Like a musical magician, Mats Lie Skåre constantly pulls new golden-edged hits out of his hat, scattering them across charts in country after country.
/ 11/04/2014 / codex Name: Mats Lie Skåre
Age: 32
Residence: Oslo
Wrote songs for: Tone Damli, Maria Mena, Truls
TONO member since: 2005
Which of your songs is the most famous?
In Norway it would have to be "Glir Forbi" with Jaa9&OnklP or "Out Of Yourself" with Truls.
Which song are you most proud of?
"I Got This" with Jennifer Hudson. It represents a lot of what I stand for musically. This was my first collaboration with Stargate, my first Billboard charting and my first gold record from America. In addition, Clive Davis was the executive producer on the album and personally approved the song.
Do you write with others?
I travel to Tokyo 2-3 times a year and am part of a team consisting of Japanese topliners, producers and A&R's. Together we have sold more than 6 million singles, records and DVD's in the Asian market. I also travel to New York, LA and Stockholm, and write with other producers and melody makers there. Here at home I work a lot alone, mainly to prepare for these trips. Otherwise I have more of a producer role in Norway, and write mostly with the artists I have to work with.
Tono is a collaborator I would never be without.
How do you proceed when writing songs?
Very often I start with a track. A drum pattern, a chord progression, a guitar riff or a mood. As it develops, I have to decide which direction it should take. If I make a track for the Japanese market, I have to take into account certain rules in terms of arrangement and structure. If it goes in the direction of a rap beat, it's mostly about finding the right vibe, making sure the drums hit hard enough, and that there's enough space for the vocals. When it comes to lyrics and melody, I like to write this with others. Then several ideas are thrown around, and together you find what works best.
Any words about your musical background?
I started playing classical guitar when I was 7 years old, and got some basic sheet music training. In the 4th grade we started a rock band, and then moved on to jazz and funk. 10 years ago I tried my hand at being an R&B artist myself, but quickly found out that I was more comfortable in the studio than on stage. I ended up as a producer and writer in the urban part of pop music.
Is there any song you wish you had written?
"Overjoyed" by Stevie Wonder.
What projects are you working on now?
I'm working on new material that will be included in the co-writes this winter. In addition, I'm doing some productions here and there with Norwegian artists that will see the light of day next year.
Do you have any advice for other songwriters?
Find out what you're good at, get better. Collaborate with others. The whole is much greater than the parts. Showcase your music, and accept feedback. Cultivate your own musical expression. Trends come and go. If you copy something you hear on the radio today, that sound will be outdated tomorrow.
Why are you a member of TONO?
Tono is a partner I would never have been without. Together with Warner/Chappell, they keep track of the cash flow and make sure all the songs are registered correctly.
iTunes:
Jaa9 & Onklp, Glides By: https://itunes.apple.com/no/album/glir-forbi/id330197030?i=330197109&l=nb
Truls, Out of Yourself: https://itunes.apple.com/no/album/out-of-yourself/id693365750?i=693365758&l=nb
Jennifer Hudson, I Got This: https://itunes.apple.com/no/album/i-got-this/id427259422?i=427259426&l=nb
Wimp:
Jaa9 & Onklp, Glides By: http://wimp.no/track/2926394
Truls, Out of Yourself: http://wimp.no/track/22759054
Jennifer Hudson, I Got This: http://wimp.no/track/6180867
Beat.no:
Jaa9 & Onklp, Glides By: https://beat.no/album/Jaa9%2B%2526%2BOnklP_Glir%2BForbi_655639
Truls, Out of Yourself: https://beat.no/#!/album/Truls_Out%252BOf%252BYourself_102124008
Jennifer Hudson, I Got This (Track 2): https://beat.no/#!/album/Jennifer%252BHudson_I%252BRemember%252BMe_677189
Spotify:
Jaa9 & Onklp – Glides Past
Truls – Out Of Yourself
Jennifer Hudson - I Got This
Youtube:
Jaa9 & Onklp, Glides By: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyNR8iBVe4c
Truls, Out of Yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tb42dgSG1o8
Jennifer Hudson, I Got This: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry9OQxAHnaU
The article is taken from TONO-Nytt no.2-2013, published in week 50/2013.
Photo: Tommy Friestad