Jan Omdahl answers questions from the fans

The author of the forthcoming a-ha book, The Swing of Things, answers the questions you have sent him about the book. First, to answer the most commonly asked question: Yes, the book will be released in English. More information about this will be published on a-ha.com soon. Read Jan Omdahl’s comments here.

What was the thing that surprised you most when you were researching this book?

The book is full of surprises! But I won’t spoil them by telling you here. Read the book!:-) For me personally, it was more a sense of relief that Paul, Magne and Morten opened up like I hoped they would.

Now that the book is complete, are there any subjects you wish you could go back and add or expound upon? (Maybe preparing for the sequel? )

Right now I’m just damned happy to be finished. Phew. Sequel? You gotta be kidding

What is your favorite chapter?

The one that deals the most with the social chemistry between the three of them. It’s called «En ustabil reaktor» («An unstable reactor»).

How did you prepare for this project? (For example, did you watch old interviews from TV or read old newspapers, or did you start somewhere else, like on the internet or with fans?)

I watched a lot of Marx Brothers movies.

Could you find an adjective to define Morten Harket, Magne Furuholmen and Paul Waaktaar Savoy?

To quote from the book: Paul is demanding in an asocial way, Magne is demanding in a social way, and Morten is socially demanding.

If during the interviews you had the possibility to visit Paul, Morten and Magne’s houses, from what of these had you been more impressed and why?

Paul and Lauren’s homes are spotless, well designed, very New York. Magne and Heidi’s house is very nice and on an amazing property by the sea, with the same 80s furniture it had when they bought it. Morten and Anne Mette’s apartment is a bit like a baroque jungle with aquariums, orchids, stuffed animals etc. Very much a nature-boy’s cave. His studio-apartment, on the other hand, is spotless and designed and built by Morten to the last detail.

Now you’ve completed this book, what do you think about the “world of music” ?

Well, Art is Art, isn’t it? Still, on the other hand, water is water. And east is east and west is west and if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does. Now you tell me what you know. (Groucho Marx)

Are you a fan of a-ha music and how long have you been their friend?

I love a lot of their music and have huge respect for them as artists and what they have accomplished. But I am not a fan as such. I’ve known them since I made my first interview with them in 1985.

What was the most difficult thing to write in the book?

To paint a fair picture and get the balance right between the three of them when describing the conflicts and power games. Biiig diplomatic job, let me tell you.

How many people did a-ha play for, during the big tour of South America in 1991? On the back cover of the Live in South America video, it says over 3 million……………….. Is this really true?

If it says so, I’m sure it’s true.

Is it true that the concert arena in Rio de Janeiro in 1989 was “invaded” by a larger audience than anticipated?

Well, from where I was standing, it sure looked pretty crowded…

How many people have a-ha played for over the years?

Nobody knows for sure. But in the book you’ll find a list of every concert they ever played.

Have a-ha received any comments on their music from their more famous colleagues in the business? I know Coldplay, Keane and U2 and Sarah Brightman have commented on their music… Anyone else you know of? Any comment you want to share?

You’ll find a bunch of quotes from their peers in the book. A short teaser from Robbie Williams: «a-ha… they’re fucking great!»

When did the idea come about to write a book?

Two years ago, or thereabouts.

Was it your idea, or was the idea presented to you, as knowing the band over such a length of time in their career?

I was tricked into doing it by the publisher and the band.

How long did the project take, including research, travel, interviews, photos, writing, and production?

A LOT of time! So please buy the book with extra copies for all your friends….

What part of the project did you enjoy the most? What part presented the biggest challenge, and why?

Well, going on tour was fun. But apart from that, I just enjoyed getting to know them better. Whenever I sat down with one of them, they would always have a guitar nearby, and they would play me new, unfinished material. Those were always special, intimate moments. The worst: Listening to endless MiniDisc tapes of my interviews with the guys, and then trying to edit all the quotes (and boy, do they talk!) into a coherent story. The biggest challenge: Trying to make it a darker and truer story, while still making it a celebration.

Was it difficult to find information on any particular topic?

Money, because they don’t like to discuss it. Sex, drugs and rock’n'roll, because there was very little of it.

Did you accompany the band on tour, and where?

Several times in the 80s, including Brazil ’89. And then a few gigs in Austria and Germany in 2002, plus Russia last year.

Some fans have mentioned speaking to someone writing a book about a-ha. Did you interview any fans ‘formally,’ or did you gather many comments along the way? To what extent are fans discussed in the book, and do you feel their perspective is an important part of the story?

I spoke to fans informally, e-mailed with some of you and checked out a lot of the web sites. The fans are an important part of the story. A chapter in the book is dedicated to the fans/fame-issue. But mostly from Paul, Morten and Magne’s point of view, I’m afraid….

Do you like a-ha’s music yourself? What interested you in the topic – a personal tie, a professional goal, a creative opportunity?

All of the above.

What was the strangest or most interesting thing you learned during this project?  What would surprise the public to know?

I don’t want to spoil the surprise – buy the book! OK, one thing: That Magne has webbed toes.

Have you written any books about other bands?  Are you involved in the music industry?

No. But I’ve been writing about music for ages. I started out as a rock writer just when a-ha moved to London, in 1983.

Were the band members accessible during the project?  To what extent were they involved in the outline and concept for the book?

Since they had agreed to do the book, they were reasonably cooperative when I got them to sit down with me. But getting to that point wasn’t always easy. Magne and I did a lot of work by late-night chatting on the internet.  The concept is mine and the publisher’s. All the band knew was that I wanted to write a psychological portrait, not a traditional chronological bio.

Have Morten, Magne and Paul read the book, and what were their reactions to the end result?

Yes, they have read it. So far they’ve been quite nice to me about it. But then, the book isn’t even out yet. For all I know, they won’t speak to me for the next seven years.

Looking back, was there anything not covered that you now wish you had included?

I’m sure you guys will let me know…