About the gig at Sofia's most prestigious hall, the forthcoming new album and about Christmas in Norway

The Norwegian musician who impressed the audience at the Bulgaria Hall supportingВ ANATHEMAВ on 20 November is back home.

And we are calling him to know what memories he possibly has from the gig and about his forthcoming new album...

an interview conducted by Vassil Varbanov

HEY, PETER, TWO WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS WHAT IS THE VIBE IN NORWAY AT THE MOMENT?
Oh, it's very, very cold. But aside from that it's very good. I'm feeling good about my recent tour and I'm planning new ones over new year.

SO, TELL US MORE ABOUT THESE NEW TOURS THAT WILL OBVIOUSLY HAPPEN IN 2011?
Yes, they are. I am releasing my new album in January back home in Norway and in addition to that I'm planning a tour in Norway in March. But actually just now I got the news that I'll beВ the support act again for Anathema in France at the end of February, so that's kind of great news for me, you know.

IT WAS LIKE TWO WEEKS AGO THAT YOU PLAYED IN SOFIA, BULGARIA FOR THE FIRST TIME. WHAT MEMORIES DO YOU HAVE? WAS IT A GOOD ONE?
Yes, it was. It was, you know, fantastic, really. It was one of the best crowds on that tour and I think I speak for Anathema as well. Because I guess there were about 900 there but it sounded like they were 20 000. It was insane!

And when I played it was so silent that it was almost scary. And people really focused and payed attention to my songs even though they haven't heard them before, so I was really gratefull for that.

THEN TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS FORTHCOMING ALBUM OF YOURS. WE DO HAVE A SONG OF IT CALLED SPIRITS IN NEED AND IT'S ALREADY IN OUR TOUBORG TOP 40 MEGA ROCK CHART SO PEOPLE CAN VOTE FOR IT BUT IS IT PART OF THIS FORTHCOMING NEW ALBUM?
Yes, it is. It is actually the first single of the new album, the first teaser that I sent out to people.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THE ALBUM. IS IT GOING TO SOUND MORE LIKE THE SONG ITSELF OR THERE'S MORE VARIETY OR WHATEVER?
It's pretty much diversity in it. It is from that kind of sample thing, like that first song, back to what I did on my first album and maybe even more slow and low key, so I guess it goes both ways, and I also have a couple of rock songs, I believe I can call them.

So, it's really diverce and I'm really satisfied with it. You know, actually Vincent Cavana is singing on one of the songs and I also have this very good Norwegian singer called Unni Wilhelmsen on one of the other songs. And it sounds great. I got the master last week and it sounds really good.

WHAT'S THE NAME OF THE ALBUM?
'Clocks Don't Count'!

PETTER CARLSEN at the Bulgaria Hall - 20 November 2010

YOU SHOULD BE SOMEWHERE IN THE EXTREME NORTH OF NORWAY, RIGHT?
Yes, I'm from the very North but right now I'm in the capital Oslo, so I'm a bit further South but I'm comimg home for Christmas.

THERE IS ONE VERY FAMOUS THING ABOUT NORWAY, AND WE ARE ON A METAL SHOW NOW ON THE RADIO, SO IT'S A GOOD QUESTION - BURN YOUR LOCAL CHURCH [laughs]. IS IT STILL ON OUT THERE OR IS IT LEFT IN THE 90's?
I thinks it's in the 90's. I sure hope at this time that it is over. Isn't that rediculous?

WELL, I WILL NEVER TRY TO MOCK YOUR SCANDINAVIAN TRADITIONS, BECAUSE YOU GUYS HAVE BOTH PERSPECTIVE, SO WHAT CAN I SAY?
[laughs] "No comment", I guess.

I AM NOT GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT YOU INFLUENCES, BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THESE KIND OF QUESTIONS STAYED IN THE 90's AS WELL. BUT IT'S INTERESTING TO KNOW WHAT WAS ACTUALLY THE FIRST ALBUM THAT YOU BOUGHT, OR PROBABLY - BECAUSE YOU ARE QUITE A YOUNG FELLOW - FIRST SONG OR ALBUM THAT YOU DOWNLOADED?
I guess... It's kind of quite difficult to remember the first one but I listen to a lot of rock bands like Europe and Twisted Sister and KISS so I guess it has to be one of those bands on cassette.

ON TAPE, REALLY? OH, MAN!
Great times!

OK, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING WITH US! DID YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO LEARN A SINGLE WORD IN BULGARIAN WHILE HERE?
No I didn't. Well I did, actually, but I can't remember it now. It was so many countries, you know. I appologize. Can you teach me one right now?

DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU WANT TO DO...
I want to thank everybody on that gig for being so nice.

IF I TELL YOU SOMETHING THAT WILL LITERALLY TRANSLATE LIKE "BURN YOUR LOCAL CHURCH" IT WILL BE FUN, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO DO IT. THE WORD FOR "TAHNK YOU" IS "БЛАГОДАРЯ".
Blagodarya!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLLYDAYS AND WE'LL TALK TO YOU WHEN THE ALBUM S GOING TO BE RELEASED. I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO GIVE IT A LISTEN HERE ON THE RADIO.
That would be great!

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