A Q&A with Herkedal
Intimate Norwegian jazz – here’s Øystein from Herkedal…
What’s the title of your latest release, and what does it mean to you?
It´s an EP called Wild Raspberries & Plum Trees. The title is a picture of my grandmother’s garden, and it means a lot to me. As a child, her garden was a paradise for me and my sisters. She lived far up in the valley west in Norway and had a huge garden filled with different kinds of fruit trees etc. It was quite magical for a child to come to her.
What was the hardest part about putting this release together, and why?
That´s a hard question, but maybe choosing what kind of sound I wanted for the release. But it wasn´t that hard with Kristoffer and Myrtoula. The first time we wrote together we made ‘When Heaven Calls’. One of the singles on the EP
Who produced the release – what did they bring to it?
Kristoffer Lo and Myrtoula Røe produced the release with me. What I love most about them is that they give so much space for me to explore and be creative. They create a safe space which I really love.
What do you want the listener to take away from listening to your music?
I hope that people listening to this EP just set time on pause for a while, lean back and enjoy the storytelling and the music.
How does a track normally come together? Can you tell us something about the process?
On this release, we made some of the songs in the studio – the three of us. While I started on the ideas for some songs on the piano at home. We honestly just played around in the studio and had a lot of fun while making it.
What band/artists have influenced you the most since you started this project, and why?
I love jazz and classical music and I think you can hear that in the music. I just think it´s something so pure about the old jazz. Aretha Franklin for example is such a big inspiration to me. The way she sings just hits different.
What countries would you like to tour? Are there any standout venues you’d like to play in?
I would love to tour in the UK. That´s probably the biggest dream of mine. And I would love to sing in beautiful venues that have something about them.
If you could pick one track for our readers to listen to in order to get a taste of your music, what would you pick, and why?
Hmm, maybe start with Beauty In It All, because that´s me at my truest. The song is kind of an intro song and welcomes the listeners to my musical universe.
What ambitions do you have for the band/your career?
My biggest ambition is to play live as much as possible. That’s where the music comes alive. And I also hope to play outside of Norway.
Finally, as you leave the stage, what are your parting words?
I hope that people open their ears and let the music do the rest <3
Follow Herkedal on Instagram, and check them out on Spotify.
