HIGHWIRE DAZE INTERVIEWS


PART ONE -- ERIC MELZER

Updated: 02/08/00

Norway is a band not from the famed European country, but Southern California itself! Playing a cool brand of techno-pop reminiscent of early Depeche Mode, Norway's songs are catcy and fun to listen to. We recently conducted e-mail interviews with both Norway members on an individual basis. So read on and find out all about THE ESSENCE OF NORWAY!

Highwire Daze: Introduce yourself and tell me what you do in Norway.

Eric Melzer: My name is Eric and I am from Southern California. I have never been to the country "Norway". It's just a name.

HD: Why did you decide to call your band Norway as opposed to some other worthy country?

Eric: Because Japan was taken.

HD: Where is the band actually from and how long have you been together?

Eric: We are from Southern California and we have been together for about 7 years or so.

HD: Where do you get the ideas for some of the lyrics?

Eric: Life, mostly.

HD: How influential is Christianity in your music?

Eric: It's part of our life, so I guess the lyrics will reflect that, even if only subtly.

HD: Where did the "Jesus Girl" cover come from and why did you decide to record it?

Eric: A Christian band from the 80's called "Undercover". They were one of my favorites growing up and this song in particular really inspired me as a kid. I know that there are no kids out there today that have heard of Undercover and I felt this song deserved to be heard by kids these days. Also I feel there is a real lack of spiritual inspiration from most Christian bands lately. Plus, its a cool song. I'm thinking of putting the original up on my website because most people have never heard the original version.

HD: What would you say to non Christians who like your music?

Eric: Well, I just want to say that its great that you like our songs, and our music. We don't want to exclude anyone of course, and we don't want to force God down anyone's throat. We are Christians, and we love God, and we love our lives. We just want to make beautiful music that is a reflection of our lives experiences. And of course, we have happy and sad times like everyone else, but there is good news in that we have Someone to turn to when we have problems.

HD: Do you think electronic music will become more popular in the future?

Eric: I hope so. I listen to a lot of electronic music, and I know it has been very popular in Europe for some time. Groups like Aqua, who have sold over 17 million records worldwide, are just a novelty band in the states. Anyway, a lot of Americans just don't seem to be letting go of their good old rock and roll, and don't seem to be interested in progressing musically. It's funny how a lot of people stereotype synthesizer music as "retro" or "80's" when rock music has been pretty much the same instruments for decades. Me and a lot of electronic music musicians are bitter over this issue, and while it seems electronic music has broken into the pop music market, it still remains somewhat of a minor presence in the music world except in the clubs and raves. However, electronic music has shown an increase in popularity over the years, which is good.

HD: What do you think of Depeche Mode in general and their songs "Blasphemous Rumour" and "Personal Jesus" in particular?

Eric: Depeche Mode was extremely successful at making people aware of synthesizer music and I think we owe a lot to that. However, their songs turned very dark a couple albums into their career which seemed to really help their career. In any case there has been a lot of negativity surrounding this group, and I can understand why. The song "Blasphemous Rumours" is just terrible. It's a bad influence to kids, but if you think about it, it's not too hard to understand how he wrote that song, coming from his perspective. There are worse songs but like I said, the worst thing is that it's such a catchy song that kids get it stuck in their head and actually start to get influenced by the song. That's bad. The song "Personal Jesus" is about televangelists, and again, I can see why they are frustrated by this kind of people, especially after all the bad press about them. It's coming from a secular point of view, and it's not a good example, but that's what sells. (Plus it's a really catchy tune).

HD: How often do you perform in the LA/OC areas and are there any shows planned?

Eric: We are from that area so that is where we play most often. Currently we are working on our next album and dont have any shows planned in the near future. Any shows we do have will be posted on our website or www.plastiqmusiq.com.

HD: What did you guys wind up doing this New Years Eve?

Eric: We were amazed at how weak America celebrated the new year, compared to other counrties.

HD: If there was one thing you'd like a listener to get out of hearing the music of Norway, what would it be?

Eric: That life is good, and God is always there to get us through anything.

HD: Are there any other Norway releases available?

Eric: Not yet, however we do have a song called "Walk On The Ocean" on plastiqmusiq new music volume 1 and another song coming on new music volume 2.

HD: What are the future plans for the band?

Eric: To make music until we can't anymore.


PART TWO -- DOUG HUIBREGTSE

HD: Introduce yourself and tell me what you do in Norway.

Doug Huibregtse: Doug Huibregtse - singer, programmer.

HD: Why did you decide to call your band Norway as opposed to some other worthy country?

Doug: Short, catchy name people would remember, good groups from the area (Abba, A-ha, Aqua), subtly ironic.

HD: Where is the band actually from and how long have you been together?

Doug: Redlands, California - Norway has officially been around for about a year and a half, but Eric and I have been doing music for close to 10 years

HD: Where do you get the ideas for some of the lyrics?

Doug: Real life experiences and hopes for the future

HD: How influential is Christianity in your music?

Doug: Very - without God, I wouldnt have anything worth writing about, or writing for. It is all for His glory.

HD: Where did the "Jesus Girl" cover come from and why did you decide to record it?

Doug: An 80s Christian punk-pop band wrote the song, and we both kinda grew up with this band, among others, and decided to re-create this favorite of ours.

HD: What would you say to non Christians who like your music?

Doug: Enjoy it, listen to the lyrics, and dance dance dance. Hopefully we're making an impact in an eternal way.

HD: Do you think electronic music will become more popular in the future?

Doug: I sure hope so... and I believe it is way more popular than it used to be (early 90s) and should progress.

HD: What do you think of Depeche Mode in general and their songs "Blasphemous Rumour" and "Personal Jesus" in particular?

Doug: Depeche Mode is obviously an influential band, and is a good example of clean, polished 80's synth music. However, songs such as these kind ruin the overall integrity of the musicians in a sad way. They are against the God who gave them their very gift they are using. It's sad.

HD: How often do you perform in the LA/OC areas and are there any shows planned?

Doug: We have performed 4 concerts to date, 2 of which were in the Orange County area. Touring isn't something that's too possible at this time, due to both our full-time jobs, but the shows we did play were fun and we got good feedback.

HD: What did you guys wind up doing this New Years Eve?

Doug: I rented a cabin in Lake Tahoe and did some snowboarding with some friends.

HD: If there was one thing you'd like a listener to get out of hearing the music of Norway, what would it be?

Doug: That despite life's quirks and pitfalls, God is good and loves us, and life is worth living because of that fact.

HD: Are there any other Norway releases available?

Doug: We have one full length album released (our first, "The Essence Of Norway") and have songs on 3 different compilation CD's. "So You Say" (an album song) appears again on the Tooth & Nail "Cheapskates" compilation. A non-album song "Walk On The Ocean" is on Pplastiqmusiq's "New Musiq Volume 1", and our version of "White Christmas" is on Tooth & Nail's "Happy Christmas Volume 2"

HD: What are the future plans for the band?

Doug: Make more music, and share Gods love with as many people as we can.

The Essence Of Norway is available at all cool indie stores from the folks at Plastiquemusiq!!!


NORWAY LINKS

THE OFFICIAL NORWAY HOME PAGE: All the info on Norway!!!
PLASTIQMUSIQ: The record label for Norway!!!
THE HIGHWIRE DAZE HOME PAGE: Return to the Main Page!!!