Even though we’ve never met in
person I feel as though I know you through your music. Tell
me a little bit about your background, musical or otherwise:
where did you grow up, what is your musical chronology, how/when
did the dobro enter the scene?
I grew up in a small town in Norway called Halden. I live
there still:-) A beautiful place on the border to Sweden,
way down south. Population is approx 30000 and there's a big
fortress on top of a hill, looking over the town.
I
started to play a little bit organ when I was 6 years old,
but I didn't start playing for real until I picked up the
guitar at the age of 16. I started playing professionally
when I was 18 and it's been my occupation ever since. I'm
mainly self-taught, but I went to Musicians Institute of Technology
in Los Angeles for 12 months, to learn theory. I sang and
played guitars in various bands up to 2006 when I picked up
the dobro. I also started playing banjo, mandolin at that
time, but my heart was with the dobro.
Listening to your music and your videos I get the impression
that you came to the instrument with a highly develop ear
and learned to play by expressing what you hear inside your
head vs. copping licks off of records or watching others.
It's the most expressive instrument
I know of. (after the human voice, of course ) I'm self taught
on the dobro too, but I went to Resosummit in '08 to learn
a few tricks from the masters. I never played or almost even
heard bluegrass until '06. Bluegrass isn't that well known
in Norway. So my approach to the dobro is to play music I've
listened to and grew up to, and that's pop/rock. For an example,
I have arranged several Beatles tunes on the dobro.
I love your arrangements of Beatles tunes! I especially like
how you manage to put your own stamp on these tunes yet remain
true to the melody. What process do you go through in arranging
a tune? For example – do you try to stay in the original
key that the song was recorded in? How do work out mixing
single note lines with chords/harmony notes and/or keep a
steady rhythm going?
Watching the video clip above just reinforces for me the
value of being able to play what’s in your head and
the discipline and patience required to translate that onto
your instrument. It seems as though non-musicians sometimes
assume great musicians are born with this innate talent and
don’t have to do much work to get their chops together.
Do you think being a singer gives you an advantage in your
ability to create instrumental arrangements of vocal tunes
on the dobro?
Being a singer also, helps playing
any instrument, I think. You have to learn melodies in the
head, not only with your fingers.
Where do you draw your inspiration from when writing new tunes
or arranging other’s music? Who or what is your muse?
My inspiration is just playing and getting better.I believe
in hard work and practise. I'm not that kinda guy who sits
around and waits for inspiration.I think writing music is
like a muscle. You need to do it all the time to keep it in
shape. Of course, some days are thougher than others, but
I do get a kick of playing everyday. And I get really cranky
if I don't play.. Maybe it's an addiction:-) I just recently
picked up the fiddle, which is a really tough instrument to
master. I'm fully aware that I will not ever master it, or
any instrument, but it's a good thing to learn different instruments.
Because you can incorporate different techniques into your
own style at a given instrument.
The quality of your recordings is awesome! Please tell us
about your recording gear but also about the process that
you’ve gone through in learning how to get good results
in the studio.
Thanks! My interest for recording began when I started playing
and I believe it's been a really important part of my musical
development. I bought my first Fostex 4 track cassette-recorder
when I was 17 and went on from there. I'm now using Cubase
6 recording software and have collected microphones for a
while. On the dobro I love to use the Neumann KM 184, AKG
414 and Audio Technica 4033. I've also discovered that good
preamps are a must. I have a Vintage Design DMP ( Neve clone
) and a Chandler Germanium that I like to use on the dobro.
But the two most important things you need are a good musician
and a good instrument.
Perfect segway! Please tell us about your instruments:
what process did you go through in choosing your instruments
and what advice do you have for someone who is either just
getting started with the dobro or ready to upgrade from a
starter instrument to a pro-quality instrument.
I have one Beard Maple E, and one
Beard Vintage R model. My first dobro was a crappy Bean Blossom,
and I tried the Beard Vintage R model in a shop, and was sold
on it right away. Then when I visited Nashville first time
in '07, I tried the E model at Gruhns. Of course I had to
have that one too. hehe I feel that I have two very good dobros
that represent two different sounds. E Model is more "modern",
and the Vintage R sounds more old school. I found out fast
that a good instrument makes you want to play and practice
more..
What does your live rig consist of? Can you share any advice
for getting good sound for live performances?
My live rig includes a Boss GT10
pedalboard, Fishman Jerry Douglas Aura and a AER Alpha acoustic
amplifier. For dobro I think the JD Aura system is the absolute
best. It sounds great and the feedback problems are almost
eliminated.If you have a good instrument, it shouldn't be
necessary for you, or the soundguy, to tweak with the eq..
Maybe roll off a little under 100khz, but that's all. Don't
overdo effects. A little reverb on the dobro is nice. Don't
use chorus!!!! That's my biggest advice. I really don't know
why most acoustic amps have chorus..It makes the instrument
sound so cold, and '80s. haha
Speaking of live performances, I heard that you joined Tim
O’Brien on some gigs last year: how did that come about?
I’d also be interested to hear more about the music
scene in your area and what kind of gigs you do on a regular
basis.
Yeah I played with Tim for three
gigs here in Norway.He's such a great songwriter and musician.
I first met Tim at a recording session in Nashville. And he
told me that he always wanted to come to Norway and play.
So when I got home I picked up the phone and called a couple
of places. And we had fun for a week. I played the dobro,
guitar and mandolin on those gigs.
Thanks so much for taking the time to visit with us! What
kind of advice do you have for someone who is just getting
started on the dobro and/or the music business? Any words
of wisdom?
Give it your very best and don't
quit! Be curious on different styles of music and willing
to learn. Although the dobro is known as a bluegrass instrument,
it doesn't have to be limited to just that. Thanks so much
for having me!
