Viking Magazine - January 2016 - 46

Q&A
Music Man
M
usician Odd
Nordstoga grew up
in Vinje, Norway,
a mountainous area in
Telemark that has a strong
folk-music culture. The son of
two culturally active people,
Nordstoga debuted as a
recording artist in 1997 with the
band called Something Odd. In
2004, he quickly became one of
Norway's best-selling musicians
when his solo, album, " Luring, "
released with a collection of
folk-pop songs. In October,
Nordstoga dropped his latest
album, " Dette landet, " ( " This
Land " ) and plans to perform at
several festivals in Norway
this year.
Q You trained to be a music
teacher before releasing your
fi rst album. Did you always
want to be a recording artist?
A That was a dream I had. I
used the money from a job I
had while studying teaching to
help fi nance my fi rst record. I
was educated as a music teacher,
but in the bottom of my heart
my main goal was to become a
freelance musician or an artist.
Q What inspires your music?
A I've always wanted to use my
cultural background. Norwegian
folk music is a deeply important
part of my musical language.
I've always been very fond of
Odd Nordstoga's Norwegian heritage inspires his award-winning
folk music. BY STEPHANIE AWE
the folk music that comes from
America. Bob Dylan started his
singing and songwriting from
the American folk-music history.
I wanted to combine the singersongwriting
tradition, and to
keep my own musical history
and cultural identity up on the
surface. That was my tool to
get my own musical language.
Music is one of the most
universal human languages. My
role as a musician is to entertain
and provide comfort.
Q How would you describe
your new album " Dette
landet? "
A It's not as folk-inspired as
some of my former albums. It's
about Norway and our values.
I hope the album shows some
important values that we can try
to raise a fl ag for in the future.
Q You've won many awards,
including a Spelleman Award
for Artist of the Year. What
has that meant to you?
A When you're the artist of the
year, it means you're among
some great artists. Of course,
you are very grateful and
thankful that an honor like that
is coming your way. I have a lot
of respect for the audience, and
I'm so thankful that people listen
to my music.
Q What do you like to do in
your free time?
A I have three children and a
lot of my spare time is spent
with them. I live in Oslo, but
I'm really fond of Norway's
countryside. We often go there
to visit my parents or my wife's
parents. I also love cross-country
skiing. I think it's good for me be
outside and in nature. We have
a summerhouse in a beautiful
part of Norway and spend lot of
time there fi shing, kayaking and
swimming.
Q What has been one of
your favorite career moments
so far?
A One of my favorite moments
was doing a record and tour
with Sissel Kyrkjebø. She has
the most beautiful voice that
Norway has ever heard. We did
a record together, and it was a
great success.
Learn more about Odd Nordstoga at oddnordstoga.no and read
more from the interview on January 15 at sonsofnorway.com/blog.
46 VIKING JANUARY 2016 sonsofnorway.com
Name:
Odd Nordstoga
Origin:
Vinje, Norway
Current city: Oslo
New album:
" Dette landet "
PHOTO BY STIAN ANDERSEN
http://www.oddnordstoga.no http://www.sonsofnorway.com/blog http://www.sonsofnorway.com
Viking Magazine - January 2016

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