Photo by Mirjam Bosch
Norwegian singer songwriter PETTER CARLSEN will release his new album Sirens on September 19th via Function Records. His songs are the incorporation of Norway’s beauty. With his beautiful, calm and melancholic style he takes the listener (you) on an emotional travel. NOTHING BUT HOPE AND PASSION sat down with PETTER CARLSEN to talk about Norway, his dream collaborations, dragons, tiny legs and a lot more.
You’re from Norway. What would you say the music scene’s like there?
It’s a small country, but it’s definitely alive and growing. A lot of Norwegian artists have international success these days, so that’s a good sign. Touring in Norway is a strange/nice/expensive experience I guess, because of great distances from one place to another, with a beautiful landscape.
What influences can you list?
BEETHOVEN, MICHAEL JACKSON, ANATHEMA, MEW, BON IVER, mum (my mother, not the band), RADIOHEAD, SIGUR ROS, ALEKSANDER KOSTOPOULOS (PIL & BUE). The last one a lot, as it works as a trigger for writing and doing my solo stuff.
What would your dream collaboration be?
hmmmmmmm…I have done a lot of really exciting and meaningful collaborations, but it would be interesting to make music with OLAFUR ARNALDS, THOM YORKE.
What other current artists are you particularly into?
The ones I mentioned above, and a lot more. There are is so much good music out there.
What does the future hold for you?
I don’t know, and that’s good. I’m going to continue my involvement with music.
I would like to start a family one day. That would be nice.
Would you rather have a dragon or be a dragon?
I would to have a dragon, that could take me an additional musicians to gigs. Would be lovely.
Would you rather have legs the size of fingers or fingers the size of legs?
hmmmmm. Have to go for Legs the size of fingers, but I don’t like the thought.
Would you rather whisper or shout for the rest of your life?
Shout. And play rock music for the rest of my life. And then some.
What was your ‘The Moment That Everything Changed’?
I think there has been a few decisive moments in my life, but one important is when my father died, and I became aware of that this is it. I wanted to do music but I didn’t go full on before this moment.
How would you describe your sound to a deaf person?
Dreamy and melodic. A bit melancholic.
What do hope and passion mean to you?
Everything. Cornerstones in my life and in my music.
PETTER CARLSEN on tour
presented by NOTHING BUT HOPE AND PASSION
07.09.2014 – NL – Maastricht – Bruis
30.09.2014 – DE – Hamburg – Kleiner Donner
01.10.2014 – DE – Leipzig – Telegraph
02.10.2014 – DE – Berlin – Berlin Independent Night
03.10.2014 – NL – Gouda – So What!
04.10.2014 – NL – Amsterdam – Noorderkerk
05.10.2014 – FR – Paris
06.10.2014 – BE – Gent – Video
09.09.2014 – DE – Berlin – Admiralspalast (SOLD OUT)