Norway’s other young artists shed tears when they listen to Susanne Sundfør, that is how far she is ahead of them.”
Dagbladet
>>”THE BROTHEL” (UPHILL RACER REMIX) FREE DOWNLOAD<<
Haugesund, an idyllic smalltown by the Norwegian west coast in the mid-nineties. Susanne Sundfør likes growing up here. The astute 10-year old’s favourite hangout is the library, for she loves to immerse herself in books. She also enjoys the cinema, or to withdraw to her parents little cabin with her dad’s tapes of a-ha and Cat Stevens. Susanne is having piano lessons as well, too. Proudly she is presenting her first composition to her teacher. Susanne: „She told me to learn the piano properly first.“
An episode, which 24-year old Susanne has had to re-tell again and again. So often in fact, that the pianist and songwriter – for yes, the early discouragement would not put her off eventually – is saying today: „I feel a bit sorry for her, because so many people have picked up on it. It was only a silly piano tune. I don’t think she was really at fault.“
Well then, it is still a nice little story to introduce Susanne Sundfør, the songwriter, darling of the critics. The artist that collects awards as well as chart hits about whom ‘Dagbladet’ wrote: „Norways other young artists have to cry when they hear her, so far is she ahead of them“
That daily newspaper is not exaggerating. We can hear that on „The Brothel“. This is a record unlike any you have heard before. It is artistic. It is deep. It’s ambient. It’s exotic. It is brimming with tension. Piano-lines fight against and melt into woodwinds to suddenly burst into industrial samples. We hear ensembles of strings and sounds from the hard drive harmonize with arabian harmonies („Turkish Delight“) or choral hymns („Father Father“). Above all of this: Susanne`s voice. She is belting, she is soothing, wallowing, whispering and wailing. She is always hitting the perfect tone in this enchanted world of sound of hers.
The record has been a turning point for Susanne Sundfør, not only because it is the first to be released outside her home country. „I don’t think I really decided that I really wanted to to dedicate my life to making music until I was 22, when i finished my last album. Before I wasn’t sure if maybe I did want a normal job.“
So Susanne would immerse even more deeply in the creation of her third album, with some of the biggest names of the Norwegian scene happy to lend a hand.
„It was inspiring to work with so many talented musicians! I found the sound that i felt most comfortable with. The sounds evolved in the collaboration with the producer Lars Horntveth (of Jaga Jazzist and The National Bank). While all the musicians who contributed had artistic freedom in what they did, it was really good the me and Lars understood each other and understood where to go. My goal was to make it even more electronic, Lars suggested strings and the bass clarinet and the vibraphone. Because of him the sound became much more human, organic, but also with a lot of contrasts. I like the contrasts between the different elements, i think its cool that a song can be warm and industrial at the same time.“
It comes as no surprise then that „The Brothel“ gave Susanne her second nomination for Best Female Artist at the „Spellemannprisen“’s, the Norwegian Grammy’s. Susanne received her first Spelleman two years ago for its predecessor „Take One“, sparking a nationwide discussion with her acceptance speech. „I said that i am an artist first and secondly a woman“
Being consequent, Susanne has refused to accept the second nomination. It is not something she likes to bang on about. „Well I mean, it’s not really a big deal. It’s really just about my own opinion, and I am surprised that the prize concerns my gender. It is a common way of talking about ‘female musicians’, whereas male musicians are talked about just as musicians. I dont need to be reminded of my sex all the time – and sometimes there’s something you have to fight for to happen.“
Something Susanne loves to talk about though is a-ha. The songstress is one of four winners of the talent grant the Scandinavian icons of synth pop have administered for aspiring musicians. 1 Million Kronor (ca. 126.000 EUR / 100.000 £) was what Susanne received from Morten Harket, Pål Waaktar-Savoy und Magne Furuholmen. „That was just great. Everything about it. Later I toured with them – all the winners got to support them – I was honored to meet and talk to them. And of course it was amazing to win that money. Hopefully it will help us in a good way. The money is supposed to be used for promotion abroad – for touring, releases, everything that has to do with supporting your music.“ Ah, right. It is earmarked so that bands don’t blow it all on cocaine. „Exactly“ comes a wicked laugh from Susanne. „’Cause THAT was my original plan!“
Immense talent, rightful stubbornness AND a sense of humour. We are really happy to present Susanne Sundfør and to have her over here soon.
Music video of Susanne Sundfør’s new single „The Brothel“
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HhT8z6Bxfo[/youtube]
Regisseur: Eric Alvin Wangel