I was forced to back on the stage and didn't open any of those doors so still don't know why it was so dangerous. *laugh* I have a lot impressions about Moscow. Red Square, museums, subway ... Many. Many impressions.

- I hope we'll see you here again someday!

- Yes, it's for sure! If this world will still exist .. *laugh*

- Yep, waiting for December 21!

- Write to me if you'll still be alive! *laugh* Hope you have a nice evening, bye.

- Bye, Andre.