Sondre Lerche - The “new Bacharach” from the fjords

Long dubbed the “new Bacharach“, Norwegian songwriter Sondre Lerche has won widespread acclaim from both audiences and critics in recent years. Despite his young age (he's just 29), he already has a decade-long career behind him, and the feeling is that his best is still yet to come. Ahead of his upcoming return to Italy (October 1st in Rome, October 2nd in Milan) to present his brand-new self-titled album, we put a few questions to him.

Dear Sondre, it's been ten years since “Faces Down”, the album you debuted with. Ten years in which your life has changed completely. You left your hometown, Bergen, to explore the world. Do you feel the need to take stock of this first chapter of your life? Would you ever have believed you'd achieve worldwide popularity before even turning thirty?

I never believed that one day I'd be able to make a living from my music. All I ever wanted to do was write my own songs, and I did that without thinking about what might come of it. But I'm truly grateful to be able to do it freely and to have an audience to communicate with. Other than that, I don't think much about the past.

Ten years is also how much time has passed since the tragedy of September 11th. A disaster that seems so far removed from your music and your lyrics, which explore above all the deep intimacy of a person - your own. Have you ever thought about tackling political or social themes in your songs? What are your feelings and thoughts on these subjects?

I've written songs that deal with subjects beyond my own small world, but I have to admit it's really hard to address such complex themes in music. They completely change the motivations behind writing a song, or maybe they're simply better suited to songwriters who are smarter and more politically engaged than I am. Personally, I react to the world around me like anyone else does - maybe over time these reactions of mine will find their way into my music more.

Your latest album is self-titled and features a close-up of your face on the cover. Why this choice, and how does it connect to your previous work?

I had a lot of trouble finding a fitting title for the album. There was nothing I felt could properly connect with every part of it, so I just left it as it was. People call this “self-titled“, but as far as I'm concerned, I've simply left it open. I'll fill that gap once I've thought of the right thing.

Your album came out on your own label, Mona Records, which shares its name with your wife (Norwegian model and actress Mona Fastvold, ed.). What was it like working with her (she directed the video for “Go Right Ahead”, ed.), and what kind of influence does she have on your work in general?

We collaborate on a great many projects, so it was nothing out of the ordinary - everything came about very naturally. She's extremely talented, and working with her has been a pleasure. She influences my work in countless ways - it's hard to explain without my face turning red!

Your first years were with Virgin Norway, then a spell with Astralwerks, and the last few years split between Rounder and Mona. Four record labels in ten years. Coincidence, or something else?

I think it mostly reflects the turbulent times record labels have been going through. I made four albums with Virgin Norway, which was folded into Astralwerks in America, then one album with Rounder, and now this one with my own label, Mona Records - so really there are three labels in question. I was lucky enough, early in my career, to work with great people within the Virgin/EMI system, but then everything changed and I went looking for new paths.

How do your songs come about? Has your process stayed the same since you started, or has it changed over the years?

It's basically been the same forever, even though what comes out is always different. I pick up the guitar, turn on the recorder, grab pen and paper, and get to work.

It's hard to define your music as anything other than "pop". Do you identify with those "three letters", or do you feel they're limiting for you?

I'm happy to call my music "pop". I agree with you that it's hard to define it any other way. But I've noticed that this label means very different things to very different people, so it's easy to confuse people with it. Then again, I'm used to that too.

You composed the soundtrack for the film “L’amore secondo Dan”. That was your first and, so far, only experience working in film music. Did you enjoy it? Would you consider doing more?

I really had a great time. It was nice to work as part of a team with other people who are so skilled at their specific job of scoring films. I wrote a song for the film “La cena dei cretini” last year, but I'd love to do more film scoring work. It's a huge contrast to the "narcissism" of writing songs for yourself.

Some people have compared your name to "stars" like Burt Bacharach or Elvis Costello. Do you feel the weight of such big comparisons?

Honestly, not that much. People usually bring up big names to help pin down an artist's style and explain it to others. That doesn't usually mean the work in question is as brilliant as the originals!

The Norwegian music scene, along with the Swedish and Icelandic ones, seems to be going through a kind of "golden age", where the work of so many artists manages to cross national borders and make an impact around the world. Why do you think that is?

I have no idea, other than the fact that some really great music has come out of Norway, Sweden, and other Nordic countries in recent years. I think that's why people are getting so into it.

What kind of music have you been listening to lately? Any artists in particular? And among your own songs, which one is your favourite?

Lately I've been listening a lot to Jorge Ben (the Brazilian musician known for his original blend of samba, jazz and funk, ed.) and Riz Ortolani (the composer from Pesaro who scored films such as “Il sorpasso”, ed.). Among my own songs, it's hard to pick just one. The new songs give me a great feeling when I play them, but I also really love “Two Way Monologue“.

You're a very prolific songwriter, as shown by the many albums you've released over the years. Have you already written anything new? Do you have any other projects besides the world tour you're currently on? And speaking of that, do you enjoy life "on the road"?

Actually, I've written very little this year. I've been feeling strange lately. I'm constantly working on different projects, but until they're ready to be shared there's not much I can say about them. As for the tour, I can say I love living "on the road". I love connecting with the audience. I'm super excited for the tour in Italy and Europe with my amazing band, it's been way too long since the last time.

One last curiosity: where does the name Sondre come from? It's not exactly common...

It's a traditional Norwegian name that's recently come back into fashion among children.

Maybe partly thanks to him, one might add!

(25/09/2011)

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