For the past few years, Within Temptation‘s flourishing career has been at its peak — both creatively and tour-wise.

Let get to learn more about the band the what is new, Sharon answered a few questions for us to get us up to speed on everthing.

1. Tell us a little bit about the band and how long you have been together for some of our readers that may not know about the band?

We started as a band in 1996, but there was another band before Within Temptation, called ‘The Circle’. Most members who are in Within Temptation, have been in ‘The Circle’ as well and it was the exact same kind of music. So we’ve been together a little longer and started out early nineties. We’ve actually known each other since we were teenagers.

2.What got you into music and what keeps you going night after night playing?

When I look at the band, most of our parents have all been music lovers, so everybody has had a dose of good music coming from their families when growing up. I always had and I know a lot of others that had it too, so that got us into music. What keeps us going night after night, is just the fun of being together with band and crew, the joy that we have of playing live and the interaction with the audience: that is the best high you can get!

3.So, what is new with the band?..New Album out? New Videos?

 We have a new single out called ‘Entertain You’. It’s about people being different and being treated that way: There’s always a group of people that don’t fit in and somehow we always have a need to emphasize that they do not fit in by singling them out, cornering them in all sorts of ways – think of viral videos, fights on the streets et cetera. These people didn’t ask to be different, they didn’t want to be different: people are just different. And that’s beautiful! The beauty is that by being different, these people bring so much color to our society, since our society is so uniform! These people are not here for our entertainment. If we don’t realise that, it’s maybe time for bit more self reflection and wonder why you are participating in such behaviour. 

 4.If you didn’t become a musician, what would you be doing right now?

Something with fashion, because I have a bachelor’s degree in fashion.

5.What is the weirdest or funniest question you have ever been asked?

To sign the weirdest stuff – body parts mostly!

6.If you can have your fans remember you for one thing, what would that be?

I hope they’ll remember us for our passion and the energetic interaction with the band – connected to beautiful personal memories that’ll last a lifetime!

7.On a scale of one to 2593, How good is your new single compared to your last single? (my attempt at humor, but please still answer)

Don’t ask me, ask the fans ;-). It’s like choosing between your favorites!

8.What do you feel is the best song you have released to date and why?

I like our newest single of course and at this moment, but there will always be a new one. 

9. Do you think you can get any better as a musician/singer? And if so, How would you achieve that?

I think you never stop learning actually. I am still learning and I love it every single day. If you stop learning, then you stop living: nothing becomes relevant when you’re not developing yourself and I think that’s the most boring and depressing thing ever – if I have nothing left to learn!

10. If you could give your fans one random fact about you that you think they should (or should “not” know) about you what would that be?

As a kid I lived in different countries all around the world: Indonesia, Surinam and Yemen. I’ve also travelled with my parents in a super cool Volkswagen van in Australia & America!

11. You’re a new addition to the crayon box. What color would you be and why?

Turquoise, since it’s my favorite color! 

12. Who are you inspired by?

I’ve been inspired by many – starting with a lot of country music artists like Olivia Newton John, The Eagles straight into Janis Joplin and then came Kurt Cobain/Nirvana and Tori Amos. I love vocalists who are emotional, vocalists that have a certain kind of melancholy,  pureness or rawness to them. 

13. What’s an average day like for you?

There are no average days in my life. Also now with quarantine, everything has turned upside down! But  I like to go day by day.

14. Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans?

I’m very easy to approach to my opinion, but I do find it important to be respectful both ways always. 

15. Have you ever dealt with performance anxiety?

I’m still battling that haha ;-)! Especially at the beginning of a new tour I really have to get into it. My guitar player Ruud always reminds me of the fact that this is has always been always our biggest dream, to perform live as a band for a huge audience. It all starts with the fact that we are in the position to perform for so many people and every time he mentions that, it helps me relax and I enjoy every single second of it!

16. Tell me about your favorite performance venues?

It’s different every time. I like small venues because its more intimate but I also like bigger venues because then you can do more live – have flames and implement all kinds of stuff on stage that will make the show visually more interesting to watch. ‘Black Symphony’ is one of the most beautiful shows we’ve ever done: we’ve implemented street theater and collaborated with The Metropole Orchestra and Pa’dam Choir in front of 10.000 fans

17. What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

It’s important most that when you start a band and you want to stand out from the crowd, that you add something unique to your music. Something that no one has done before and is very rare. So your own identity is the most important thing that you can add to music.