Kate Havnevik – To Russia With Love

Kate Havnevik is an artist whose first two albums have been critically if not commercially acknowledged here in the UK and she has demonstrated a talent for writing engaging, sophisticated songs that suggest a breakthrough into the mainstream is just a short time away.

As she set out on a mini tour of Russia, with St Petersburg and Moscow both on her agenda, I caught up with her and discovered that her connections to Britain are more than just musical.

“Although I am based in Oslo, my father is English and I have spent a lot of time in London and also studied music at Liverpool University so I am very much a child of Marmite and Weetabix!”

Music played a big part in Kate’s early years, with both her parents being flautists so there was a certain inevitability to her career path.

“I suppose it was a natural progression for me. My parents were both very supportive of my decision to study music and make it my career and as I grew up I came to London a few times with my dad, so I developed a love of travel as well.

“I started to write my own material when I was a teenager and those early years helped to shape my style and interest.”

Kate’s first album Melankton arrived first on iTunes and then as a CD in 2006 and was well received by critics, although its initial release was limited to Norway alone. In success of getting TV placements in US TV shows as Grey's Anatomy, where she has featured 8 songs, and in other shows as West Wing, Injustice, and OC, it led to a global release the following year.

“It was such a thrill to have my music out there and to see how people were responding to it. It’s one thing to write an album, you always do it for yourself first and foremost, but to have fans and critics come back to you with messages of support and enthusiasm is really uplifting. It establishes a connection and drives you to explore and develop that relationship with your fans further.”

After some trouble in her personal life and some health issues Kate went back to writing her next album YOU with long-time collaborator and producer Guy Sigsworth.

Kate ran a long PlegdeMusic Campaign and released the album on her website in October 2011. The album will be officially released on iTunes 16^th January 2012.

Featuring a more dynamic sound and a quality of writing in songs such as Halo and Show Me Love, there is a greater depth to her follow up that demonstrates a real creative talent. 

For Kate there is also another side to her writing and performing and although she enjoys creating her own material she is also enjoys collaborating and has worked with Royksopp, Carmen Rizzo and German top electronic artist Schiller. These projects serve as important contributors to her career and the development of her music.

“Working with others stops you developing a tunnel-vision approach and often enhances your output. I wouldn’t want to lose this and although my own career is always going to be of my primary focus, I like the dynamic that others bring.”

So how does she view the internet as a platform for new artists?

“I think whether you’re an established name or someone fresh into the music business, the Internet is a fundamental component of your make-up as an artist. More people use it than ever before for listening and discovering new material.  For artists, it makes it easier than ever to connect with your audience. Without it you are unlikely to break into the mainstream.

“Of course it does also open up the challenges posed by illegal downloading but in the end, the benefits far outweigh the negatives and for many major artists, the real developments are taking place around the live experience.”

And does she like performing?

“I love it. It is that unique experience of something new. You might have a run of nights planned on a tour that spans several cities, countries or even continents and whilst you may perform the same set of songs – give or take a couple – no amount of planning can dictate the atmosphere, which means every event is different.

“Music is very therapeutic, not just for me as a performer but also for the audience. I can say this having sat on both sides of the fence and experienced what it is like to give as well as to receive from a concert.”

In her spare time – of which there is very little – she loves film, music and theatre and also enjoys being at home and good food.

“I like to eat in rather than eat out although,“ she confesses with a smile, “I prefer someone else to do the cooking! I’m also a very spiritual person, deeply passionate about what I do – must be something to do with being a Scorpio – and a big tea drinker!”

If you would like to know more about Kate Havnevik, visit her website at www.katehavnevik.com where you can also find details of her current releases.

To the uninitiated I would suggest a listen of her second album You, an album that will leave you wondering where she has been all your life!

George R Vaughan


We have 5 copies of Kate's album up for grabs. 

To win, all you need to do is answer the following question:

In which year was Kate's debut album Melankton first released?

Send your answers to competitions@womentalking.co.uk ensuring your place the words Kate Havnevik in the subject header and also include your Women Talking username. This competition is only open to Women Talking subscribers so any entry without a valid username will not be accepted.

Please note this competition has now closed. 

Posted Sun, 11/27/2011 - 23:27 by George Vaughan