Henrik grew up in Denmark but soon found the winters and bacon a bit trivial, so he opted for London and has the last few years been working like a dog.
Sessions, tours and guest appearances for the likes of Sir George Martin, Kim Richey, Morcheeba and Lisa Mitchell to name a few, has made him a sought after musician.
More interesting though is his debut album ‘FACTION’ from November 2008 for which he coined the word ‘Scanbient’ to conjure up the style.
Henrik’s an artist to be reckoned with. Sit back, relax and enjoy!
_________________
Q&A with Australian independent radio station PBS 106.7 FM:
Your name?
Henrik.
Where are you from (city/country)?
Originally from Denmark (Humlebaek/North of Copenhagen) but I’ve lived in London since 96.
Your sound can be described as?
A whisper? David Sylvian meets Elliott Smith meets Sigur Ross? You decide.
Fill us in on the history – where did your band/act start, what changes and developments have happened along the way and where are you now?
I started singing in the local youth club band when I was 10 – Beatles, Iggy etc. I played boring piano pieces when I was 12, wrote my first song when I was 14, formed my first serious band – The Royals – when I was 17.
I toured Elsinore and Sealand for years and Estonia three times, signed a deal with Edel Records (Sony) in autumn 95 – the deal fell through because of a merge or something. Then the local release of our single Day of Reckoning in September 96.
I relocated to London in November 96 (with The Royals) to loose my Danish accent! No, to learn the language proper and become part of the English speaking world of music. Since then I’ve been honing my writing, working like a bitch, played and/or recorded with Morcheeba, Vanessa Carlton, Sir George Martin, Jason Mraz, Kim Richey, Jamie Scott & The Town, Lisa Mitchell, Boy Cried Wolf, White Russians, CatHead et all.
I released my debut album FACTION November 3rd 2008 on UK indie label Lojinx, check out the songs on this page.
What’s your earliest memory of developing a passion for music?
Hearing Woman by John Lennon on Danish radio – early eighties?
Your influences (musical, political etc) and why?
Anything that ‘sparks’. Anything that I connect with: music, people, thoughts, attitudes, views. In this day and age we’re all so surface orientated, being pumped full of shit and programmed to buy this or
that. Stories and substance over style and shit any day.
What’s your Mum or Dad’s favorite record/song and why do you love/hate it?
My Mum’s into all sorts: Lennon, Piaf, mainly radio actually, people talking you know. Dad’s into Fats Waller, all the old people and I love it all!
Most memorable gig you’ve played and why?
Supporting Calexico and Iron & Wine with Morcheeba in Washington DC in November 2005, the crowd was amazing and I got to hang out with Joey, John, Martin etc. through the whole evening – mint lads!
What’s the most naughty thing you and/or the band have gotten up to on tour?
Too many to mention.
Do you drink? And if so what’s you’re favorite rock ‘n’ roll recipe? If you don’t drink would you care to elaborate as to why?
Sambuca is my speciality, ideally black – I can’t get enough of that stuff, must be the sugar. And don’t forget to light it in your mouth.
What was the first record that you ever owned and tell us the story of how it came into your possession and why you loved it?
I was given A Hard Days Night by me parents one Christmas way back. It was a nice change from the mixed tapes with Duran Duran and A-ha etc that I’d been listening to. Needless to say A Hard Days Night is a classic and everyone should own a copy, first pure power pop/rock and it hasn’t been done better since.
What’s the best thing about the music scene you are involved in and why?
I don’t believe there’s any scene, let’s leave that for fashion and style gurus. Costello said there’s only two kinds of music….. I’d like to think that I’m a small part of a good vibe here in London, it’s such a great and diverse place.
I suppose the latest and biggest ‘scene’ is here on the net and especially with say, MySpace and Facebook it’s looking good for independent music out there.
What’s the worst thing about the music scene you are involved in and why?
Not enough time in the day to check out all the good stuff.
How did you get involved in the music scene you find yourself in now?
Picking up the phone and being kind to people.
Any parting words?
Cheers for having me!
______
Please visit:
Lojinx (UK record label)