We featured Center Of The Universe recently in our roundup of current Norwegian music. We caught up with Jørgen to find out a little more about his music and influences.
What was the first tune you loved and why?
The pause-music of the Norwegian broadcasting company NRK back in the 1980’s. Later I’ve learned that there were two of them, the one I heard was made by the composer Eivind Groven in 1939. The other one is also nice and is composed by Arne Nordheim. I really liked how it sounded, some synthesized xylophone or something, It can be heard here.
What is your favorite song/piece of music that you’ve written and why do you think this?
My favorites is always the newest and unreleased songs, so now it’s the three songs that’s on my new EP called “Extended Play” (released 15/2/2016 and featured as our tune of the day also!).
What song by another artist do you wish you had written and why?
Music For 18 Musicians by Steve Reich. This because of the wonderful structures and beautiful harmonies. Would also say also any song by the Egyptian crooner Abdel Halim Hafez, really like all of them.
What artist(s) has been your biggest influence and in what way?
It’s hard for me to pick out only one artist here, it’s the continuum of all music and the enormous diversity of it that influences me.
Name a song that makes you smile.
Last Christmas variations by Richard Thomas. He is playing back “Last Chrismas” from a toy keyboard while hacking/circuitbending it in real time. Pretty hilarious!
What is the best new band that you’ve heard recently?
There are many but I will single out the Finnish/Azeri duo Ya Tosiba! Marvellous combination of electronica/Skweee with lyrics in Azeri. Really great and really fresh!
What’s your favourite radio station?
There is this great show with electronic and experimental music hosted by the Londoner Graham Dunning called “fractal meat on a spongy bone” Very inspiring music and he also has guests playing live improvised music.
What question would you like to be asked that you never are?
I feel like I am an easy target for all kids of weird questions. People ask me about more or less everything all of the time, especially about music. So I guess reality is more interesting than my imagination concerning this!
Check out Center Of The Universe on soundcloud
Thanks Jørgen, best of luck in 2016!
YouTube
Spotify
[sg_popup id=0]
super world indie tunes 