Report: Michigan Native Fronts Dutch Band EPICA While Lead Singer Recuperates

April 10, 2008

Timothy Flynn of The Flint Journal reports: For singer Amanda Somerville, making the leap from her hometown of Flushing, Michigan to Wolfsburg, Germany, was fairly easy. Now, after spending the past decade making a musical name for herself overseas, she's hitting the road.

Somerville just began a monthlong American tour with Dutch heavy metal band EPICA, fronting the group while regular vocalist Simone Simons recovers from a staph infection.

Somerville had little time to prepare for her first tour after EPICA requested her vocal services a few weeks ago. But since the singer has worked behind the scenes with the group since 2003, she believes the transition will be a smooth one.

"The whole thing was kind of 'wham, bam,'" Somerville said. "Simone is still ill; she called to tell me she wouldn't be able to go on tour and asked me to take her place. She's been battling it for months now. It must be awful to not be able to sing for your band.

"I've been with them since their debut album," she added. "I've worked as Simone's vocal coach, and I produce their vocals and do all of the choirs. Since I was so close to the recordings, I feel comfortable. It's short notice, but it keeps you on your toes.

"It's a little bit of a precarious situation when you replace the lead singer, but they know me," she added. "The reactions have been great. People have been bummed about the situation but really supportive, as well."

Read the entire interview from The Flint Journal.

Amanda Somerville performing the song "Cry for the Moon" with EPICA on April 5, 2008 in New York City:

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