THE NORDIC MUSIC PODCAST

Clever-pop is Norwegian singer-songwriter Sandra Kolstad’s craft. And that is not to say that her music isn't easily accessible or that there is any pretentiousness to it. Far from it. It’s just that her songs have a distinct… otherness, possibly as a result of the experiences Kolstad draws on from her other artistic occupations (including being a novelist, actor and composter).

 

Kolstad started off as a pianist, training with Norwegian composer, Wolfgang Plagge, but the wild Berlin scene where she spent a chunk of her 20s re-directed her attention from classical music towards dance and club culture. From her very first album, Crux, back in 2011, it was clear that Kolstad had something interesting to say as well as an interesting way of saying it.

 

Her take on electronic pop has resulted in an eclectic interpretation of ideas, marrying intricate melodies and clever lyrics with unpredictable arrangements.

Kolstad’s attitude to pop has always offered a genuinely fresh feel.

 

On Soft Hard, her latest album, which came out in the first half of 2024, Kolstad returns to her roots, embracing the piano and inviting it to socialise with the more machine-made sounds that characterise her discography.

 

Teasing the album’s release last year, Kolstad put out ‘'Unlearning’, a song she’s described as being about shedding the learned perspectives that shape how we see the world, ourselves and others. A song that goes in several different, unexpected directions, ‘'Unlearning’ proved to be the perfect foreshadowing for an album that is always surprising and allows you to discover new things with every listen.

 

One of the people who helped Kolstad create this unique piece of work is Danish artist, Asbjørn, who co-produced the record. Asbjørn, the very first guest on Melody A.M. back in 2022, joins Doron as a guest-host on this interview with Kolstad. Together, the two musicians discuss their collaboration, share stories of their friendship and offer insights about their respective creative processes.

 

Below you’ll find a playlist with some of the best moments from Sandra Kolstad’s career to date (according to Melody A.M.) and on the Asbjørn page of the website you can also check out a playlist dedicated to the Danish pop master.