Kings Of
Convenience Chat To SceneOne
There have been some strange sights in Ibiza over the years,
from Manumission's charming line in sex shows to the sight of drunken
Brits sicking up across lush beaches, and none more so than two skinny,
wan Norwegians settling into Ibiza town to play some lo-fi folk.
"You
know, I don't think people expected us to play there" deadpans Kings Of
Convenience's Erland Oye. "I think the people who was there, er, they
liked it but they was just very confused, like 'acoustic chill out
music? Live chill out music? What's that?'"
Having slain northern Europe with their debut album, 'Quiet Is The New
Loud', the next target to take the Kings gentle whimsy and drowsy folk
is obviously going to be, er, Ibiza.
"Obviously
we went to Cream, which was really shit, and then there was Space which
was kind of in the middle and there was a club called Pacha which was
actually quite enjoyable."
"It was good, it was a very nice thing to do, very nice to get to see
the place and to see why people go there and what people go there but…"
The phone goes quiet and there's a sound of faraway fidgeting. "Like,
that is island is like Heaven and Hell. In one place the nature is
beautiful on one side, you know, and then the other is like the worst
of the English clubs - drunken, factory entertainment."
If there's one thing the Norwegian duo doesn't represent, it's drunken
factory entertainment. Their debut album is soon to be followed up with
a remix album that defies the normal formula of taking a gentle track
and beating the bejaysus out of it by being, if anything, even more fey
than the originals. Never mind the Balearics, here are the Royksopps!
"Basically we like a lot of electronic music and, for some reason, we
are liked by a lot of people who make electronic music," explains
Erland. "We started to do this in a week in the summertime and already
had some remixes at that point so we could only ask about five people
to do something. All I could think about was Ladytron so maybe next
time around we'll get someone else."
The fact is, 'Versus' calls on a veritable Who's Who of the current
illuminati of the acoustic scene but the band have also opted to big up
some of their own countrymen. Four Tet, Ladytron, Alfie and Andy Votel
all contribute tracks that rub shoulders with mixes by Royksopp, Erot
and Evil Tordivel.
"I really like the Evil Tordivel remake, it's maybe the most surprising
one. He's a friend of ours from Bergen and this is one of the best
things he's ever done, which is great. I really think this is one of
the best times for Norway because finally people have realised we can't
try and sound like bands from England and America. There's no point!
We've got to try and focus on what we have that's different from the
everywhere else in the world, on what can only come from Norway."
High horse mounted the phone crackles with the fruit of Norwegian
musical renaissance that have little to do with Leona Naess or Aha.
"Leona Naess, yeah she lives in America but I guess there is something
Norwegian in her music but there are lots of good underground acts that
have not come out yet or haven't really been fully distributed or
released in England. I think one of the things I'm happy about with
this album is that it gives a chance to get some of our friends around
the world and some good musicians and music people known in other parts
of the world. We are part of the Virgin network and our last album was
released in like twenty countries and is still being released in new
ones so I think many of these bands are going to come to people who
have never heard of them. I think we've been at least successful enough
for people to think of Norway and not necessarily thinking of Aha."
As quickly as they'd arrived, the clouds dissipate leaving us with the
odd suggestion of collaboration with Norway's biggest pop export
heralded by some sniggering down the line. "We could get the same guy
to make the exact video, just with us in, and i'd love to have Aha do a
remix and have Morton Harket do a little extra harmony," to wit, we are
treated to a lengthy 'Cry Wolf'-stylee wailing.
The
visibly brightening Erland suddenly recalls something else he wants
from fame that's more Tom Jones than Pal Waaktaar, a stage draped in
underwear.
"We
only want the beautiful girls to do that, actually, if anyone throws
their pants on stage I think it'll make my day!"
Just think ladies, chuck your pants at the Kings and you stand a good
chance of observing some mythical Norwegian Wood.
* 'Versus' is released October 22
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