Norwegian singer-songwriter, Fay Wildhagen, has had a culmination of events surround her since her sophomore release, Borders in 2018, for which she was nominated for Spellemann in the categories indie and producer of the year. She has since toured the country on sold-out club tours, played many of the country’s major music festivals, including a defining performance during Øyafetivalen (NOR). Her live performances are a sight to behold as her songs come to extraordinary life, surrounded by a phenomenal team of musicians. Fay’s upcoming release, Leave Me to the Moon (Live in Oslo), was recorded in Oslo Concert Hall in November 2019, and will be available on vinyl June 20 for Record Store Day, and on June 26 digitally on Warner Music Norway.
Fay shares that the album is “an attempt to take back the music as I remembered it was for me in the beginning, playing band exercises in my mom’s basement where we figured out how to play it together. I have for a long time felt an urge and a longing to get back together, and all it entails; playing in the same room, responding to each other’s tone language, and thus breathing a life into the songs they otherwise only get in concert.” Featured on the live album is one of Fay’s biggest role models, Ane Brun, for which Brun contributes on the album for the recording of “When I Let Go.” As Fay explains, “the recording of “When I Let Go” is definitely seen as one of the highlights of my career so far, and it felt so surreal and big to have an artist with as much weight as Ane Brun. She gave the song something I didn’t know it had.”
What are your earliest memories with music, and when did you know that you wanted to become a singer and songwriter?
Fay Wildhagen: My earliest memory with music? Hmmm…. Not sure, but I remember my mother’s boyfriend played me songs on his guitar in the evening. To me it was magic, not listening through a stereo or radio but that the music actually happened in this room, right in front of me. He bought me my first guitar when I was six. I’ve never wanted to be a singer and songwriter, it just happened. I still think it’s pretty scary.
What was it like to record with one of your role models, Ane Brun? How did that collaboration come about?
Fay: Wild! Is it true? Did it really happen? For real?
I sent her a DM on Instagram and she said yes! Recording “When I let go – Live” with her is a huge highlight of my career.
With the impending release of your upcoming album, Leave Me To The Moon (Live In Oslo), what led you to release a live album?
Fay: I wanted to explore the songs who are so densely produced, especially on my latest album “Borders”. I wanted to get to know new sides of the songs and try to find their core. As a musician in a 2020 music industry over flooded by midi, sessions, and sending your overdub via emails and such I also just really missed live music with organic instruments. Reacting to each other’s notes, improvising, combine musical personalities with the millions of sounds of your instrument. I wanted to get back to the music!
You’re also a talented guitar player. When did you pick up a guitar, and do you play or want to learn to play any other instruments?
Fay: I started practicing when I was about ten. Hmm… I want to get better on the piano.
How are you keeping close to your music during the current global event?
Fay: I just moved out in the forest. Going to build a studio here and stay until this situation is over.
“Life of Pi”:
Fun Questions
What was your first album on cassette, CD and/or vinyl?
Fay: Oh. I think it was Spice Girls… Spice World?
Who was your first concert, and who has been your favorite so far?
Fay: I have no idea, but I remember I went alone to a festival when I was fifteen to see Slash and friends….! (laughs)
Which five albums and/or artists would you not want to live without?
Fay:
Bon Iver, Bon Iver (+ all his albums)
Feist, Metals.
Thomas Dybdahl, Science,
Coldplay, Parachutes
Ane Brun, It All Starts With One
Do you have a guilty music and/or entertainment pleasure?
Fay: John Mayer.
What are you currently listening to, watching, and/or reading?
I’m reading “Svøm med dem som drukner” by Lars Mytting. I don’t know what it’s called in English. Listening to Thomas Dybdahl a lot and jazz. (smiles)
“When I Let Go” featuring Ane Brun:
Connect with Fay on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.. Stream her music on Spotify.
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