Yesterday Marit Larsen released the single ”Don’t Save Me”. And there’s no reason to rescue Larsen – she manages very well on her own.
Four years have passed since girl duo M2M lost their contract with major record company Atlantic Records, and Marit Larsen had to pack her case to return to Norway. Childhood friend and band collegue Marion Ravn remained, after promises of a lucrative solo contract with the same company.
– And the first thing I did when I came back to Norway, was to move away from home. When you’ve lived in hotels as long as I have, you develope an urge to be independent, she says.
– After I had come back I discovered how much easier it was to write lyrics when you in fact lead a normal life, instead of being on the move all the time. For the first time as a songwriter I could settle down while working; when I didn’t have to focus on deadlines, I got more inspired to examine my own musical expression.
– I really haven’t noticed how long time has passed until people started asking. All these while I have to the fullest been present in my own life. Furthermore, I didn’t want to present anything until I was sure I could account for it one hundrer percent, says Marit.
Raised In The Limelight
The experiences from the international record business has in good and bad ways given Marit Larsen given a solid foundation to debut as a solo artist. And she does just that with the album ”Under the Surface” on EMI March 6th.
– When you’ve gotten your entire puberty displayed in the limelight, you’re bound to learn how to deal with this business. One of the most important things I’ve learnt is not to let others define who I am. Marion and I were often referred to in the media as ”the one with the ambitions” and ”the one with artistic weight” respectively. That was all wrong. Marion has lot of artistic weight as well, and I have lots of ambition. We are both lovers of music, so these roles were just comical.
– Besides setting limits it’s also important to appreciate the highs that come, because the downs are unavoidable anyway. That’s why I’m going to enjoy the fact that my record is finished as long as I can.
The M2M Breakup
– When I look back at what’s happened, I see that the M2M breakup was the best thing that could have happened to me. I’ve had lots of time to rehearse and write music. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very happy with what we got to experience with M2M, but in the end we both had needs to move in new musical directions, says Marit Larsen.
– I know there’s been a lot of speculation about what really happened between us, but in the end Marion and I are the only ones that know what really happened, she says.
What kind of relationship do you have today?
– We’re still friends, even though we haven’t got much contact. It’s like most childhood friends, you eventually grow apart.
Translation thanks to Halvard