Viking Magazine - March 2017 - 19

Since fi nishing in fi fth place on Norway's reality
show " Idol " in 2013, indie-pop artist Astrid Smeplass
has been making waves on international music charts.
// Website:
astridsofficial.com
// Instagram:
@Astridofficial
// Stream music:
Spotify, iTunes
Her fi rst single, " 2AM " reached platinum status in Norway,
and has nearly 10 million streams worldwide on music
service Spotify. Nylon magazine called her " Norway's next
great pop export, " and she was named a Spotify Nordic
Spotlight Artist for 2016.
In addition to creating her own music, Astrid has
collaborated with Norwegian DJ Matoma to produce the hit
single " Running Out, " and has contributed to his Spotify
playlist " Hakuna Matoma. " Her fi rst self-titled EP (Extended
Play) album debuted in May 2016. She had a busy year
touring with other artists and playing her fi rst sold out
headline show in the United Kingdom. This summer, Astrid
will perform at music festivals in Sweden and Norway.
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Julia Bache-Wiig caught the acting bug
as a child growing up in the small village
of Eivindvik in western Norway. She
participated in community theater, in an
annual outdoor Viking play and loved
watching drama television shows. She
attended the Nordic Institute of Scene
and Studio in Oslo. Today, Bache-Wiig is
best known for fi lms " Max Manus: Man of
War, " " Two Lives, " and her role as Thyra
on the BBC Viking series " The Last
Kingdom. "
Q: What was your fi rst
major acting role?
A: I played Frida in
NRK's television drama
" Størst av alt. " It's a
series about a family's
complex struggle to fi nd
the truth as a murder takes
place within the family.
Frida is the teenage
daughter.
Q: What was it like working on
" Max Manus: Man of War " ?
A: I loved it. It's an important movie
because it tells a part of our Norwegian
history. I was able to work with two
amazing directors (Joachim Rønning and
Espen Sandberg) and the wonderful Aksel
Hennie. I really liked playing nurse Liv, one
of Max Manus' important secret helpers.
Q: How do you prepare for the
characters you portray?
A: I always do research on the
character's life. I love how
my job often gives me
knowledge that I would
never seek if it wasn't for
the role. It makes me
a little bit wiser. I work
out, too, because our
job has a big physical
aspect to it. With highspeed
and demanding
scenes, working out is
helpful on every level.
Q: Do you think your Scandinavian
heritage has infl uenced your perspective
toward acting?
A: My approach is to always stay truthful.
It's never about looks or fame for me. Our
Nordic Noir tradition has also inspired me.
Q: Who are some actors you admire?
A: Meryl Streep, Andrea Riseborough and
so many others! And Liv Ullmann, who I've
been so fortunate to work with in " Two
Lives. " I am constantly inspired by great
colleagues.
Q: What projects are you currently
working on, and what are your
future goals?
A: We wrapped shooting season 2 of " The
Last Kingdom " in November. I play the role
of Thyra, and is available on Netfl ix. It has
been such an adventure to be part of. In
a way, I am going back to where my love
for acting started, with our outdoor Viking
theatre in the 1990s. My future goals are to
keep working and challenging myself.
I feel fortunate to work internationally.
I hope to still do that in addition to
Scandinavian projects.
sonsofnorway.com VIKING MARCH 2017 19
PHOTO BY (TOP TO BOTTOM): GUS STEWART, L LERHAUG

http://www.astridsofficial.com http://www.sonsofnorway.com

Viking Magazine - March 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Viking Magazine - March 2017