Starting Sunday, Samu Haber will be touring Germany for the last time with his band Sunrise Avenue. With the star the Finnish singer spoke about tearful concerts, the difficult farewell to his band – and his plans for the future.
He looks stunning. Samu Haber sits slightly sweaty and shirtless in his apartment in Helsinki, his otherwise short hair has now grown into a real surfer’s mane. He just got back from his workout, boxing training and martial arts, he says. To stay fit for his band Sunrise Avenue’s farewell tour. Twelve more concerts in Germany, then it’s finally over with the so popular rock of the Finns.
Sorry, but we have to start with the typical footballer question: how are you feeling?
I feel really really good. Our farewell tour is halfway through, but it still feels magical to even be on stage again. I had an inkling that it was going to be very emotional and exhilarating, but my expectations were exceeded.
Have you probably never cried so often on a stage?
Well, actually I don’t cry that often, now it brings tears to my eyes when I announce: Okay, this is our last song, our last gig in cities like Zurich, Munich or Hamburg. Because it washes up a lot of memories of the clubs and arenas, the people and the encounters. After all, this time we always have several days off between the concerts. My management hates that because such interruptions cost a lot of money. For me it is glorious. I can just stay a few more days in each city and soak up the smell of the streets.
Do you have any special memories of the concerts in Germany?
Most of my memories have to do with Germany. For example, I remember one of our very first performances. That was in the Cologne club “Underground”, I even had three German fans. I stupidly suffered from a throat infection and took a pill that is also said to help against snake bites. Or the crazy loud fans in Munich. Or the backstage area of a club in Hamburg. There was a sign there that reminded the often very drunk musicians in which city they were playing, very funny. When we returned to Finland from Germany, we thought: Why are the fans just standing there? Why is no one clapping? My manager was crying backstage back then.
Was there anything good about the long break caused by the pandemic?
From a business standpoint, it wouldn’t have been bad the other way around either. But when do you ever get the chance to take a break for two years – and then come back changed? We’ve re-appreciated what we’ve accomplished as a band. When we play the old songs, they feel more meaningful now, more relevant. Before the first shows, I secretly looked: did that many people really come? Without masks and without a distance of two meters? Standing in front of such a large crowd again was like a religious experience. As if we were all about to ascend to heaven together.
Was meeting the old band like a class reunion? Or like dating an ex again?
Yes, like suddenly going on vacation with your ex again. Of course, the fact that I want to leave Sunrise Avenue does not only have positive reasons. I love all the band members and my team, but it was time for a change. Now, when we’re back on stage together, I realize: In the end, Sunrise Avenue is bigger than our feelings and our egos. This is a healing knowledge.
Is it true that by the end of the band you felt so guilty that you needed a therapist?
I’ve been going to therapy for over five years and I talk about a lot of different topics. My fears or how things will continue after Corona. This helps me to better understand myself and my needs. But of course, there was also a lot of guilt. I alone wanted to finish this project – the rest could only accept that. Unfortunately, I’m changing the future plans of everyone involved, but it’s my way and I’m not the servant of others or obligated to them. I want to make the best use of my years. Who knows: maybe in my next life I’ll be reborn as a crab – and on the second day I’ll be eaten by a penguin.
You have contracted Corona twice. Were you afraid for your lungs, your voice?
Above all, I was worried about my health in general. The fact that the virus could kill me would not be such good news for me. Above all, Corona was annoying. After the second infection I had a high fever for a long time. In the end, however, the illness was more of an eye-opener for me: there are no guarantees, no absolute control in my privileged life. We should always be thankful for what we have.
After the end of the Sunrise era you now want to start a solo career with songs in Finnish. What if the audience shouts: “Shut up – and play the hits!”
My new album will be released on September 30th. I hope most listeners will know by then that I only play songs in my native language now. I guarantee: I won’t sing any Sunrise Avenue songs at my concerts, not even unplugged.
And next year will you represent Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest?
You’re more likely to get involved to make your music better known in Europe, and Europe already knows my music. Some of my friends are always present at the local preliminary round. But you would have to give me certain mushrooms for me to take part. I’ve been asked several times, of course. So never say never.
Never say never to a Sunrise Avenue reunion in ten years?
I never say never, but I would be very surprised. Even my decision to leave the band, including the pandemic, dragged on for over six years. Still, a friend of mine got divorced – two years later they were back together and happy. On the other hand: In show business you have to really burn for what you do and there are easier and faster ways to make money. But if my solo career goes completely down the drain and I’m laughed at as a failure, maybe I’ll reconsider. Or I’ll just sing in English again.
The most important question at the end: Is your beautiful long hair due to the pandemic?
partly, partly. Due to Corona, you couldn’t go to the hairdresser for a while. But now I also like that I can let my hair fly so beautifully on stage. And I’m pretty good at hiding behind them sometimes.
There are still tickets left for some of the concerts, including in Leipzig and Berlin, www.sunriseave.com