Behind the Groove with The Locomotive

There’s something about interviewing artists that brings you and I closer to the heartbeat of the music itself. Each conversation opens a door not just into their process but into the emotions and life experiences that shape their sound. Talking to Amund Sæter from The Locomotive, I got a glimpse of how soul music has woven its way into his Norwegian roots, and why he feels compelled to bring that raw, Southern soul energy to his recordings. With the announcement of his new collaboration with US artists and musicians Charlie Chalmers and Tricia Boutté I delved deeper into the groove!

ANDY: Hi Amund! How did you choose to work with artists like Charlie Chalmers and Tricia Boutté? Were you aiming for something uniquely soulful?

AMUND: Definitely. I wanted authentic voices, and Tricia was an obvious choice. She’s from New Orleans and has lived here for 20 years, so she brings that genuine soul sound. Charlie has a unique sound too, and each of them adds their flavour to the album. I wanted to capture real soul, voices that have experienced life and express it in their tone, similar to the depth and grit you hear in the classics.

ANDY: Did you grow up with these soul greats, or was soul music something you came to later?

AMUND: I was always around music but not necessarily soul—it was more pop and gospel in my household. Soul, especially that raw, Southern sound, was something I discovered over time. In Norway, we didn’t have the same exposure to it. But I got into it through hip-hop and sampling records. When I heard the emotional intensity in voices like Etta James or Al Green, it resonated deeply. That Southern soul, like the stuff recorded in Muscle Shoals and Memphis, was different from Motown—it was more direct, almost confrontational in its honesty.

ANDY: How did the local music scene in Norway shape your style?

AMUND: Soul wasn’t big here when I was growing up. But Oslo had this brief, amazing moment in the late ’60s where a few iconic American soul acts played live here, such as Stax/Volt tour of Europe in 1967 with Otis Redding, Sam & Dave etc. and the impact was unforgettable. People had never seen or heard that level of raw energy and emotion in music before. I think that made a lasting impression on the Norwegian music scene, even if soul itself didn’t stay prominent here.

ANDY: So you started with hip-hop. How did that transition to soul happen?

AMUND: Hip-hop was my first musical home. We formed a band and released some records, and that’s where I began exploring samples. Through digging for samples, I discovered a lot of unknown soul records that were pure gold. Soul and hip-hop are both rooted in authenticity and storytelling, and I think that’s what drew me in. Hip-hop made it possible to find and celebrate those soul sounds, even if they were from the past or hidden.

ANDY: Soul still feels niche here in Scandinavia, like a hidden gem. How does that affect your approach?

AMUND: Soul feels almost rebellious here—it’s not mainstream, and I think that adds to its appeal. For me, it’s about honouring that realness and emotional intensity. Having Charlie Chalmers on this record was a dream come true. He’s a legend in soul music, with his arrangements for people like Aretha Franklin and Al Green. He has this signature sound in his horn arrangements that’s both powerful and distinct, and it’s something I’ve admired and learned from.

ANDY: What’s it like releasing a soul album from Norway? Do you feel the US will welcome it?

AMUND: I hope so. I’ve been in touch with some US soul fans and musicians, and they’re genuinely interested in soul coming from Scandinavia. Soul music has its roots in American history, so I’m not trying to mimic it, but rather celebrate it. The Norwegian scene may not be as soul-centred, but there’s a lot of respect for authenticity. In fact, I find more soul connections with fans and musicians in the UK and US than in Norway.

ANDY: What would feel like success for this album?

AMUND: Success would be reaching people who connect deeply with the music, even if it’s a niche audience. We’re releasing this independently, so our focus is getting the album out there on vinyl and digital platforms. We’re not planning a live tour because everyone involved is spread across the country. For now, I’d be thrilled if it connects with people who value that raw, Southern soul sound, whether they’re in Norway or beyond.

ANDY: When can we expect to hear it?

AMUND: We’re aiming for a December release, just before Christmas. It’ll be out on our label, and we’ll see if any larger labels take interest afterward. But this project is truly about making soulful music and connecting with those who appreciate it.

So get your tickets and join their soul train below! Make It Up is out now, taken from the upcoming album ‘HARMONIC RAILWAYS‘.