When you meet Shiraz Lane, there’s always a spark — that unfiltered energy that makes you feel they’re in it for all the right reasons. Sitting down with vocalist Hannes Kett and guitarist Jani Laine, it’s clear that the band is buzzing with excitement about their new album ‘In Vertigo’, which they see as the beginning of a fresh chapter in the band’s story.

“It feels surreal,” Hannes says with a grin. “We’ve been working on these songs for nearly two years, and now we finally get to share them. It’s been the most enjoyable songwriting process of our career.”

That sense of renewal runs through every part of the album — the sound, the songwriting, even the spirit of the band. Shiraz Lane intentionally stripped things down this time, focusing on catchy melodies, rhythm, and emotional connection rather than complexity. “We wanted songs people could grab onto right away,” Hannes explains. “You hear the chorus once, and by the second time you’re already singing along. It’s all about that immediate spark.”

Compared to the darker tones of their previous record, ‘In Vertigo’ feels lighter, more energetic, and full of warmth — without losing its emotional range. “I’m all about melodies and rhythm,” Hannes adds. “I want to dance, to feel good, but also to cry if I need to. This album has it all. On stage, if I do my job right, I can laugh, jump, or cry with the crowd. That’s the magic.”

The chemistry within the band has been stronger than ever. Hannes, Jani, and other guitarist Miki formed the songwriting core this time, meeting several times a week before bringing their ideas into rehearsal and working them through with producer Per Aldeheim. “We were in this constant creative flow,” Hannes recalls. “It felt natural — just the joy of creating together.”

That flow also helped them stay grounded in a time that, true to the album’s name, sometimes felt like “vertigo.” “We live in strange times,” he reflects. “Everything moves so fast, it can be overwhelming. But making music together became our rock. If our songs can bring even a little security or strength to someone else, then we’ve done something right.”

Returning to Frontiers Music, the label that originally launched them, feels like another full-circle moment. “It really does feel like coming home,” Jani says. “But the label has changed a lot too. They’ve got new people, new energy, and great connections worldwide. It fits where we are now perfectly.” Both agree that having a strong label team still matters, especially when it comes to visibility and promotion. “They wanted more freshness in their roster — and that’s something we definitely bring to the table,” Jani smiles.

Musically, ‘In Vertigo’ might be simpler on the surface, but there’s plenty happening beneath it. “The experimentation this time came more from production and sound design than long solos or crazy structures,” Jani explains. “It’s all about everything fitting together.” The album even opens with the band’s first-ever use of samples — a small but symbolic sign of evolution. Songs like ‘Bullshit’ and ‘Stone Cold Lover’ stand out as moments of high energy and playful attitude. “That one’s going to be so much fun live,” Hannes says. “We’ve already tested ‘Dangerous’, ‘Bullshit’, and ‘Plastic Heart’, and they all work perfectly on stage.”

When asked which lyric best represents the current spirit of Shiraz Lane, Hannes laughs: “Probably ‘Brand new day.’ That’s exactly what this album is about.”

The band already has several Finnish shows lined up, a stop in Spain, and hints at broader touring plans for next year. “We’d love to support a bigger act,” Hannes says. “That’s how you grow — by learning from others and reaching new audiences. One way or another, we’ll make it happen. We always find a way.”

Their imagination for live shows doesn’t stop there. “There’s this abandoned factory in Germany,” Hannes recalls. “It’s massive, and the acoustics are insane — when you scream, the place screams back. It would be terrible for the sound engineer, but amazing for us!” He also mentions The Sphere in Las Vegas as a dream venue, imagining how immersive technology will transform live concerts in the future. “Who knows — maybe one day we’ll do a silent concert with VR. It’s already happening in Japan!”

Before wrapping up, we threw in a few quickfire questions. Their first albums? A “best of” Nightwish album or Children of Bodom for Jani, and Teräsbetoni – ‘Metallitotuus’ for Hannes — “very Finnish,” they laugh. The mascot for ‘In Vertigo’? “A floating eye,” Hannes grins. And their dream festival slot? “Burning Man,” Hannes says without hesitation. “Guns N’ Roses before us, and Michael Jackson headlining. Anything’s possible.”

With ‘In Vertigo’, Shiraz Lane have managed to bottle that same balance of sincerity and mischief that’s always defined them — grounded yet restless, thoughtful yet full of fun. “It’s great rock ’n’ roll,” Jani says simply. “Come see us live — it’s going to be wild.”

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