Now I'm going to party, a happy Marit Larsen told us after the release party Wednesday evening. After a year writing songs, she now debuts as a solo artist.
I felt that I had just started, when it was all over, Marit bursts out backstage at Kampen Bistro. She's just finished her first release party as a solo artist, in front of a very thankful audience.
I'm very satisfied. I've been looking forward to this all day.
Diehard fans?
She wasn't the only one. Among the audience we found some of Marit Larsen's most devoted fans, Gaute Havik Erikssen and Alf Storm. Beleive it or not, but in fact they have had a cover band playing M2M, Marion Ravn and Marit Larsens former pop group.
I think it was really good. I just wish she had played more songs, says Erikssen.
We are old fans, and think this is great fun. And we've had a M2M cover band. It was called M2M to the second power, since we study information technology.
Oooops, now we're talking nerds, says their friend Elise Hilland.
Erikssen feels obliged to explain:
We were having a student party, and needed entertainment. It was at the time they'd released their last record. And we knew someone who knew Marit Larsen, so the plan was that she'd join us. Unnecessary to mention; it never happened, but now they've at least seen her live on one of her first performances as a solo artist.
We've always thought that Marit was the cutest and nicest, admits Erikssen.
Yes, Marit was the greatest. But not a bad word about Marion, she's also done it good, says Storm.
Solo at last?
Backstage, Marit is joined by her band.
It's very different to do this alone. In many ways, I feel like a debutant, but at the same time it feels good to have the experience that I've got, she says.
M2M was an important part of my development, and I wouldn't be without it, but after we split up, I had much more time to sit down and write. I could just write because I love it. The music I've made, is a result of all that's inspired me from the very beginning.
Why has it taken such a long time to hear from you?
I found out that if I was going to make one more album, I had to be sure that this album really was me.
Did you ever consider not to get back to the music?
I would have played anyway. Music is such an important part of me, so I didn't consider that, no.
Really impressive
Nevertheless, she tells that she considered continuing music only as a hobby. There are many people who are happy she didn't do that, including the jazz artist Hanne Hukkelberg.
It was impressive. She is a really great artist, she's damn professional and writes great tunes, says Hukkelberg after the concert.
It's straight from the heart, says Marit.
Translation thanks to Halvard