INTERVIEW: Siv Jakobsen — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

PHOTO CREDIT: Jørgen Nordby

Siv Jakobsen

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HER debut album…

The Nordic Mellow was released last year and picked up award nominations and success. I have been talking to Siv Jakobsen about her upcoming live album (out on 27th April) that was recorded in Rockefeller in Oslo – her beautiful hometown. She discusses what songs were included; why she decided to cover Dolly Parton’s Jolene and what comes next for her – she reveals what her touring plans are.

I ask Jakobsen how she has progressed as an artist and what music compels her; new artists that inspire her right now; the advice she would give to new artists of the moment – and, what the scene is like in Oslo right now.

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Hi, Siv. How are you? How has your week been?

Great, thanks! Just getting out of a short Easter holiday and preparing to release the live album soon.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

My name is Siv Jakobsen and I write, release and perform songs that are often said to be melancholic and acoustic.

Your debut album, The Nordic Mellow, was released last It has been nominated for Best International Record at this year’s Unsigned Music Awards. How does that make you feel?

Great! It’s a lovely thing to have it be recognised and I love that there is a platform like that for self-released/independent releases.

The album has gained positive reviews and lots of love. Were you expecting it to get such a big response?!

I did hope people would like it of course, but it’s hard to know what to expect - I just hoped it wouldn’t just quietly fade away without anyone noticing. The response has, thankfully, been lovely, so I am very grateful.

I know you’ll be releasing a live album very soon. It was recorded at Rockefeller in Oslo. What was the reason for choosing that location? What compelled you to record a live album?

The Rockefeller show was the only hometown show for The Nordic Mellow release tour, so it felt like a good chance to capture my live show in a (to me) very familiar and lovely atmosphere. I had my whole band with me (string quartet and all) so I couldn’t pass up the chance to have it recorded. It was originally thought to become a short E.P., but the recordings were too good not to release.

Is there a mix of older and newer songs included? Was it hard putting a set-list together?

Yes! There’s a bit of both The Lingering and The Nordic Mellow on there; some familiar arrangements, some with brand new arrangements. It was a lot of fun. As for set-lists; I find them very difficult as I use a lot of different tunings and have to not only think of the flow of the show but, also, what will work, tuning-wise.

So, it’s always a bit hard. Haha.

I know Jolene, your version of it, is included. What is it about Dolly Parton and that song that speaks to you?

Jolene is the sort of song, for me, that really resonates on a deep level. I think a lot of people have had a Jolene in their life, so it feels universal in some way. I love the imagery of the lyric and the pleading tone of the chorus. It’s a masterpiece of a song and I really felt when I created my little version of it; that I was singing about myself.

I only hope I was able to do the song justice.

How important is Oslo to you? Is it a great city to record and write music in?

Oslo is my home so it’s, of course, very important. This is where I live, where I rest and where I write a lot of my songs. I’ve actually never recorded a studio album here, though - only the live-record. But, I assume it would be a great experience to do that here as well...

What sort of music captured you at a young age? Can you recall the first album you ever bought?

At a younger age, my favourite band was the Spice Girls – so, that was probably the first album I bought. Hehe. I was also big into Classical music when I was very, very little. Apparently, I would sit in front of the stereo in our living-room and be totally mesmerised if mom put on Vivaldi or Debussy. I also loved Boney M, as it was my father’s favourite band.

A pretty interesting mix of music, I guess.

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up? Will you come to the U.K. and play at any point?

I don’t have any longer tours planned at the moment, as I’m trying to write a new record - but I do have a few shows in the U.K. this summer. I’m playing at St. Pancras Old Church in London on June 4th with a string quartet and at Timber Festival in June.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

The Rockefeller show was a big one for me as a headline gig. Another incredible memory is when I was touring with Bear’s Den. The guys brought me and the other support, Matthew & the Atlas, out at the end of the performances and we all sang Leonard Cohen’s So Long, Marianne together in front of one little mic. It was pure magic every night.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Be yourself! Seriously: sincerity is beautiful.

IN THIS PHOTO: Fay Wildhagen

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

I’m usually quite late to ‘discover’ new artists, but here are a few artists that I think are incredible:

Fay Wildhagen; Julien Baker (not sure if she’s new or small, but incredible either way); Liza Anne; Adrianne Lenker (of Big Thief. Her solo stuff is incredible); WILSEN; Bryde.