Interview with Kari Bremnes - English Version

(Kari Bremnes)

23.03.2009 von Jessica Walther

Kari Bremnes, the great Norwegian Singer, adds another fantastic album to her discography, with her new release “Ly”. If, she sings, like on earlier about Norwegian legends (Svarta Bjørn) or makes music out of Edvard Munch’s diaries, she always does it in her own unique way. Jazzy pop or poppy Jazz, whatever you like to call it. On “Ly”, which is released on 27.03.2009, she lets the sunshine in. With lighter tones and weird Lofotendelikatessen, there’s enough to talk about, thought Jessica Walther from Musicheadquarter and asked some questions to Kari Bremnes. Here are her charming answers.

Your new LP has an all in all lighter note. Beginning with the cover with its light colours and even a bit of sunshine. The music, especially songs like “Passelig Dose” and “Kåpa I Milano” are unusually light, not to say sunny. Was that a decision or a development while writing and recording the album?

Kari Bremnes: Oh, this was a development while writing. The only thing I decide before I start writing songs for a new album is actually that I want to write some new songs, and then I write about things that come to my mind. I think darkness and light live in the same room, shoulder by shoulder, there is something funny in almost everything – and also there is blues in most things. I like this to appear in my songs as well. Maybe I have made it even more clear this time, with this album. I agree that "Ly" has a lighter side, especially in the music. And the cover, I was so convinced that the photos should be taken in the north, in Lofoten islands, where I come from. I like the beauty of white winter.

Nick Cave writes and works in an office, just like an accountant. Do you have a writing routine?

Kari Bremnes: Yes, I definitely have that. I have an office in an old house in the middle of Oslo, where I can sing and play music as loud as I like, and there is where I write. I go to my office every morning, when I´m not touring or on vacation. For me it is best to keep a continuity in my work, so I write daily.

Scandinavian musicians work together a lot. Arve Henriksen for example was also a guest on the Odd Nordstoga LP. Is that something very unique about Scandinavia, that musicians all seem to know each other and are always playing on each other recordings? Sounds a bit like one big family.

Kari Bremnes: But we are a small country, you know, and we know of each other and sometimes meet at the same stage. It is easier to get in contact when the world is smaller. Norwegian musicians also do not mind to cross musical boarders, it is not very important what genre you play, if the music is good.

A lot of Scandinavian bands found their way to Germany. From Wencke Myhre to Kaizers Orchestra. Is there a band or an artist that you like very much or maybe discovered only lately that we should look out for?

Kari Bremnes: Ida Maria is a young girl who is very talented, I think. She is a rock`n roll girl, original and strong in expression. I also like Ane Brun a lot, and Maria Mena, but I think you have discovered these already.

"I think my audience know that there is quite a bit of lightheartedness in what I do."

Every record store puts your music somewhere else. Your music ist genre defying: Pop, Jazz, World. It can’t be adequately described as “sounds like …” because, frankly you just sound like yourself. Not many artists archieve that kind of unique sound. Are you aware of that?

Kari Bremnes: I am very glad to hear that, and I have heard it said before, yes. My music comes out of my lyrics, that`s where it always starts. And I write about what I see and what I experience, it has to be personal. I believe in being personal, for me that is the best way to tell a story. The most direct line.

Your career is spinning over 20 years now. Have you ever thought about writing an autobiography?

Kari Bremnes: No, never! (smiles) I like to write about here and now.

Dark, sensual, melancholic are words that are often used describing you and your music. Have you ever been tired of that? When you performed with the camp group The Penthouse Playboys, people seemed to be surprised that you have a humourous side.

Kari Bremnes: Sometimes I can be tired of those descriptions you mention, because they can put up a distance between who I actually am and who people think I am as an artist. But for now, I think my audience know that there is quite a bit of lightheartedness in what I do. I know I can be dark and melancholic, but everyone that has experienced any of my concerts know that I also show a lighter side. There is a lot to laugh about, and I certainly do. My own mistakes, for instance. People without self-irony are very boring.

You recorded “Lite Barn Som Kommer” for the Mette-Marit curated LP “Sorgen Og Gleden”. What was the atmosphere like, during the recordings, with the crownprincess being present?

Kari Bremnes: The atmosphere was warm and relaxed.

"Berlin is very much alive and young and vital, and at the same time so deeply marked by its history."

As travelling being one of your re-occurring themes. Is there a place where you really want to go to, but haven’t yet been to?

Kari Bremnes: I would really like to go to Vietnam. I have a fascination for Asia. I was in Thailand last year and liked it a lot. The food was sensational, the people were extremely friendly, and everything is so different from Scandinavia. The colours, the way of speaking, not to mention the temperature!

You said in a newspaper interview that you really like Berlin. And as it was a Norwegian newspaper you spoke to, it seems to be true and not just politeness. So, as a Berlinerin myself, I would like to know, what’s your favourite spot in Berlin?

Kari Bremnes: I haven`t got a favourite spot, I have been there for such short periodes of time, always working. But I love the atmosphere of the city. It is very much alive and young and vital, and at the same time so deeply marked by its history. My first visit to Berlin was as a journalist at the filmfestival, before the wall was down. I remember standing near Checkpoint Charlie, looking over to East Berlin and the uniformed men in the middle, with weapons. An incredible sight, hard to believe if I hadn`t seen it with my own eyes. At this time I also got an interview with Gisela May at the Brecht-theater, in the kantine. I remember the smell of cooked meat and cabbage. And all the actors were wearing blue jackets and trousers, like workers in China. Seemed strange to me. I really would like to spend some days in Berlin, to find some favourite spots. I am sure they are easily found. The nearest I get to a favourite spot in Berlin now is my beautiful teabox from KaDeWe, where I keep my morning tea. But if you have some spots to recommend, I´ll be glad to know.

Last question, weird question: I saw a documentary about the Lofoten. There was a boy, who cut out fishtongue’s (cod) to top up his pocket money. They said it’s a Lofoten delicacy, fishtongues. Is that true, because it sounds so weird, both the job and the delicacy. Have you ever eaten fishtongues?

Kari Bremnes: Yes, several times, I grew up with them. They are really delicious, especially when fried in oil, to have a crispy surface. My elder brother cut fishtongues as a boy, to buy his first stereo. So the first music I really loved, Dylan and Joni Mitchell, came to my ears as a result of fishtongues!

What a nice ending. Thank you, Kari Bremnes!

For the opportunity of this interview, many thanks to Regina Dittrich and Andrea Seeger of Strange Ways.

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