Jazz musician Siril Malmedal Hauge's new solo project draws inspiration from folk, jazz and pop music. The album Uncharted Territory was released on February 1. “I could sing before I could talk,” she says.
/ 15/02/2019 / Kristian DugstadName: Siril Malmedal Hauge
Age: 26
Current with: New album "Uncharted Territory"
TONO member since: 2013
Photo: Evelyn Lee.
What is your musical background?
I grew up in a musical family in a musical village, Langevåg in Sula, and sang before I could talk. I started taking piano lessons when I was 8 years old, and played the flute in a choir from the age of 10. Later, I studied music in Ålesund with vocals as an instrument, the jazz course at Sund Folk High School and then the jazz course at NTNU in Trondheim. I have always liked to continue with music. In different forms, on several instruments and in different projects.
What was the name of the first song you ever wrote, and what was it about?
The first song I wrote was called "Pitten, pitten, pitten". "Pitten" means "the fish", and was about a plastic fish I was given to keep in the bathtub when I was little. I could sing before I could talk properly. I think that must have been my very first song.
How do you work today? How does your music come about?
I often go through ideas. Some quickly become more than an idea, with structure and form, while others can last a long time before they are eventually used for anything. I am a big fan of recorders, and always have one on my bedside table. I regularly listen to recordings, where things that I can think of using may appear. I like writing music to a resonant sound, and do a lot of it using either piano, voice or other instruments. It often starts with improvisation, before it eventually becomes something more solid.
How did the artist Siril come about?
Aside from a short period in childhood (when I wanted to be a "dog sitter"), I have always thought I would become a musician.
Tell us about your latest release?
I wrote the music for "Uncharted Territory" in the fall of 2016. I wanted to write new music for the ensemble that is on the album. The title is about entering into something new. For example, for the first time I launched a project under my own name, with my own music and lyrics, and also did the production in the studio. The musicians are Torgeir Standal - guitar, Kjetil Mulelid - piano, Martin Myhre Olsen - sax, Martin Morland - bass, Henrik Lødøen - drums, Kaja Pettersen - cello, Isa Carline Holmesland - viola and Adrian Waade - violin who have managed the music, added their voices, and lifted it to new heights. The album was recorded on tape at Athletic Sound Studio in Halden, with technician Dag Erik Johansen. It was released on the record label Jazzland Recordings on February 1. I have been working on this production for a long time, and I am very much looking forward to playing concerts with that band in the future.
What are you working on now? What does 2019 bring for you?
Right now I'm mostly working on my solo project. I have some plans for 2019 for that, and I'm writing new music. We're also going to tour with the project, and I'm looking forward to playing more with it in the future.
What is your career highlight so far?
I would say it's a sum of many different highlights. 2018 was a fantastic year for me in many ways, and I got to do an incredible amount of great things. I was involved in album releases with 6 different projects, and played a lot of great concerts.
2019 has also had a great start, and my album has received a lot of great feedback. It's really great!
Do you have an instrument or other equipment that is indispensable in the writing process?
The piano has often been my constant companion in composing. And the recorder.
What do you do when you're not making music?
I like being out in nature, or cooking. Preferably with people I like. Then I have a good time.
What is your greatest musical experience?
I would like to highlight Molde Jazz Festival as an important provider of many great musical experiences for me throughout my childhood. I have been to the festival almost every year since I was little, and played in the parade band during the festival. Which meant that I often had a festival pass all week and could go to as many concerts as I could. It was an Eldorado there, both at the concert, before/after concerts, jams and meetings with people.
Is there anything we should have asked you about?
Do you have a music tip?
And what is the answer to that question?
Emilie Storaas – Slow Girl