The dynamic Norwegian duo of Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland (known to the music scene as Royksopp) has done it again. Their third album, "Junior," was released in late March to great critical acclaim. Preceding "Junior" are Royksopp's two other hit albums, 2001's "Melody A.M." and 2005's "The Understanding."
Despite the near double-digit time difference, Brundtland made time to chat with The Vista on where his band is now, where it has been and where it's going. He and Berge met as children, and have "pretty much been friends our whole lives," Brundtland said. The duo started making music around 1998, but didn't officially become Royksopp until 2001.
Brundtland recognizes the name Royksopp "is so over the top, I mean there are two drug references within the name…it's quite ridiculous, really, and that's why it fits. We seem to like things that are over the top."
The two came up with the name a few weeks after a session in the recording studio, when they absently named a semi-distorted bass line for its dramatic quality. "You know, we just needed a name to save the file under," Brundtland said, "so we made up a funny name, and when it came time to name our musical project it came back up. We just thought, 'To hell with it.'"
The name seemed to fit Royksopp's attitude, and despite how difficult it is to pronounce, was soon buzzing all over the music industry.
"An English dude, a critic or something, once told me that it reminded him of some wild, secret, unknown place," Brundtland said. "I thought that was pretty cool, and it's an interesting way to think of our music; as an escape to some unknown place."
Although "Junior" was just released, Brundtland is already amped on their new, and nearly finished project entitled "Senior."
Brundtland promises that this new album will be something different for Royksopp, a change from the synth-heavy electronic music of the group's past.
"This is something we'd like to play some outdoor gigs for, with people sitting on the grass, barbecuing and the like. That's something we dream of," Brundtland said.
But for now, Royksopp will continue playing shows at nightclubs around Europe. For anyone looking for a quick, free taste of Royksopp the duo released a new track titled "Happy Birthday," in celebration of the band's birthday (Dec. 15), available as a free download on their website Royksopp.com. If you like that, consider purchasing "Junior," an album which, according to Billboard, is a "remarkable, energetic masterpiece sure to please the loyal Royksopp fans that might not yet be familiar with the group."
