ADVERTISE
CONTACT US
SUBMISSIONS
  • News
    Dina Ögon

    Dina Ögon impress with a stunning dose of Swedish soul / Mormor

    Woman in shadow

    Jean Root covers a classic with class / Aint Nobody

    Marie Dahlstrom and Delleile Ankrah

    [WATCH] Marie Dahlstrom floats in new duet / Clouds

    Imla with guitar

    [WATCH] Imla shares her Christmas memories / Sweetheart

    45 single

    Paul Mac Innes – Falling by the Wayside arrives on 45

    Miri Tesfazion

    Miri Tesfazion introduces her alternative dark R&B / Pressure

    Tilda Allie

    Genre-bending Tilda Allie electrifies / Say No

    Saie Saie

    Saie Saie revives a disco ballad / Rock You Baby

  • Reviews
    • All
    • Album Review
    • Live Review
    • Single / EP Reviews
    Elna Romberg christmas

    Christmas – Elna Romberg 

    Try Again Tomorrow – Jean Root

    Try Again Tomorrow – Jean Root

    Lost EP - AME ARDAI

    Lost EP – AME ARDAI

    Dtroit Heavy LP album cover

    Heavy – D/troit

  • Features
    • All
    • Interviews
    • Scandinavian Soul Sessions
    • Soul Talk
    Black & white soul singer

    Soul music – the sound of societal change

    Johan Nilsson

    [INTERVIEW] Behind the groove with Band of Pockets

    Aureola

    I wanted it to sound like the feeling of running your hand over silk – Aureola

    Naomi Vaughn

    ‘We just broke out laughing and kept laughing’ – Interview with Naomi Vaughn

    Fredrik Hjulmand

    Behind the groove with FHIO and his debut single – I Never Knew

  • Events
    • Scandinavian Soul Music Awards
    • Scandinavian Soul Festival 2013
  • Artists / Bands
  • Videos
    • Playlists
  • Shop
    • SOUL SHOP
      • STYLE
      • MERCHANDISE
      • VINYL
      • BOOKS
      • SALE
No Result
View All Result
0

No products in the basket.

  • News
    Dina Ögon

    Dina Ögon impress with a stunning dose of Swedish soul / Mormor

    Woman in shadow

    Jean Root covers a classic with class / Aint Nobody

    Marie Dahlstrom and Delleile Ankrah

    [WATCH] Marie Dahlstrom floats in new duet / Clouds

    Imla with guitar

    [WATCH] Imla shares her Christmas memories / Sweetheart

    45 single

    Paul Mac Innes – Falling by the Wayside arrives on 45

    Miri Tesfazion

    Miri Tesfazion introduces her alternative dark R&B / Pressure

    Tilda Allie

    Genre-bending Tilda Allie electrifies / Say No

    Saie Saie

    Saie Saie revives a disco ballad / Rock You Baby

  • Reviews
    • All
    • Album Review
    • Live Review
    • Single / EP Reviews
    Elna Romberg christmas

    Christmas – Elna Romberg 

    Try Again Tomorrow – Jean Root

    Try Again Tomorrow – Jean Root

    Lost EP - AME ARDAI

    Lost EP – AME ARDAI

    Dtroit Heavy LP album cover

    Heavy – D/troit

  • Features
    • All
    • Interviews
    • Scandinavian Soul Sessions
    • Soul Talk
    Black & white soul singer

    Soul music – the sound of societal change

    Johan Nilsson

    [INTERVIEW] Behind the groove with Band of Pockets

    Aureola

    I wanted it to sound like the feeling of running your hand over silk – Aureola

    Naomi Vaughn

    ‘We just broke out laughing and kept laughing’ – Interview with Naomi Vaughn

    Fredrik Hjulmand

    Behind the groove with FHIO and his debut single – I Never Knew

  • Events
    • Scandinavian Soul Music Awards
    • Scandinavian Soul Festival 2013
  • Artists / Bands
  • Videos
    • Playlists
  • Shop
    • SOUL SHOP
      • STYLE
      • MERCHANDISE
      • VINYL
      • BOOKS
      • SALE
No Result
View All Result
0

No products in the basket.

No Result
View All Result

Fieh impress with single / 25

Shaqdi releases official video / Colorless

Backstage with Bernhoft

LONG READ.

Andy Collins by Andy Collins
23/02/2018
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Pinterest

The last time I saw Jarle Bernhoft, he was leaving a bar in Stockholm at 3 am.

He grabbed his jacket, tucked in his cravat and headed into the cold night air. The applause of the crowd after his performance at the Scandinavian Soul Music Awards earlier in the evening still rang in my ears.

I mention this as now I follow the Norwegian singer down the stairs to the backstage area at the venue Nalen as we prepare to reminisce the past and talk about the future. Meeting artists is part of my job. However, with Bernhoft it never feels like work. It feels like sitting with a charming friend, who welcomes you in and invites you to his table. In fact, he offers me a drink as I enter. Courteous as always.

A recent father of a second child, the singer is relaxed despite the scheduled soundcheck running late and sports his ‘once-trademark’ dark-rimmed glasses. His busy private life hasn’t constricted his creative desire and has even raised his bar to a higher level. He sits opposite me in light coloured jeans and a comfy sweatshirt. His overnight travel case rests open beside him next to an elegantly curved acoustic guitar.

The shaggy-haired singer says he’s aged – ‘I’ve turned 40’, but you couldn’t tell. His youthful attitude to life pays dividends.

I begin by asking about the ‘new’ Bernhoft and the Fashion Bruises.

Yeah, I turned 40 around Brexit, June 2016. I started thinking ‘playing pop music at this age, and I needed to grow up and get a proper job’. Then Brexit happened. I thought what the fuck? Did they do this? The whole Brexit thing was a tumultuous time. Parallel to this, I had a great guitarist in the band who couldn’t take part in the European dates. I’ve played the guitar, but I’ve used it almost as a tool to get the songs across, so I had to get down and practise.

Then I found every worry about where do I find my place in the music scene which is overly EDM (electronic dance music)? Streaming is taking over. The album is going down the drain. So many pillars of music that I relate to seem to be fading away.

I sat down and began to play…and all my worries began to evaporate.

It sounds very yen and wishy-washy, but I found my happy place. This instrument is where I found my self-esteem. I found myself a happier man after a couple of hours in my studio.

Playing more guitar also changed the shift, and the songs seemed to come out guitar-friendly. And when you play more guitar you tend to turn things up, so it’s turned into a more Rock & Roll type thing. The volume is definitely up. It’s a decibel onslaught, but it’s a great band, and they all can sing like motherfuckers so people tend to leave happy.

I can tell he’s happy too from his whole demeanour. Being within a group seems to have freed another part of him, and the joy of camaraderie has heightened his musical prowess.

An intense festival tour gave them the opportunity to try out new songs to the public, and the experience pushed them into new territory. ‘It was like an organized jam session’. He explains his latest single – Buried Gold featuring Raelee Nikole is still wonderfully soulful and most connected to his previous work.

The album is due end of August, but then again.. I used to know how to release albums, I don’t anymore. It’s a different game. The whole album as a format, at least in Scandinavia, has disappeared. I’ll make it still because the album is part of my identity as a musician. I’ve made a couple of EP’s, and it felt good, but having something to write about in a bigger format with an arc which goes through all the songs like a red thread that’s what I grew up with. That’s how I define myself as an artist. I’m an album artist. The album is still valid in the States and Germany and other markets, but in Norway; it’s just songs, singles – back to the fifties! I guess the album will come back in some form.

The singer’s recent promotional posters and videos show the singer without his dark-rimmed glasses, and I ask him if this was a  conscious decision to present a different Bernhoft.

I grew my hair as well. To a certain extent, I can get attention just by taking the glasses off. But I can move about more without them. The glasses fall off, and I can’t see shit. And they get in the way of the guitar pedals, so I started wearing lenses instead.

He’s performing in Sweden tonight, a short trip from Norway and, having lived in the States it must feel good to be home again.

It feels nice to be home in many ways not necessarily in music. Its because I think Norway is in the driving seat musically but it’s very EDM, then when you come to America, and you realise that’s not the case. I’ve kind of found my place eventually. I had to struggle a bit. Still, I like living in Norway more as a dad. As a human being who likes healthcare and social democracy. I truly believe we have a huge advantage over America as a society.

So you won’t take up President Trump’s offer of more Norwegians moving to the US?

There’s a perfectly good reason why we stay in fucking Norway.

We both laughed.

I’m still going to go; I have tons of friends there. There are lots of really stupid people there, but then they’re also a lot of really smart people too.

You’re an active social media user. Do you find, being famous, you have to be conscious of comments you make?

Just after the election, I made some comments on Facebook and Twitter. I was using the fine art of sarcasm, which doesn’t translate into American ‘anyness’. I experienced a real drop in followers and people thought I was a white supremacist or whatever!

I got so much flack for it. Hello? Have you heard of sarcasm? If you’d paid attention to stuff that I did before then, you would have known that there was no way that I could have been a right-wing extremist. But it was too early. I was joking about it because there’s no other way to deal with it I feel. I could sense horror all over America with people who did not see this coming and saw the imminent end of the world.

I feel there is a certain need to be careful, but if you’re not careful, then the worst thing that happens is that the really thick people unfollow you, and as a sense, the herd gets stronger. So I don’t mind really. I had this perspective from Eddie Izzard when he was asked how he felt about touring America as a transvestite comedian he said ‘It’s great. All the stupid ones stay at home.’

There’s a certain sense that I don’t want to be preaching to the choir either and I am trying to engage with people who don’t necessarily agree with me, but there is a certain limit to my patience with stupidity.

There are many times that I wanted to post something and I ask myself is it necessary though? Do I need to tell one hundred thousand people what I think about this or am I content with just speaking to the ones around me? And 90% of the time that’s what I do. It’s fine for me just to let opinions be my opinions and not have to get them out there all the time.

My last EP was the most political that I’ve ever written and it was good to get that done because there was so much stuff that I had to deal with in some way or another. Living in America as a Norwegian and seeing stuff that I was protected from. It was good to get that out. It was almost like I could breathe and speak about other things.

And the way social media polarises people. I might feel insulated from being polarized, but I can’t really be sure. It’s good to talk to people face-to-face because we all can get carried away in front of a keyboard.

How to find yourself and stay human in a technology world? That’s in a sense the project for the whole album. It’s trying to find the humanity in music as well because the music environment is very much mechanised. You can listen to a song that sounds like a synthesiser that sounds like a drum machine, and even the vocals sound like they come from a machine. There’s no humanity left. That’s what I’m trying to do – we are humans here!

We also shouldn’t be afraid of stuff. We should use it. I like the fact that alcoholic exists. I don’t need to get high every day because it’s there, but it’s good for us to get drunk together, relax and have fun.

nalen bernhoft
The Norwegian boss!

CONCERT REVIEW

NALEN – FEB 17 2018

Tipping his hat to Bruce Springsteen with cut off sleeves and a guitar swinging from his waist, Bernhoft proceeded to deliver a driven, brilliant and captivating performance.

Funny and entertaining, his quick wit and humour between songs bonded a seamless and faultless show. The screen projection visually enhanced the stage instead of distracting.

Although less soulful than previous gigs there was still ample moments as essences of Prince and D’Angelo weaved through his set. Swedish singer Joanné Nugas (see photo) added extra spice when she joined Bernhoft onstage for the track Buried Gold. He certainly felt at home with the guitar as his solo playing demonstrated. His encore version of Jealous Guy has to be seen and heard.

There are very few performers today who can truly offer the full package. Many artists may also be skilled in instruments, songwriting and singing. However, the final element lies in the ability to take that from the studio and deliver an engaging and personal experience. Bernhoft exceeded in all departments. Tonight he proved he didn’t need the clever loops and layered solo vocal performances that had previously left many open-mouthed – as the same audience left in awe again after seeing him together with a full band.

All the greats haven’t left the building after all.

5star rating

 

Tags: BERNHOFTBrexitinterviewlive reviewNalenNorwegian
Fieh live Fieh live Fieh live
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

Tilla
Latest News

Tilla serves majestic lo-fi vibes / Expensive Metals

by Andy Collins
21/10/2022
Vero Nero
Latest News

Vero Noah’s uplifting soulful pop single thrills

by Andy Collins
20/10/2022
Johan Nilsson
Features

[INTERVIEW] Behind the groove with Band of Pockets

by Andy Collins
24/08/2022
Aureola
Features

I wanted it to sound like the feeling of running your hand over silk – Aureola

by Hannah Mannheimer
29/06/2022
Load More

Discover more

Dina Ögon
Latest News

Dina Ögon impress with a stunning dose of Swedish soul / Mormor

29/01/2023
Woman in shadow
Latest News

Jean Root covers a classic with class / Aint Nobody

26/01/2023
Marie Dahlstrom and Delleile Ankrah
Latest News

[WATCH] Marie Dahlstrom floats in new duet / Clouds

25/01/2023
Prev Next

Archives

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

  • If you found the image arresting just wait till you hear the track! @tildaallie dropped her single - Say No last month and it’s contemporary blend of soul and hip hop is just as captivating as the image! Expect the unexpected here! Love it! ♥️
Follow @tildaallie and discover this UK based Swedish artist/producer 
*Edited and reposted*
#scandinaviansoul #tildaallie #newmusic #contemporary #swedishmusic #soulful
  • This new cover version by @saiesaiesoul took us in her arms and rocked us like a baby! ❤️🔥🔥🔥🔥
Her live recorded version adds a new dimension and energy to this classic and we love it!! ❤️❤️
Follow @saiesaiesoul 
#scandinaviansoul #soul #swedish #saiesaie #video #newmusic #disco #rockyoubaby
  • New music and fresh vibes are delivered by @bby.beige and her new single / över dig under dig. Prepare for the unexpected on this soulful single and we’re hoping there’s a video to this soon! 
Follow @bby.beige 
We’ve got a good feeling about where she’s headed. And that’s up! 🔥🔥

Little extra details…

  • Our services
  • My account
  • Customer Service
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

Behind the scenes

  • ABOUT US
  • EVERYTHING SCANDINAVIAN SOUL IS AND ISN’T
  • JOIN OUR TEAM

stripe

© 2012-2022 scandinaviansoul.com. Design by 68-design.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
    • Single / EP Reviews
    • Album Review
    • Live Review
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • Soul Talk
  • Events
    • Scandinavian Soul Festival 2013
  • Videos
  • Playlists
  • Artists / Bands
  • SOUL SHOP
  • Cart
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • About us
Close