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Interwiev ´Joongang Daily´s (Korea, oct 2005):
1. Compare to other musicians, your debut is rather late in life.
What took you so long to record a debut album?
1. This debut is the result of many years of singing in various bands and projects. So in essens, you can say that all theese years have been a preparation for this debut cd. And now the time was right for me, and after all these years I felt my singing had matured into a voice of my own.
2. What motivated to record your own album?
2. One thing was the encouragement I have received from friends, fellow musicians and audiences. Another thing, is that this has been a long time dream of mine, and I wanted my singing to reace a larger audience.
3. Please, describe life before your debut. How early were you involved in music?
3. I got involved in music at a very early age. My father used to sing and play for me when I grew up, and I started singing while I was a little girl. For as long as I can remember, music, regardless of style, has played a huge and important role in my life. For nearly twenty years
I have worked closely with local musicians and well known musicians with a nationwide reputation. For a period of six years I was the lead singer of a local bigband, and later on led my own jazz quintet "My favorite strings". I have also had the pleasure of working closely with one of Norways finest latin-jazz guitarists. In later years, I have done lots of freelance live work with different jazz musicians, as well as lending my voice to several CD-releases.
4. What is your favorite music genre? I guess that is jazz. Which song and musician do you like best?
4. I don`t think I have one favorite music genre, cause I have always enjoyed a varety of musical styles, all of which has influenced me in one way or another.Bit I do love good melodies and songs that have a strong emotional impact. I especially enjoy jazz because of its open musical spaces and freedom for improvisation. It challenges the creativity and enourages many diverse expressions.
5. What is the characteristics and merits of your vocal?
5. "Less is more". I believe in expressing myself in a low-key manner, and in a simple and direct way.
6. What did it do for you to work so closely with your own son, and how did he involve in your music career?
6. Of course it made me very proud. But I don`t invite him to play with me only because he`s my son, but because he is a very good musician, as he has prooved in many other projects before playing together with me.
7. I know Arendal is your hometown. I¹d like to know about Arendal. What did affect you and your music your lifes in Arendal?
7. My village is quite small, with a population of approx 60 000, and is located on the south coast of Norway. Many tourists come here every summer because of the idyllic scenery of the open coast line. Arendal also has a surpsisingly active cultural life, compared to the population. And in spring 2005 we opened our brand new concert house. We have also a well known Jazz/blues festival : Canal Street jazz/blues. For one week in July, they give more than 50 conserts. No matter where you live, I think you`ll be influenced by the people you meet. Arendal has always had a good number of good musicians, especially considering
how small the town is. But it`s impossible to say if I had been a different kind of singer if I had lived somehwere else...
8. How do you and your son influence each other in music?
8. Hopefully, I had the same influence on him, as my father had on me when I was a little girl. Bit it`s hard for me to say whether I had any influence over his choice of musical directions, but we have a high mutual admiration and respect for each other.
9. Typical Scandinavian jazz is known for its °ƒlow-key°± in Korea, sounds are somewhat technical and not too emotional. But, I found your music very comforting. How would you describe your own music? How does it feel to get so much respect and positive feedback from the listeners?
9. I am pleased that you find my music comforting. My intension with my music, is to fill it with emotional warmth through simple acoustic means. Perhaps the more "distant" nordic sound type of jazz is better known in Korea ?
10. You've got an amazing ability to add sense of comfort to a song. Where does that come from? Your voice is incredibly peaceful on the album. Are you actually intended to give restful/ peaceful impressions to the listeners? Or, what would you like to pursue through your music?
10. Thanks for your compliment! You know, as they say, music is a healer. So, if I can bring a sence of comfort, peace, perhaps even joy to those who listen to my singing, then I`m happy . It`s difficult for me to be more specific about this. I just sing as I do and in my own way, and I can only hope that it will mean something to somebody..
11. How did you select the songs in Make This Moment?
11. The most important aspect of making "Make this moment", was to create a record that showed my own fingerprint, and that I knew was 100 percent "me". So besides choosing the right repertoire, it was also very important for me to get the right musicians, producer and studio. I wanted us to work in an enviroment where we felt comfortable and safe, in order to achieve the best results possible. I decided to mix standard jazz and pop music on my album, cause I think it is exiting to see how it would work together. But I want to give all the melodies a touch of jazz . The criterias involved in picking the individual songs had to do with my love for good melodies and songs who have ment a lot to me in one way or another. I also had the pleasure of collaborating with two of my old friends and music colleagues in Arendal, who wrote som beautiful songs for my album.
12. You sounded very articulate and penetrating with lyrics. What is the secret/key to deliver the depth of emotions as well as words in your songs?
12. It`s important for me to sing songs where I can relate to the lyrics, and use my own experiences to express the emotions of the song. I prefer the arrangements to give me enough space to enable me to dwell on the words and phrasing.
13. Your first album, °ƒMake this Moment°± is such a hit! Did you expect the success of the debut album? Or, what was your expectation?
13. To be honest, I am overwhelmed by the sucsess of my album. I was confident that we`d done the best we could, and that we were satisfied with the result. Even if we had only sold a thousand copies in Norway, I would have been quite happy. But now, that it`s become such a great succsess in Asia, we`re thrilled..
14. Especially, Your music is loved by Asian people. What do you think about this? What is the reason?
14. Of course I am very pleased you love it so much. But I really can`t say why the album has been so well received in Asia. Beeing an unknown artist on your continent, I can only speculate. But music is an international language and perhaps there`s something about my style that "speaks" to you ? Also, - even though I am an unknown artist to you, much of the music I perform is well known. Perhaps that explains some of it ?
15. What¹s the meaning of music in your life? What is the most important thing in life?
15. I think music gives meaning to life, and life gives meaning to music. Music is a way to express emotions that otherwise may be hard to communicate.. Hopefully, I can touch others through my singing. The most important thing in life ? Oh, it`s a great question. Love must be the cue.
16. I guess you are warm and comfortable person. Please describe your character.
16. Thank you! But I guess it`s best to leave the characterization of my person to those who know me best ;-)
17. Individually, I like the song ŒSebastian¹s Waltz² in your album. Why did you eliminate lyrics of this song?
17. "Sebastians waltz" is written by a firend of ours, and is dedicated to my bass players son, Sebastian. He went through a very difficult and dramatic birth. So this is a very personal song for all of us. At one time I tried out some lyrics to it, but I decided to keep it like this, - sometimes words get in the way...
18. Very anxious to see you in Seoul! May you inform us set lists of concert? What will you be showing to Korean fans besides the songs from the album?
18. We are very exited about the conserts in Seoul, and we look forward to them! I will sing songs from my album, and other songs from the standardjazz/pop rep. The actual sequence of the songs hasn`t been set yet.
19. Would you give a word to your be waited fans in Korea.
19. In a few days from now, we`ll meet, and we promise to do our best to give you a great consert!
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1. Compare to other musicians, your debut is rather late in life.
What took you so long to record a debut album?
1. This debut is the result of many years of singing in various bands and projects. So in essens, you can say that all theese years have been a preparation for this debut cd. And now the time was right for me, and after all these years I felt my singing had matured into a voice of my own.
2. What motivated to record your own album?
2. One thing was the encouragement I have received from friends, fellow musicians and audiences. Another thing, is that this has been a long time dream of mine, and I wanted my singing to reace a larger audience.
3. Please, describe life before your debut. How early were you involved in music?
3. I got involved in music at a very early age. My father used to sing and play for me when I grew up, and I started singing while I was a little girl. For as long as I can remember, music, regardless of style, has played a huge and important role in my life. For nearly twenty years
I have worked closely with local musicians and well known musicians with a nationwide reputation. For a period of six years I was the lead singer of a local bigband, and later on led my own jazz quintet "My favorite strings". I have also had the pleasure of working closely with one of Norways finest latin-jazz guitarists. In later years, I have done lots of freelance live work with different jazz musicians, as well as lending my voice to several CD-releases.
4. What is your favorite music genre? I guess that is jazz. Which song and musician do you like best?
4. I don`t think I have one favorite music genre, cause I have always enjoyed a varety of musical styles, all of which has influenced me in one way or another.Bit I do love good melodies and songs that have a strong emotional impact. I especially enjoy jazz because of its open musical spaces and freedom for improvisation. It challenges the creativity and enourages many diverse expressions.
5. What is the characteristics and merits of your vocal?
5. "Less is more". I believe in expressing myself in a low-key manner, and in a simple and direct way.
6. What did it do for you to work so closely with your own son, and how did he involve in your music career?
6. Of course it made me very proud. But I don`t invite him to play with me only because he`s my son, but because he is a very good musician, as he has prooved in many other projects before playing together with me.
7. I know Arendal is your hometown. I¹d like to know about Arendal. What did affect you and your music your lifes in Arendal?
7. My village is quite small, with a population of approx 60 000, and is located on the south coast of Norway. Many tourists come here every summer because of the idyllic scenery of the open coast line. Arendal also has a surpsisingly active cultural life, compared to the population. And in spring 2005 we opened our brand new concert house. We have also a well known Jazz/blues festival : Canal Street jazz/blues. For one week in July, they give more than 50 conserts. No matter where you live, I think you`ll be influenced by the people you meet. Arendal has always had a good number of good musicians, especially considering
how small the town is. But it`s impossible to say if I had been a different kind of singer if I had lived somehwere else...
8. How do you and your son influence each other in music?
8. Hopefully, I had the same influence on him, as my father had on me when I was a little girl. Bit it`s hard for me to say whether I had any influence over his choice of musical directions, but we have a high mutual admiration and respect for each other.
9. Typical Scandinavian jazz is known for its °ƒlow-key°± in Korea, sounds are somewhat technical and not too emotional. But, I found your music very comforting. How would you describe your own music? How does it feel to get so much respect and positive feedback from the listeners?
9. I am pleased that you find my music comforting. My intension with my music, is to fill it with emotional warmth through simple acoustic means. Perhaps the more "distant" nordic sound type of jazz is better known in Korea ?
10. You've got an amazing ability to add sense of comfort to a song. Where does that come from? Your voice is incredibly peaceful on the album. Are you actually intended to give restful/ peaceful impressions to the listeners? Or, what would you like to pursue through your music?
10. Thanks for your compliment! You know, as they say, music is a healer. So, if I can bring a sence of comfort, peace, perhaps even joy to those who listen to my singing, then I`m happy . It`s difficult for me to be more specific about this. I just sing as I do and in my own way, and I can only hope that it will mean something to somebody..
11. How did you select the songs in Make This Moment?
11. The most important aspect of making "Make this moment", was to create a record that showed my own fingerprint, and that I knew was 100 percent "me". So besides choosing the right repertoire, it was also very important for me to get the right musicians, producer and studio. I wanted us to work in an enviroment where we felt comfortable and safe, in order to achieve the best results possible. I decided to mix standard jazz and pop music on my album, cause I think it is exiting to see how it would work together. But I want to give all the melodies a touch of jazz . The criterias involved in picking the individual songs had to do with my love for good melodies and songs who have ment a lot to me in one way or another. I also had the pleasure of collaborating with two of my old friends and music colleagues in Arendal, who wrote som beautiful songs for my album.
12. You sounded very articulate and penetrating with lyrics. What is the secret/key to deliver the depth of emotions as well as words in your songs?
12. It`s important for me to sing songs where I can relate to the lyrics, and use my own experiences to express the emotions of the song. I prefer the arrangements to give me enough space to enable me to dwell on the words and phrasing.
13. Your first album, °ƒMake this Moment°± is such a hit! Did you expect the success of the debut album? Or, what was your expectation?
13. To be honest, I am overwhelmed by the sucsess of my album. I was confident that we`d done the best we could, and that we were satisfied with the result. Even if we had only sold a thousand copies in Norway, I would have been quite happy. But now, that it`s become such a great succsess in Asia, we`re thrilled..
14. Especially, Your music is loved by Asian people. What do you think about this? What is the reason?
14. Of course I am very pleased you love it so much. But I really can`t say why the album has been so well received in Asia. Beeing an unknown artist on your continent, I can only speculate. But music is an international language and perhaps there`s something about my style that "speaks" to you ? Also, - even though I am an unknown artist to you, much of the music I perform is well known. Perhaps that explains some of it ?
15. What¹s the meaning of music in your life? What is the most important thing in life?
15. I think music gives meaning to life, and life gives meaning to music. Music is a way to express emotions that otherwise may be hard to communicate.. Hopefully, I can touch others through my singing. The most important thing in life ? Oh, it`s a great question. Love must be the cue.
16. I guess you are warm and comfortable person. Please describe your character.
16. Thank you! But I guess it`s best to leave the characterization of my person to those who know me best ;-)
17. Individually, I like the song ŒSebastian¹s Waltz² in your album. Why did you eliminate lyrics of this song?
17. "Sebastians waltz" is written by a firend of ours, and is dedicated to my bass players son, Sebastian. He went through a very difficult and dramatic birth. So this is a very personal song for all of us. At one time I tried out some lyrics to it, but I decided to keep it like this, - sometimes words get in the way...
18. Very anxious to see you in Seoul! May you inform us set lists of concert? What will you be showing to Korean fans besides the songs from the album?
18. We are very exited about the conserts in Seoul, and we look forward to them! I will sing songs from my album, and other songs from the standardjazz/pop rep. The actual sequence of the songs hasn`t been set yet.
19. Would you give a word to your be waited fans in Korea.
19. In a few days from now, we`ll meet, and we promise to do our best to give you a great consert!
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Back to main page