Sivert Høyem – Long Slow Distance

The 4^th studio release from Sivert Høyem is titled Long Slow Distance. The album, scheduled for release on 16^th September, is the most experimental body of work from Høyem to date.

- This album is probably more representative of me as a person than anything I’ve ever done before.

Long Slow Distance marks a new chapter in the musical evolution of Sivert Høyem.
- My solo material has previously been more inspired by folk music and Americana, whereas the Madrugada sound was bigger and more melodramatic. This time I wanted to stake out a new direction for myself, and this album is the most experimental work I’ve done to date, Høyem explains.

Sivert and his long time guitarist Cato Salsa -  who have been working together closely from start to finish on the new album –  have been inspired by several new directions, such as 90’s black metal, industrial noise, krautrock and French pop. The presence of synths on nearly all of the tracks is also something new.

- Cato has been approaching my musical universe, while expanding it and contributing with elements from his side as well. The new material reflects those experiences we have acquired on the road, and the music we have been enjoying the most to play whilst being out there. In hindsight, I see that it’s darker, more dynamic and dramatic. My next move always seems to be a reaction of what I’ve done previously, Høyem says.

Thematically, it may be described as brutal honesty.

- Lot of things needed to come out this time. I find it impossible to not bring in the experiences from my own life into the music I make. This is considerate and honest music, he further explains

Long Slow Distance may be described as a Norwegian album in all senses, and Høyem likes to think of it as an “Oslo-album”. In addition to his band (Cato Salsa, Christer Knutsen, Rune Nikolaisen, Børge Fjordheim), the album also features contributions from co-producer Bjarne Stensli, Anne Lise Frøkedal (Harrys Gym) and Ådne Meisfjord (120 Days).

- First of all, the entire album has been done in Norway, and I’ve mostly been working at Harrys Gym’s studio in Oslo. Even though I sing in English on the album, I do feel that the album has a Norwegian identity. Secondly, I perceive the album to have a desolate, arctic vibe in addition to a mood that might be described as both urban and nature-mystic at the same time. In other words, I find it to be music that suits pulsating cities and timeless country sides evenly. , Further, the album has a rich and powerful expression, Høyem further explains.

Sivert and co-producer Bjarne Stensli have had intentions of working together for a long time, something that both are happy to finally have achieved.

- Bjarne is the man behind a lot of those things I find most interesting within more recent, Norwegian rock, and I’m a huge fan of his band too.

The only non-Norwegian contributor on Long Slow Distance is an artist that Høyem regards highly personally – Renate Knaup from the legendary German rock band Amon Düül II.

- Having Renate on the album means a lot to me. There aren’t many guests on this album, however those who have contributed plays an important and integral part of the puzzle.

Litterature and art are important sources of inspirations for Sivert, and the music is often anchored in moods from poetry and visual art. The album is filled with both dark, massive sounds, as well as naked, haunted ballads – epic climaxes and deep valleys of dark moods.

- I find it important to perform both the hard and soft sides of my music with the same sense of sincerity.

Høyem enjoys communicating directly with fans through social medias, and believe fans will appreciate Long Slow Distance. 

- I feel close to those who appreciate my music, and I do believe that I’ve made an album they will enjoy. There will be some surprises; however I have a feeling that you can do a lot of weird things today as an artist. People are listening to so many kinds of music these days.

Sivert will be touring extensively after the album release, first a Norwegian tour – then a string of dates across some of Europe’s biggest cities.

- It’s on the road that you ultimately discover what kind of album you’ve actually have created. We have been testing some of the material live already and the feedback has been beyond expectations. It’s a good feeling that all members in the band truly have passion for this project.