Capri Virkkunen

Päivi "Capri" Virkkunen later known as Päivi Selo[1] (born 28 February 1972), simply known as Capri, is a Finnish singer and vocal coach. She started as a pop singer in Finland and also member of a cover band. Starting 2012, she has become the vocalist metal singer of the Finnish symphonic power metal band Amberian Dawn replacing earlier band vocalist Heidi Parviainen[2] starting with the band's compilation album Re-Evolution.

Capri Virkkunen
Capri performing a solo show live in Tampere, Finland
Background information
Birth namePäivi Virkkunen
Also known asPäivi Selo
Born (1972-02-28) 28 February 1972
Vaasa, Finland
GenresGlam rock, europop, symphonic power metal
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, vocal coach
InstrumentsVocals, piano
Years active1997–present
LabelsNapalm Records
Associated actsNegative, Widespread Panic, Night and the Muska, Waldo's People, Amberian Dawn

Early life

Capri first began singing in front of audiences at the young age of 3. As a teenager, she began to play the piano, and as well focused on vocal lessons on both classical and rock singing, but preferably, she took rock singing as her main focus. By the time she reached the age of 19, she took singing lessons, she studied to become a vocal coach.

In her early years, Capri studied at the Central Ostrobothnia Conservatory of Music in 1991, and taught at the Oriveden Institute.[1] Among other things, she was a singing coach for Tampere Workers' Theatre in the musical Chicago.

Career

Solo career

At the start of Capri's career, she participated in many song competition such as the Finnish MTV3 singing talent competition Syksyn Sävel twice.[2] Signed to Sony Music label, she released two pop solo albums. Salaa Sinun mostly written by songwriter Kari Salli was released on Polydor in 1997 with five tracks launched as singles. She toured with the band Swingers to promote her album.

She also took part in a music television competition Syksyn sävel on MTV3 twice, first singing "Vertigo" in 1998 and later "Oot kuin varjo vierelläin" in 2000 without winning the competition. In 2001. she followed up with a second solo album titled Kuun Morsian again mostly with songs by Kari Salli released on AGM label.

She later on focused on song interpretations of rock and heavy metal songs. More recently, she toured locally with other artists, performing covers ranging from pop songs from Adele, Pink and Roxette to metal songs from Nightwish, Within Temptation and Skid Row amongst others.

Eurovision

In the late 2000s, she took part in qualifications for the Finnish entries for Eurovision Song Contest on two occasions, first with the Finnish dance and pop band Movetron in 2008 where they interpreted "Cupido" and with a second try with the 2009 Finnish representative entry by the Finnish Eurodance band Waldo's People and was in the backing vocals for the Finnish entry "Lose Control" during their performances in Moscow where the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest was held.[1]

Amberian Dawn (2012–present)

On 21 December 2012, Amberian Dawn announced that Capri is the new singer after the departure of Heidi Parviainen. She sang first for the band in the June 2013 compilation album, giving new vocal interpretations for songs from four earlier albums by Amberian Dawn, namely River Of Tuoni (2008), The Clouds of Northland Thunder (2009), End of Eden (2010) and Circus Black (2012).

Amberian Dawn released album Magic Forest[3] on 2013 with a new style, which Tuomas Seppälä considered more like "symphonic metal".

Next Amberian Dawn album "Innuendo" where she is lead vocalist is pre-ranked very high on symphonic / traditional heavy-metal genre and is released October 2015.

Other works

Capri works as a vocal coach in Tampere Workers' Theatre and Musiikkiteatteri Palatsi. She was a studio artist singing backing vocals for works written and produced by Finnish artist Kari Salli for recordings for Merja Raski, Eini T. T. Purontaka. She has been involved in many records of well-known artists, such as Negative, Widespread Panic, Uniklubi, Yö, and the Muska.

In 2013, she portrayed the role of Frida Lyngstad of the band ABBA in a stage musical about the group.

Discography

Solo albums
  • Salaa Sinun (1997)
  • Kuun Morsian (2001)

Amberian Dawn

References
  1. Palatsi Teatteri: Päivi Selo (Capri) biography (in Finnish)
  2. Ilta Sanomat: 1990-luvun iskelmälaulaja on nyt heavy-bändin kaunis keulahahmo (in Finnish)
  3. Metalhammer: Amberian Dawn to release Magic Forest
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