Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 3,979 Location: Norway Karma: 52
Re: Martin Kvamme on his way for a chat! « Reply #2 on May 28, 2009, 3:58pm »
Hmm, for a moment I thought there must be something with our coffee – as Martin obviously preferred his cuppa someplace else:
And chatting with a-ha.com instead of a-ha fan café! (Someone stole my idea!) Anyway, read the great interview here.
And, thankfully, he is just running a little late for our meeting… ;-) Nothing wrong with our coffee - I think...? (How do I know - I don't drink coffee!)
Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 3,979 Location: Norway Karma: 52
Re: Martin Kvamme on his way for a chat! « Reply #3 on Jun 3, 2009, 6:49pm »
Here he is!!
- - -
1. Wow – now, that’s quite a mountain – a mountain of what exactly? Dare I say it looks a little like scrap? (Remnants of Magne’s F16 or something!) A scrap-heap!? Foot of the Scrap-heap!? Hehe
Well its a little metal-scrap there, some lava and water (bubbles) beside some abstract clouds.
2. Now, that is a little bold, don’t you think? I mean, I seldom (corrected to ‘never’) use to think of a-ha as anything related to TRASH. However, the fans do in fact suspect a-ha has turned rather environmentally friendly lately, as being into recycling – of songs! - Which makes the cover design look rather hilarious
It has nothing to do with recycling or trash...
3. To clear things up, there are some NEW songs on that album as well, aren’t there? Do you happen to know?
Yes, there are also new songs:-)
4. What is actually in that pile? Metal shapes? Letters? I can see that lava again too (as on the single cover)!! As recognition effect, right?
Its a picture of metal-scrap, yes. + Water, lava and clouds.
5. Here is a question from Summermuse on our forum: This image is very layered. How many different images did you use to create the final one? Is there a particular area the listener should hone in on?
See answer 4.
6. This is a very different cover, I must say, compared to what has been in the past. Actually, quite a bit of an art work! Very clever! Do you feel honoured to be a-ha’s designer?
I don’t know if it’s so clever, but I think its a different expression that the previous a-ha covers.
That was what we wanted, but I’m aware that some hate it as well:-) It’s a good thing that it makes people discuss it.
Yes, I’m honoured to be a-ha’s designer. Who wouldn’t be?:-)
7. It suddenly strikes me: where are the guys? There is no picture of them!!! Why is that? I mean, the guys are still pretty handsome, aren’t they? (Not quite sure why I am asking a guy this). Maybe Morten had a bad hair day the day of the photo shoot or something? hihi
We tried some sketches with the band on the front as well, but this is what we ended up with.
I don’t know if this is the perfect cover, but everyone that was involved in the process likes it, and feel that it works for the album.
If someone has a better idea for a front-cover, just publish it in this thread:-)
8. No, seriously, is this a trend thing? Using an image of the artist on the cover? What are your thoughts on different kinds of cover designs? I have once heard an image of people is easier grabbing attention, and photos of children (babies) are grabbing even the more. When there is no photo of people on this new a-ha album cover at all, then I would think there is a lot more stringer demand for the design, is it? (Of which I personally think you have managed very well – with this layer design – leaving a little up to the individual what to see in there. Making it all in fact interesting.)
This is not the first cover in the history (not even a-ha’s history) that don’t have the artist(s) on the front.
I don’t know if using the band/people is better or not. There are picture of them in the booklet and plenty more on the internet (if you want to know how they look like:-)
9. This is not the first time their album cover is ‘faceless’ though. We have seen it back in time on three albums in a row: Lifelines, Minor Earth Major Sky, and How can I Sleep with your Voice in my Head. Still, I do wonder whether this special design may portray a crossroad of any sort?
Puhh... Sorry, but there is really noting more to say about this...
10. Hey, there is that lava again! This is not just a heap but a volcano? (Am I slow or what?) And, it is alive too! And there - a cloud of smoke and everything!!! So this album is volcanic ROCK is it? hihi I would definitely like to see this album as volcanic eruption! By the way, I have heard, over the grapevine, it is full of hit singles! (Loads of work on you then, Martin!) I can practically see those hits being pumped out of there now, one by one. Covering the other (music)trash (on the market) as a solid layer on top of it all! Now this is beginning to look like a truly promising album!!!! a-ha straight to the top!
It don’t have anything to do with volcano or rocks. Its about nature, the elements etc. It’s not like everything has a obvious meaning, but more an overall feeling. It’s hard to explain, and I wont/cant give more details than that.
And yes there are some great songs that might be released as singles. Hopefully also no.1 singles;-)
11. Is my imagination a little wild? I guess there are many ways to interpret this cover. How would you explain the cover yourself? What are the thoughts behind it?
Norwegian nature, epic, rose painting, collage, and the four natural elements. Also see above...
12. Where does the idea come from? Knowing there are several art artists within the band. Are you given a free hand, or do they have their say?
There are artists in the band, but I guess they want someone else to do it. Good for me:-) I’m not given free hands, but they give a brief/theme/keywords and I tries to come up with something based on that.
13. What does the band think of the final result?
I think they are happy. At leas that is what I’ve heard. They are quite direct in the way they talk, so I guess they are telling the truth:-)
14. Have you ever meet the guys in person? If so, how are they like?
Many times... They are friendly, funny, quite direct. Easy and fun to work with! They are just people, like you and me.
15. Why is cover design so important? And, has it become the less, the same or the more important with digital downloads do you think? What are you thoughts on the future? Will people always like an image related to the product? Will the same requirements to quality and stop effect be demanded, as for physical CD’s exposed in store shelves?
I have quite some thoughts about that, but its a difficult issue. I don’t want to open that vault just now:-). But, I think some artist works as and “physical product” and some don’t... But its not a clear line. I hope we still can buy something physical (at least for the artist you love) some more years. I don’t hate the digital future, and I often buy digital music, but I prefer something physical. I think it’s a little sad for the tactile/visual experience with the music is about to disappear...
16. As having designed a new logo, a single and the album - might there be a new layout for the web site as well? a-ha.com?
I guess so.
16. I can see you are on Twitter! ttp://twitter.com/martinkvamme Might there be more a-ha related updates for us to see on there?
Maybe... I’m not very active (and I don’t put out things before the band wants to), but who knows...
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