The most hilarious a-ha moment I know of: Watch this entrance by Paul Waaktaar Savoy to a Norwegian TV show back in 1990: Youtube
Saturday, 31 July 2010
Morten Harket: "We are in top shape. We are in good health everyone"
Morten Harket about the a-ha break-up:
"It is come full circle. Let’s say thank you to everyone. And it’s something you choose, because it has come to a point in yourself where you feel that it’s time, the cup is full. And we are in top shape. We are in good health everyone, and at peak work of capacity in most ways. So it is a privilege, and it is a victorious thing to do, as well. It’s a brave move too. It feels right."
(Source)
Morten Harket: "It has been a wonderful run..."
Watch interview (German interview from a-ha's Myspace)
For all German a-ha fans: Please mind there is both a digital and a physical release of "Butterfly Butterfly”. Please buy now! ;-)
Friday, 30 July 2010
Thursday, 29 July 2010
a-ha to play in Dublin..?
According to an interviw with Magne and Paul at radio lmfm last year a-ha will perform in Dublin this autumn?
(Thanks to Norman)
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
"Butterfly, Butterfly" fluttering towards the top...
a-ha's "Butterfly, Butterfly" fluttered from 13. to 6. on the Norwegian single chart! And the single is now on radio play A-lists!
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
Monday, 26 July 2010
"Nonstop July" instead of "Forever Not Yours" tonight..
a-ha performed in Dresden, Germany, tonight. The guys will now have a few days off touring, before heading over to Japan.
"It’s hard to conceive it. All comes to an end" (From "Nonestop July")
Sunday, 25 July 2010
Wow - Listen to this !!! And watch Madmags... (hehe)
Absolutely amazing sound quality of this fan recording - and such a lovely song!!!
Listen: We're Looking for the Whales (a-ha live Zürich 17.07.2010)
Action on stage... (not at all lunch break...)
hehe - Look at Paul! And Morten! Here are 45 more photos from last night's a-ha concert at Halle: MV
Magne Furuholmen: "... building everything from scratch"
Drawing by Finn GraffA pop artist (part 6 -the last) 1 2 3 4 5 6
(…)
- I chose not to exhibit at the galleries who wanted to exhibit me. Those who wanted my pictures just because I was famous. My point was to get down to a zero point. So, I went the road Norwegian artists do go. I started exhibiting at art clubs around in the country and spent time and energy building everything from scratch.
- The pop star status must have given you some advantages?
- The most real advantage was that I had money to stand for the production of things myself. I could work as a professional artist from the beginning of, he says.
- The critics were sceptical to start with, but soon it seemed to rule an agreement that the artist Magne Furuholmen certainly did have something to deliver. Since the debut he has exhibited in a number of reputable galleries, both here in Norway and abroad. He is purchased or represented at Henie-Onstad, Galleri F15, Biblioteque National de Paris, College of Fine Arts i Shanghai – and so on. On the question whether it is possible to oversee the pop star Magne Furuholmen in this connection, he is doubtful.
- It becomes an illusory situation believing I should have another background than the one I have actually got. At the beginning I was allergic to mixing the cards. Now I, on the contrary, am trying to find ways combining the different expressions.
- Here comes Apparatjik into the picture. Together with, among others, Guy Berryman from Coldplay and Jonas Bjerre from Mew, Furuholmen has formed a group who is working in the borderland between rock, performance and art – yes, more or less the most. It is very far from a-ha in all ways.
- Apparatjik is a system of highly profiled and successful people from the music business who stiff-necked and with huge stubbornness claim to do things apparently being completely commercially suicidal. Yes, we mostly try steering away from what is working, he enthusiastically tells.
- It is not easy to get hold of your album?
- No, you can’t buy it in record shops, but now it is possible to download from itunes. Or from one of those many pirate bases, he says and adds he sent out songs to these himself.
- We did that to sabotage our own starting point. Apparatjik is about exploring the border areas between entertainment, music, fashion and science at one or another level, he says, whilst the tape roll to the son Thomas is approaching neck and face. It is an exploration of relations between celebrity, media’s role and the understanding of yourself.
- To what degree will this take up your time in the future?
(…)
- I chose not to exhibit at the galleries who wanted to exhibit me. Those who wanted my pictures just because I was famous. My point was to get down to a zero point. So, I went the road Norwegian artists do go. I started exhibiting at art clubs around in the country and spent time and energy building everything from scratch.
- The pop star status must have given you some advantages?
- The most real advantage was that I had money to stand for the production of things myself. I could work as a professional artist from the beginning of, he says.
- The critics were sceptical to start with, but soon it seemed to rule an agreement that the artist Magne Furuholmen certainly did have something to deliver. Since the debut he has exhibited in a number of reputable galleries, both here in Norway and abroad. He is purchased or represented at Henie-Onstad, Galleri F15, Biblioteque National de Paris, College of Fine Arts i Shanghai – and so on. On the question whether it is possible to oversee the pop star Magne Furuholmen in this connection, he is doubtful.
- It becomes an illusory situation believing I should have another background than the one I have actually got. At the beginning I was allergic to mixing the cards. Now I, on the contrary, am trying to find ways combining the different expressions.
- Here comes Apparatjik into the picture. Together with, among others, Guy Berryman from Coldplay and Jonas Bjerre from Mew, Furuholmen has formed a group who is working in the borderland between rock, performance and art – yes, more or less the most. It is very far from a-ha in all ways.
- Apparatjik is a system of highly profiled and successful people from the music business who stiff-necked and with huge stubbornness claim to do things apparently being completely commercially suicidal. Yes, we mostly try steering away from what is working, he enthusiastically tells.
- It is not easy to get hold of your album?
- No, you can’t buy it in record shops, but now it is possible to download from itunes. Or from one of those many pirate bases, he says and adds he sent out songs to these himself.
- We did that to sabotage our own starting point. Apparatjik is about exploring the border areas between entertainment, music, fashion and science at one or another level, he says, whilst the tape roll to the son Thomas is approaching neck and face. It is an exploration of relations between celebrity, media’s role and the understanding of yourself.
- To what degree will this take up your time in the future?
- That is impossible to say, he says and grins.
- Now Thomas is ready to close his father’s mouth.
- You seem like a very pleased 47 year old. How important has realization of yourself as an artist been to this process?
- Extreemely important. But pleased is a word I don’t like. It has something full over it.
- Satisfied?
- That is better, but…
- Leaned back?
- No, rather leaned forward? Laid-back and leaned forward. Or tense and leaned back. Throughout life I have been rode by a feeling of being in a hurry. There were loads I didn’t manage to do, but wanted to do. Now, I do have a much cleared relation to if anything really goes wrong, I have made an okay effort, he says.
- And then he nods to Thomas, who fastens a broad tape stripe over this mouth.
- But there are still things you would like to do?
- Hmpf, Furuholmen says and nods.
- Now Thomas is ready to close his father’s mouth.
- You seem like a very pleased 47 year old. How important has realization of yourself as an artist been to this process?
- Extreemely important. But pleased is a word I don’t like. It has something full over it.
- Satisfied?
- That is better, but…
- Leaned back?
- No, rather leaned forward? Laid-back and leaned forward. Or tense and leaned back. Throughout life I have been rode by a feeling of being in a hurry. There were loads I didn’t manage to do, but wanted to do. Now, I do have a much cleared relation to if anything really goes wrong, I have made an okay effort, he says.
- And then he nods to Thomas, who fastens a broad tape stripe over this mouth.
- But there are still things you would like to do?
- Hmpf, Furuholmen says and nods.
Magne Furuholmen: "I got noticeably vainer in my 40ies"
- A mid life crisis is a lot about summarizing, what you have and what you do not have. At one stage you have to challenge own perspectives. I have challenged quite many of them and drew my own conclusions on the way. But, midlife crises… well, I got noticeably vainer in my 40ies. Which probably also was a consequence of getting auricular fibrillation. So, I changed to summer tires and gave gass in other ways. Cut alcohol, cut coffee. Skipped everything unhealthy and became a diet demagogic.
- Anything unhealthy in that too?
- Over time, yes. Now I live a little in that “rotation of crops” at times being very focused and healthy, and in other periods being delightfully unhealthy. By the way, it was actually me back in time making Morten Harket aware of this wheat not being just a blessing. Now, he has almost become a fire-and-brimstone preacher. I do not think he is necessarily wrong, but I have taken a more relaxed attitude to it myself.
- Harket does have a tendency of expressing himself a little, what shall I say, diffuse. Do you always understand what he is saying?
- Morten is a very intelligent person, but people do think it come a lot of odd things from him. And it does. Exactly that is what I find fun with him. I think he gives a damn he is often misunderstood. But that said: Morten has some genuine eccentric features. So, no, I do not always understand what he is saying.
- Thomas! I need you now to rope me in with the tape!
- We are moving down to Furuholmens atelier, a detached building at the bottom of the yard. Right outside the door he carefully moves a vineyard snail from the path way and onto the lane.
- They were put out here by enthusiasts about hundred years ago and are eatable. Besides they do keep the murder snails away.
- Have you eaten many?
- No, I enjoy the sight of them after the rain, not gratinated with garlic, he says.
(To be continued...)
- Over time, yes. Now I live a little in that “rotation of crops” at times being very focused and healthy, and in other periods being delightfully unhealthy. By the way, it was actually me back in time making Morten Harket aware of this wheat not being just a blessing. Now, he has almost become a fire-and-brimstone preacher. I do not think he is necessarily wrong, but I have taken a more relaxed attitude to it myself.
- Harket does have a tendency of expressing himself a little, what shall I say, diffuse. Do you always understand what he is saying?
- Morten is a very intelligent person, but people do think it come a lot of odd things from him. And it does. Exactly that is what I find fun with him. I think he gives a damn he is often misunderstood. But that said: Morten has some genuine eccentric features. So, no, I do not always understand what he is saying.
- Thomas! I need you now to rope me in with the tape!
- We are moving down to Furuholmens atelier, a detached building at the bottom of the yard. Right outside the door he carefully moves a vineyard snail from the path way and onto the lane.
- They were put out here by enthusiasts about hundred years ago and are eatable. Besides they do keep the murder snails away.
- Have you eaten many?
- No, I enjoy the sight of them after the rain, not gratinated with garlic, he says.
(To be continued...)
Magne Furuholmen: "I like to share what I do discover, not myself"
The pop artist (part 4) 1 2 3 4 5 6
(…)
- At times I was too little at home. But hopefully I have compensated for that by being very clear when I am here.
- Are you?
- I do try, but at the same time I am “on call 24/7”
- I do try, but at the same time I am “on call 24/7”
- You are at work all the time?
- Yes. If I for instance am watching a movie, I can suddenly phase out because I saw something that gave birth to an idea. Then I withdraw. I am a little like the house cat, I do come and go, and am fully aware of how privileged I am having this anchor pile. Ever since I bit hold on Heidi as 18 year old, she has given me a kind of security and peace which has liberated creative power. I have never had to worry about the home situation. I have taken part in responsibilities, but could also put aside things to a large degree. Heidi has contributed a lot to what I have done.
- Yes. If I for instance am watching a movie, I can suddenly phase out because I saw something that gave birth to an idea. Then I withdraw. I am a little like the house cat, I do come and go, and am fully aware of how privileged I am having this anchor pile. Ever since I bit hold on Heidi as 18 year old, she has given me a kind of security and peace which has liberated creative power. I have never had to worry about the home situation. I have taken part in responsibilities, but could also put aside things to a large degree. Heidi has contributed a lot to what I have done.
- Kåre Furuholmen, Magnes father, played in Bernt Sølves Orchestra. On the way to a play job it went wrong. The light aircraft fell down, and all on board died. Magne was 6 years old. In several interviews he has told how this childhood trauma affects him. And how he later managed to turn that into something positive.
- I didn’t have to grow up in the shadow of a father being everywhere – like my children has done. I have thought a lot of how that has affected them. But at one stage I realized the goys do have good navigation abilities themselves.
- Do they consider following your footsteps?
- I have advised them not to. I think it is just as valuable doing music and art on hobby basis, I haven’t managed to do that myself. There has been an engine there that I have not managed to ignore. But – if the engine isn’t there, you should choose something else to do.
- Young people today seems to a larger degree think fame is the only correct in life?
- I have advised them not to. I think it is just as valuable doing music and art on hobby basis, I haven’t managed to do that myself. There has been an engine there that I have not managed to ignore. But – if the engine isn’t there, you should choose something else to do.
- Young people today seems to a larger degree think fame is the only correct in life?
- That is not a motive power with my children. Probably becaue they have seen fame on close hold?.
- Have you, yourself, enjoyed being famous?
- Have you, yourself, enjoyed being famous?
- Everyone seeking a spotlight do have a need for self-acknowledgement. But I do not have the need for being in the spotlight without having anything to share. My unsteady way through life has been imprinted by all kinds of “Askeladden” (budding star) mentality. It was first when I found the magpie the need to show it appeared. I like to share what I do discover, not myself.
(This is taken from a huge portrait interview of Magne Furuholmen in Magasinet/Dagbladet 24.07.2010. Translation to be continued...)
No, it's not lunch break... It's "The Living Daylights"!
Incredible reception of "The Living Daylights" at Halle last night (24.07.2010). Watch: a-ha at Youtube
Packed and ready....
- "You see, i am known for talking a lot, and then I got an idea". Today's front page of Magasinet (Dagbladet). Magne roped in Magne Furuholmen tape by his son Thomas...
Saturday, 24 July 2010
Magne having attacks almost every night....
The pop artist (part 3) 1 2 3 4 5 6
- He was out driving when he suddenly felt dizzy. Like he was about to fall asleep, but without being tired. His head fell forwards over the wheel. Dizzy and confused he drove to the side and got to the emergency unit. Diagnose: auricular fibrillation. It is a suffering which does not need to be dangerous, but in worst case it can lead to embolus, stroke, infarct – and death. During the last eleven years Furuholmen has learned to live with it.
- One does not know the cause, but in my case it undoubtedly has to do with too high working tempo for too long time. But ironically I do only get attacks when I am relaxing.
- How does it turn out?
- What happens is one of the heart’s auricles starts vibrating. Fluttering. It is a result of an electronic error in the heart muscle which makes it contract irregularly. When that happens the pulse can get up to absurd 220 beats per minute.
- Does it hurt?
- Yes. Having auricular fibrillation almost feels like having a viper’s nest in the chest.
- How often do you get it?
- Furuholmen shrugs.
- Usually every night. Yes about that. I have got used to it and do mostly sleep okay. However it is exhausting those times I wake up in the night having the feeling I have run a marathon in my sleep.
- For how long do the attacks last?
- Usually 5 to 7 hours. And then I have had some lasting 2 to 3 weeks. Then i have had to be ”shocked”.
- Shocked?
- Yes then the fluttering has to be stopped and started up again with electroshock.
- Like on movies? «Stand back! Clear! Bang!»?
- Exactly. I have donet that 3-4 times. Then I have been sore the next few days. But, thankfully that is long ago.
- Do you need to hold back at concerts?
- No, as said it is when I am relaxing it occurs, never when I am giving gas. However, on this tour, on the two first concerts in South-America, I got it when I went on stage. Then I was so dizzy I almost fell on the ground. I can’t even remember I played the “Take on Me” riff at the end of the concerts, he says but adds in spite of the obvious disadvantages, it does as well have a positive effect.
- I may need something like that to at all take into consideration my consumption of own energy. I look at the disease as a gift wrapped in an ugly paper. Look, he says, and pulls up his shirtsleeve and shows a scar on his underarm.
- It is the same I said when I broke the elbow, wrist and collarbone. I can’t play barré chord properly, but that has still made me into a better guitarist.
- More distinctive, you mean?
- Exactly. Distinctive is good. All the defects and injuries I have suffered have contributed to the one I am today. Therefore I wouldn’t be without any of them.
(to be continued....)
Magne Furuholmen: "Maybe I'll totally freak out when I'm 70?"
Furuholmen laughs. The truth is that the 47- year old from Manglerud has been with his wife Heidi Rydjord since they were teen agers. He has been totally uninterested in drugs of all kinds. And on top of that: he is not even especially fond of rock’n roll.
- "No, those sex, drugs and rock’n roll myths didn’t fit well on our behalf. None of us were typical pop star materials. We weren’t marked party lovers and were careful with alcohol. Paul and Morten were extremely careful. When you are, then you are careful with other things as well. Like drugs".
Then an idea comes to his mind and his face lightens up.
- "Maybe I’ll totally freak out when I'm 70? That could be fun…"
- Serious?
- "No. I have seen close enough friends being forced to face their own misuse, and it is awful to see so much creative power getting lost. No, I believe I have been way to happy working to bother getting fucked up that way", he says.
It has been said the boys have been so busy competing internally they have not had the time to live through the rock myths. Additionally they have all the time had almost inhumanly high expectations to themselves. So, Furuhomen rather falls into being a workaholic?
- "It might be like that. To me it has been a blessing, to my family surely a curse".
Magne Furuholmen "I feel I have given all I had"
Huge portrait interview of Magne Furuholmen in today's Dagbladet.
He is considering his heart problems as a gift and do thank his broken bones for his distinctive character. Magne Furuholmen (47) is no longer grieving about a-ha’s passing.
- Listen. I have a splendid idea for a photo. Would you like some coffee?
(...)
- Would you like to sit here in the garden? Furuholmen asks before he calls out for his son Thomas, a twenty year old guy about to cut the lawn. – "Thomas, i need a little help from you later on. You are going to help me shut my mouth? OK?"
Furuholmen explains.
- "You see, i am known for talking a lot, and then I got an idea. In my atelier, I have got such broad packaging tape with Magne Furuholmen written on, and then I thought you could tape me to a chair, really roping me up. And then tape my mouth shut. You see?
- Listen. I have a splendid idea for a photo. Would you like some coffee?
(...)
- Would you like to sit here in the garden? Furuholmen asks before he calls out for his son Thomas, a twenty year old guy about to cut the lawn. – "Thomas, i need a little help from you later on. You are going to help me shut my mouth? OK?"
Furuholmen explains.
- "You see, i am known for talking a lot, and then I got an idea. In my atelier, I have got such broad packaging tape with Magne Furuholmen written on, and then I thought you could tape me to a chair, really roping me up. And then tape my mouth shut. You see?
- Eh…., I say.
- Eh… says the photographer Jørn.
- "Yes, noting can manage to stop the mouth of Magne Furuholmen apart from Magne Furuholmen. Isn’t that a good idea? Sure you don’t want any coffee?"
(…)
- It is going to be a very long farewell. Are you about to end as the rock's answer to Kjell Bøkkelund?
- "Yes, noting can manage to stop the mouth of Magne Furuholmen apart from Magne Furuholmen. Isn’t that a good idea? Sure you don’t want any coffee?"
(…)
- It is going to be a very long farewell. Are you about to end as the rock's answer to Kjell Bøkkelund?
- Furuholmen smiles and shakes his head.
- "Everything comes to an end. At some or another point the party is over, whether you like it or not. And I really can’t see why we should keep on. Last concert for a-ha is in Oslo Spektrum December 4th. I am used to be taken on my word".
- Is it right you are the initiative-taker to draw the line?
- "Everything comes to an end. At some or another point the party is over, whether you like it or not. And I really can’t see why we should keep on. Last concert for a-ha is in Oslo Spektrum December 4th. I am used to be taken on my word".
- Is it right you are the initiative-taker to draw the line?
- "It is a majority decision. Something which has become more and more necessary."
Two is good, but three is trouble, it says, and there is no secret the trio has struggled all from the beginning. There has probably never been a personal hate towards each other, but the cooperation climate has at times been difficult. Furuholmen talkes about a three-headed ‘troll’ pulling in each their directions.
- "There have been incredibly many good times, but as well incredibly much nonsense.A lot of grand confusion. But we have denied letting the problems control how things have developed. It lasted for 25 years, it could have lasted two. I feel I have given all I had".
Furuholmen straightens his big Prada-sunglasses.
- "When you have built a sandcastle you do have a great joy the moment you decide to stamp on it. It is a releasing effect, and means you can start building a new and different castle the next morning. If you leave it, you will know the tide will take it regardless. Are you then going to stand there and restore sandcastles into the absurd? I think this is healthy for all three of us. And when you seldomly can choose your exit; it is a point in doing it with style".
To be continued.
a-ha code language...
he he. What is this all about? Anyway, a-ha at Emmendingen, Germany, last night. Source: Regiotrends
Another interivew with Paul Waaktaar-Savoy
A long interview with Paul Waaktaar-Savoy by Soundbase. Read about the set-lists and why they use to end all concerts with “Take on Me”. Read about the story behind “Butterfly , Butterfly” and the related video. Read about the most unforgettable moment in his career, which album is the most important to him, and what he will miss when a-ha is gone… The interview is in German. Translate it into your language here: Google Translate.
Paul: "I would have liked to make one more album..."
Morten Harket: "We are stopping the big machinery a-ha, but a-ha will continue existing. Our body and works are gonna stay".
Paul: "We do our own thing"
Long interview with Morten Harket and Paul Waaktaar-Savoy in German media: Badische Zeitung. For translation: Google Translate.
Among other things the newspaper asks whether the guys may have any plans entering into the politics, as this is being mentioned in a press-release from their record company.
Paul answers they should perhaps better go into the media business writing press releases, adding he does not have any such plans.
Morten answers we are all into politics as being members of the society and the world, and therefore do have responsibilities. Adding he does not have any plans entering into active politics. He says he prefers using his voice from another platform.
Sunday, 18 July 2010
Saturday, 17 July 2010
Flashback... What is Morten actually singing?
‘blue sky’...???? In the refrain there, after ‘blue sky’ – what is it? I have always wondered... About time to find out! Do you know?
Listen to Blue Sky
Listen to Blue Sky
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Just to make sure you are all aware of the bonus tracks to the deluxe download versions!?
4 extra bonus tracks available for each album on the download version:
a-ha: Hunting High and Low (deluxe edition)
Sun always shines (extended)
Hunting high and low (slow demo)
Take on me (1984 12 inch)
Take on me (instrumental)
a-ha: Scoundrel Days (deluxe edition)
I’ve been losing you (dub version)
Soft rains of April (piano demo)
Swing of things (demo 1)
I’ve been losing you (Early demo)
a-ha: Hunting High and Low (deluxe edition)
Sun always shines (extended)
Hunting high and low (slow demo)
Take on me (1984 12 inch)
Take on me (instrumental)
a-ha: Scoundrel Days (deluxe edition)
I’ve been losing you (dub version)
Soft rains of April (piano demo)
Swing of things (demo 1)
I’ve been losing you (Early demo)
These exclusive deluxe editions are now available in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, UK, USA. (August 6 – Germany) The bonus download-only tracks on each release are available in most countries. www.rhino.com (USA) will have both Deluxe Editions available digitally this week, complete with bonus tracks, which will be available a la carte.
"Early Morning" off the set-list?
Looks like "Early Morning", from previous set-lists on the a-ha Farewell Tour, now is being replaced by a-ha's new and last single "Butterfly Butterfly"?
Butterfly Butterfly
Foot of the Mountain
Bandstand
Analogue
Forever Not Yours
Minor Earth Major Sky
Summer Moved On
Move To Memphis
The Blood That Moves The Body
Stay On These Roads
The Living Daylights
Scoundrel Days
The Swing of Things
We’re Looking for the Whales
And You Tell Me
Manhattan Skyline
I’ve Been Losing You
Cry Wolf
Hunting High and Low
The Sun Always Shines on TV
Take On Me
Butterfly Butterfly
Foot of the Mountain
Bandstand
Analogue
Forever Not Yours
Minor Earth Major Sky
Summer Moved On
Move To Memphis
The Blood That Moves The Body
Stay On These Roads
The Living Daylights
Scoundrel Days
The Swing of Things
We’re Looking for the Whales
And You Tell Me
Manhattan Skyline
I’ve Been Losing You
Cry Wolf
Hunting High and Low
The Sun Always Shines on TV
Take On Me
Butterfly Butterfly for the first time live...
Awful quality, but whilst awaiting hopefully better uploads - watch this: Youtube
a-ha are back on the road again - performed in Budapest tonight.
Quick update...
a-ha on the road again, back on US Billboard with deluxe editions, and entering VG TOP 20 single chart with Butterfly Butterfly. "25" to be released exclusively at Platekompaniet as MP3 download on July 19. Casiokids won the last a-ha million. Watch their Myspace.
Sunday, 11 July 2010
"80ies pop just don't get any better than this!"
ABC Nyheter about a-ha's deluxe editions of "Hunting High and Low" (5/6) and "Scoundrel Days" (6/6):
"Of the most excellent within commercial popmusic art."
"Almost touching to think about how well-conducted everything are, from instrumentation and vocal to production and arrangements."
"80ies pop just don't get any better than this"
"Of the most excellent within commercial popmusic art."
"Almost touching to think about how well-conducted everything are, from instrumentation and vocal to production and arrangements."
"80ies pop just don't get any better than this"
(Source: ABC Nyheter)
What you knew or didn’t knew about Magne..
Best music album: Several: Becks «Sea Change», Leonard Cohens «Songs of love and hate», «The Bends» with Radiohead.
Best film: Several. Everything by the Cohen-brothers. Fancy movies by Kieslowski and Sydney Pollack. «Repulsion» by Polanski and «Midnight run» with Robert De Niro.
Best book: Several. «End of the affair» by Graham Green, «The road» by Cormac McCarthy, «Possession: A romance» by A.S. Byatt, «Idioten» (The Idiot?) by Dostojevskij.
Beste comic book: Don’t read comic books.
Best tv-series: «Sopranos», «The wire», «South park», «Entourage».
Best theater play: I very much liked a Strindberg-play I saw at the Nationaltheatre not long ago.
Where do you go out in weekends: I never go out in the city.
Best film: Several. Everything by the Cohen-brothers. Fancy movies by Kieslowski and Sydney Pollack. «Repulsion» by Polanski and «Midnight run» with Robert De Niro.
Best book: Several. «End of the affair» by Graham Green, «The road» by Cormac McCarthy, «Possession: A romance» by A.S. Byatt, «Idioten» (The Idiot?) by Dostojevskij.
Beste comic book: Don’t read comic books.
Best tv-series: «Sopranos», «The wire», «South park», «Entourage».
Best theater play: I very much liked a Strindberg-play I saw at the Nationaltheatre not long ago.
Where do you go out in weekends: I never go out in the city.
Weekends are not that different from weekdays. I do work with what I find exciting. I am reading books, watching film and spending time with my sons, 16 and 20 years old, if they bother being with their dad. I am drinking way too much espresso, walking the dog and cooking (my wife probably reacts to the cooking; I do cook less than before).
(Source Adresseavisen - paper edition - 09.07.2010)
6 out of 6 to Scoundrel Days deluxe edition!
Dagbladet has ranked a-ha's deluxe editions of the "Hunting High and low" and "Scoundrel Days" albums to 5/6 and 6/6 respectively.Read the review in full here: Dagbladet
Magne Furuholmen: I may be longing back.. (interview)
Magne was interviewed by Adressa in his hotel suite in Trondheim right after the awarding of Moddi. He was watching a world cup football match between Germany and Spain during the interview. According to the newspaper Magne generously said it was no problem combining football and interview. Smilingly he placed the interviewer so he could follow the match above her shoulder whilst talking. Magne wanted to talk about Moodi, but the interview also included some questions regarding a-ha and Apparatjik. Here are some bits and parts from the interviw:
The journalist wondered how it is like saying farewell for a whole year. Magne answers it is better to say farwell for a whole year, than for ten years like certain bands are doing. Further the journalist asks whether Magne may feel a little like a Rolling Stones greybeard when singing Take on me on the 25. year.
- “No, no. And Stones are 30 years older than us!"
The journalist wonders whether he may suffer from phantom pain when a-ha is quitting for good.
- “I may be longing back to what has been. Still, even when fearing phantom pains, it is still not wrong amputating the foot if that is the only way out."
Magne about Apparatjik
- “Even though the music is not that distant from a-ha, we still cannot compare with a-ha. It is not a particularly commercial concept. We are a kind of a loose collective of creative people working with other people within the art field”.
- “The name kind of refers to doing it a little difficult to ourselves, tearing a little in the format”.
- “The name kind of refers to doing it a little difficult to ourselves, tearing a little in the format”.
- “In all modesty; a-ha is so far the Norwegian band who has done greatest success. We are in champions’ league. Apparatjik is like playing amateur football with elite players".
At the end of the interview Magne tells he did not have the time to visit Sesam burger this time.
At the end of the interview Magne tells he did not have the time to visit Sesam burger this time.
Read the interview in full here: Adressa (tip: use google translate)
Thursday, 8 July 2010
US media thinking a-ha is still living by "Take on Me" money?
Prefix (USA): "(...) it seems the vintage synth-poppers of a-ha still have quite a bit of money to throw around. They've ventured into the vast, labyrinthine castle that holds their "Take on Me" money and come out with four $156,000 grants, to be awarded to Norway's most talented musicians."
Anything to say to this? We are allowed to leave a comment at the bottom of the original article here: Prefix
Songs for the Japanese edition of a-ha's "25" picked by the fans!
A special edition of a-ha's "25" compilation album will be released in Japan. The songs included will actually be picked out by the fans themselves through voting. Fans are given the opportunity to vote for their 3 greatest favourite a-ha songs.
(Source: Warner Music Japan)
. I’m sure you’ll discover a side to the band you never knew existed
Absolutely fantastic reveiw of a-ha in US media!
"This is the sort of news that makes me drop to my knees" (Rhino releasing deluxe editions of a-ha's "Hunting High and Low" and "Scoundrel Days" albums).
"(...) if you’re not familiar with their work outside of “Take On Me,” I highly recommend grabbing these reissues. I’m sure you’ll discover a side to the band you never knew existed."
Please enjoy the full review here: The FrontLoader (USA)
Review by Norwegian newspaper in comparison: Rating as a-ha deserve or to attract readers?
Butterfly halfway withdrawn from the UK…?
a-ha's new and last single "Butterfly, Butterfly (the Last Hurrah)" was released in the UK on Monday. Then available through itunes, Amazon and more. It looks like the download is now only available through Amazon. No-one knows what is going on, whether the song was actually supposed released on Monday or not, and whether or not it is still supposed to be available. The release on July 5th was originally meant for Norway only, followed by other countries later on.
Anyway, the media has already snapped up the news regarding the UK single release: Side-Line
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Norwegian newspapers rating a-ha as they deserve or to attract readers?
Without even telling why, one of the biggest newspapers in Norway did rate the deluxe editions to 4 out of 6 today. There was only praise to read about “Hunting High and Low” and “Scoundrel Days”… I am not going to give the newspaper the pleasure of mentioning their name. Håkon Moslet back in time did at least use argumentation… A message for the Norwegian press: please do praise a-ha as they deserve in this very last chapter of their history. Get out of the old habit! Thank you very much.
- Locust
a-ha fan café
- Locust
a-ha fan café
The a-ha millions: the biggest art prizes in the world?
"A-ha's initiative is believed to be one of the biggest, if not the biggest, arts prizes in the world".
(Source: Spinner)
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