Thanks to Filter Magazine, Perfect Porridge had the opportunity to interview Norway’s Even Johansen (a.k.a. Magnet) about his new album, current tour and of course, remote control cars. Read on…

Bergen, Norway is definitely what we would call the new Seattle, with groups like Kings of Convenience and Röyksopp hitting it big in the states. Do you think the climate in the states is more receptive to bands from Norway and other Scandinavian countries with so much material being released here?
I think there is a lot of great music coming from Bergen. We’re all very supportive of each other, and I think that helps. As the word spreads, I think we all bring each other along. The reception in the states has been phenomenal.

Often times artists who write songs full of bittersweet melancholy are thought of to be drab artist-types without a sense of humor - is that you?
Nobody in Norway has a sense of humor (laughs). My songs do have that melancholy feel as you call it, but really, I don’t take my self too seriously. In reality, if I’m really happy, I’d rather take my remote control car out or get on my boat then sit down and write a happy song.

So is it cathartic for you, to work through your emotions through writing material?
I guess so. It’s not like every time I have a bad day or am feeling depressed I write a song, but it’s definitely not on the good days.

So with that said, who would you say where your inspirations growing up, whether from the states, the UK or Norway?
I’m not dimunitive in my musical tastes, and I’m not a bigot when it comes to music. So rather than name groups, I’d rather say that musicians are my role models. Overall, these role models lead me to aspire to be an honest and soulful person.

I read that you’ve always dreamed of being a cowboy, how did that come about?
Here’s how the cowboy thing got started. I’m fan of Clint Eastwood and those types of films, you call them Spaghetti Westerns. What I like, is the idea of taking responsibility for your own actions that was always present in the film. So the good guy, who was always a nobody, always did what was right and came out as a hero. There’s an unspoken rule that you’ll be rewarded for doing what’s right. So in reality, being responsible for your own actions is something that I strive for all the time.

Magnets attract and repel simultaneously - is that a metaphor for your music or your fans?
I actually have a tattoo of a magnet. Growing up I was anemic and it was supposed to kill me. So everyone’s just called me magnet - no deeper thinking into it really.

What’s touring been like?
The fans have been unbelievable. Right now, we’re in the middle of it. We went up the East coast, then into Kansas for a week, and now are on the West Coast and it’s going really well. People even clap when I finish playing. It amazes me that so many people know about this Magnet thing. I’m really looking forward to SXSW, too. It’s supposed to be great.

Tour dates remaining:
03.07 Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
03.08 San Francisco, CA @ Café Du Nord
03.09 Seattle, WA @ Triple Door
03.10 Seattle, WA @ Easy Street Records
03.11 Portland, OR @ White Eagle
03.14 Los Angeles, CA @ Hotel Café
03.16 Austin, TX @ 18th Floor Capitol Place (SXSW, KCRW show)
03.17 Austin, TX @ Cedar St Courtyard (SXSW, Filter party)
03.21 New York, NY @ The Living Room

The Tourniquet is in stores now.