Compared to interviews in the past you seem to be very cheerful and fresh. What happened? 

I changed my diet and my habits. From now on it's just coffee, cigarettes and coke - and once in a while solid food, but no more drugs. Those were just fun for the first 10 years - until my body couldn't take it anymore. So I had to stop and get satisfaction from somewhere else. 

Am I allowed to ask how? 

I hurl myself into work! Seriously: I've turned from alcoholic into workaholic and I've never written more songs than now. I don't even know what to do with them. Maybe I should give some of them away. 

Like for the soundtrack of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland? 

Unfortunately me recording a duet for that film with Fiona Apple is just a rumor. But I couldn't imagine anything better. I would absolutely love to meet Fiona - and Johnny Depp who plays the leading role, too. 

Could you imagine working as an actor yourself? 

I don't think I would be talented for that. Although I did manage to get a small part in the Finnish version of Madagascar II. I dubbed this hippo which comes out of the water trying to seduce the female. He's a pretty sappy guy with a very low voice who thinks he's incredibly sexy. Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.Am dubbed the original one - and I was the Barry White of Helsinki. It was really funny. 

If you don't dub horny hippos, what's going on in your love life? 

I've been single for a while. It's just better for everyone involved. Because I do have the talent of affronting people and being a real asshole. This is why all of my relationships failed so far. And I promised myself to keep it low and look unhurriedly. 

Look for what? 

For somebody who has her own life and loves what she does. Unfortunately I haven't found that person yet. But if I do my jaw will probably drop to the floor and I'll be on my knees. I'm waiting for that to happen and hopefully it'll happen some time. 

And what can we expect from the new HIM record? 

The same as always. 

Pompous gothic-pop? 

And there's nothing wrong with it. I'm a big 80s pop fan who loves strong melodies and choruses. That's why this is part of our sound. We try to sound like The Cult meets a-ha or Depeche Mode meets Guns N' Roses. This is the vibe we like. Real rock but with a lot of drama, melancholy and gay keyboards. 

*Thank you to shining_rose from Live Journal for the translation.