MuzicNotez: First off, it’s an honor to be doing this interview with you, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us.
What motivated you to start creating music? What age did you begin?
Harlequins Enigma: I was motivated in different ways. When I was little I sang to barbra streisand`s memories & listened to ultravox` fine electronica music, & was also interested in kiss, beatles & joan jett in rock music. I was also weak for abba. Their disco was great. That is my earliest influences. This was at age 7 to 12. Later in my life I discovered king diamond & metallica as a teenager & later vangelis, tangerine dream, jean michel jarre, kitaro, royksopp in my 20`s. I was very influenced by them all. I also had influence by amiga musicians atjazz, boom jinx, mantronix (martin wall), bruno, charles deenen, jeroen tel & jesper kyd via the amiga as I purchased an amiga as a young lad & started composing. & speaking of computers. I actually was a fan of the commodore 64 as well. With great sid modules made for games like last ninja by ben daglish & anthony lees, & dominator by matt gray. I also liked the works of rob hubbard & martin galway`s famed wizball tracks. Last jochen hippel`s amiga material made in future composer was also very nice work which I enjoyed.
MuzicNotez: Who were your musical influences, idols, or bands growing up that have helped mold you into the musician you are today? Or helped mold the music that you create?
Harlequins Enigma: The ones who helped me mold into what I am today, would be on the amiga side, atjazz & boom jinx, which I saw as state of the art material & measured the strength of my own compositions by. Later vangelis, jean michel jarre, kitaro, tangerine dream, klaus schulze, jan garbarek, dave weckl, kate bush all helped me among others in the 16bit industry with help during sessions in the period of 2008 till 2010 in harlequins enigma`s journey in music that is alive still today.
MuzicNotez: What’s the greatest concert you’ve ever been to or performed?
Harlequins Enigma: I am composer so I don`t do gigs. But the greatest concert I attended was and justice for all tour in lillestrøm in Norway many years ago when I was 17 or so, by Metallica.
MuzicNotez: What’s the ultimate goal you want your music to achieve, or for you to achieve in your career as a musician? Any particular message you wish to send?
Harlequins Enigma: My goal via my music was originally to earn enough money to purchase a house of my own. So my fans are the only ones who can make it real for me.
MuzicNotez: Out of all your songs or albums… do you have a favorite? What is it? And why?
Harlequins Enigma: A favourite from my own music is perhaps “yes my dear seagull” I think it is beautiful & I have many quack friends in the seagulls that visits. & “encourage” I think it is sad & genuine. & also “1944” – I think it is horrible in atmosphere that gives you the creeps, which I can`t imagine what was like from Hitler Germany in 1944, though I had inspiration for the track via the movie “Valkyrie” feat. Tom cruise. Last I like the beauty of “the hunt” which is pretty & feminine.
MuzicNotez: How was your video for ‘City Nights’ made? What’s the song mean to you?
Harlequins Enigma: City Nights as it is called was made by myself using royalty free clips. I wanted to make the video into something from Las Vegas with its nightlife, so it was natural to incorporate casinos & money into it. The track ain’t bad & received a good review from Eric De Fontenay at www.mi2n.com
MuzicNotez: What does your name ‘Harlequins Enigma’ mean?
Harlequins Enigma: The Harlequins Enigma Name is Based Upon the Words Expectation As in Dolls, Their Origin, & the Origin Vs Real People. I Once Had A Lighter with A Girl On, Showing A Little of Her Face with A Yellow Rose & Two Identical Females As Guardians At Each Side of Her. In the Picture Also A Walking Creature That Looks Like A Walking Mouse, Pregnant. This is Part of What Harlequins Enigma is About: Expectation. We Value Hope for Something Better, As An Eternal Flame. There is Also A Different Side of Harlequins Enigma Which i Found As An Alternative in the Oxford Dictionary, Where Harlqeuins Enigma Could Be A Demon Rider. Thinking of That i Wonder If That Might Be An Ancient Being That Might Be the Boss of Our Universe, namely Oberon.
MuzicNotez: You work in a lot of different genres, any genres you haven’t worked with that you would like to?
Harlequins Enigma: Yes I would like to check out my ethno inspirations & maybe a modern dance track like trance, but don`t wait too hard, cause the material is more or less destiny based as I seldom choose a genre before I start. I see more what it transforms into. đŸ™‚
MuzicNotez: Anything new coming up from you?
Harlequins Enigma: A testament collection is on its way. It is a best of collection on 3 double albums. 1 of them “tears” was released today, the others will hopefully follow soon. Part from this I have a new track in the making called cowards & heroes, a pop track. The track is good on the harlequins enigma scale, & the b-side (also pop), may be as good or better. The b-side is called apetite for oxygen. It is a track composed by 6 people including myself in 2009 at harlequins enigma`s heights. This track features klaus schulze & emma watson among other friends like sara jensen, elin berge & jan larsen timbrevig. The track was brutally destroyed by hackers in 2009, but I recently found a recording that had the track intact, which made me very happy.
MuzicNotez: Anything else you wish to say about yourself or your music? Any message for your fans?
Harlequins Enigma: My message for the fans would be to have faith in me as I have faith in them. Take a good look at the testament collection once it is out, then get to February & listen to cowards & heroes & appetite for oxygen & ask yourself if you would like to be without this music. đŸ™‚ I certainly think it counts as a couple of evergreens myself. Hope you all agree!
