Formula indie Sessions Henning Andersen
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
I played in a band with my grandparents when I was 4. I thought I could play the guitar, but I didnt have a clue. But music has meant everything to me since my grandpa played harmonica straight into my ear when I was 1 – I dont remember anything of that, but I got photos!
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I heard The Beatles on my parents Tandberg tape recorder when I was 7. I was lost forever. Just 3 years later I wrote my first song with my best friend, and not long after we made a band with two other great friends. We grew up together and played as often as we could. In December 1980, just two weeks after the killing of John Lennon, we told the local newspaper we’re going to get bigger than The Beatles. I was Paul McCartney in that band – just because I played the bass. It was an amazing upbringing.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
I stopped writing music in my 20s, and picked it up again when the pandemic took my job away. I was in charge of big action sports events in Norway, like X Games, and it was prohibited to gather large crowds. A friend of mine talked me into picking up the songwriting again and start recording. So I did. I used the pandemic to record my first record, which I released in 2022. Last year I went to Charleston in the US to make a record with one of my favourite young producers, Wolfgang Zimmerman. I had never met him before, just been listening to his work for Band of Horses, Susto, Futurebirds. I wanted something of the modern coolness Wolfgang brought to those bands. It could have gone terrible wrong, but the chemistry with Wolfgang was magical from the first second we set foot into his studio. The result was the album Montford Ave, my third in three years, and second this year. The trip, the music, the friendship with Wolfgang, was just a dream for me.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
It’s hard to evaluate your own music, but I hope find the sound modern and creative. I try to make catchy choruses, meaningful lyrics and variation in instruments, wrapped in what I hope is high quality songwriting, but that’s not up to me to decice.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
For me it was just starting with songwriting again. I spent over 30 years not writing music, then I woke up again. It was almost like a religious awakening. Now I am 5 years into my song writing period and I am starting to get the hang of it. Three albums in three years is pretty productive, right? And already next week I have booked a new studio session for a song that turned up in my head a couple of weeks ago.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
Just the guitar. I am a guitar player, and I write songs mostly on guitar. I can play for hours every day, and every know and then jamming turns into cool chord progression that I start singing on. Then I just record the idea on my phone. I got about 1000 song ideas on that phone. For recording, I am depending upon musicians with a studio. I dont know any recording technology☺
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
There’s lots of them. I get added to playlists all over the world, and I download those lists and start listening. So many great artist with fantastic music you never heard before! It’s hard to believe they are not already superstars. My favourite right now is Anthony Ruptak from Denver, Colorado. He released his amazing album Tourist on November 7. His song Phantasmagoria is probably the best tune I have heard this year. He hardly got any streams on Spotify, so go in an listen and give him some love, y’all!
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Songwriting is a deeply personal thing. I dont think you are able to reach other human beings with music without reflecting your personality in some way. But I dont try to be too explicit about it. I try to combine melody, chords, arrangements and lyrics to a musical message that moves people – or make them reflect on certain issues.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
Stand your ground and be independent and free, is important to me. Use music to get inspired, reflect on who you want to be and how you can help others and be part of community. It’s all about how we feel, right. You wanna feel good, but for the right reasons. Go out there, have an adventure, explore, but always respect your roots. Love and family. These things are important to me, and sometimes I am lucky to capture these values and emotions in songs – but not always. It’s not easy, but can be magic when you get it☺ Sometimes it means my songs reflects on the darker side of life. Life is not always easy, and I believe it is important to be honest with that as well.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Playing together and create a band feeling, a community, is the best thing for me personally. I love playing a lot on my guitar alone. Bur I can’t wait for the next rehearsal and concert. I just love the vibe and communication in a band when forming a song. You go into that room with a melody in your head and come out with something truelly amazing, I just get so stoked on that feeling.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
Anywhere people want to hear my music. We dont mind if there is one or 10 000 fans. If they come to hear our music, we play untill our fingers bleed.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Paul McCartney. I cant think of any living individual who has influenced modern music, and me, more than him. And I think his songwriting is so broad, talented and interesting.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
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Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I got a plan, but gotta keep it a secret untill I got some confidence on my next song, which I am recording next week☺ But my dream is to play more live. I got an incredible band with young musicians, the youngest is only 21 – and I am 57. I really enjoy the contrast playing with much younger talents. They see music through a different lense than me, which makes it so much more exciting. And I am so stoked that young supertalents are contributing to my songs and live shows. The energy, vibe and creativity they bring is so cool.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
First and foremost that I make good songs. If they like my songs, I am happy.
