Ian Bel - Interview

Having grown up on a tiny farm not far from Oslo, Ian claims to have begun making music “at the height of 100 cm”, which not only gives a clear indication that he‘s been doing this for some time, but also gives you an insight to the nice sense of humour he has too. When we were talking to Ian we were very much struck by his professional attitude, and a genuine passion for music and everything else he gets involved in, and given he is very multi talented, he has a lot to keep him very busy! After his impressive set we quickly nabbed Ian for a chat...

You go by the name “Ian Bel", can you tell us how and why you chose that as your stage name?

It’s actually a shortened version of my real name Kristian Abel, and as the Norwegians are so few, it’s needed to go to bigger music scenes, and Ian Bel has a good vibe ;)

When we were listening to your great performance in Leicester, it reminded us very much of Morten Harket, Bryan Ferry and Depeche Mode, which is pretty impressive! Can you tell us who inspired you when you were younger to become a singer / songwriter, and who you‘re influences are now?

First of all…I’m very glad you liked it. My influences are good music in all kinds of music-styles. White Stripes, The Killers, Band of horses, Elbow, Wolfmother are a few great bands…

In my early years I listened to stuff like Bauhaus, Sisters of Mercy, Bowie, 999 among many others..

Given your father Ole Bull is a well known and respected Violinist, was he supportive of you in also choosing to pursue a musical career?

If my father was to be Ole Bull, I would have been very old ;)

We are related echoing down the family bloodline… But he was the actual first punk violinist…

(At this point I have to apologise to Ian, because my usual decent research has let me down, but in answering the question, Ian takes everything in his good natured unflappable stride).

It seems quite tough for Norwegian acts to actually make it in Norway, with acts such as A-ha, Ane Brun and Kurt Nilsen having to get commercial success elsewhere, ending up with them making a commercial success in other countries before returning home. Why do you think that‘s the case?

As I mentioned before, Norway is a small country, and the music industry have a tendency to go for the well promoted bands from USA, UK and other countries…

And those in charge of the industry are also just a small amount of people…and if you don’t fit in, you have nowhere else to go…

You took part in “a 2008 charity concert for Africa inspired by the UN Millennium Development goals", could you tell us how you came to be involved in that, and how was that for you?

I’m a charity kind of guy…if I can afford it, so I really love working for better conditions for those who need it…

Fake Factory is about “the biggest factory media house in the world", run by the son of Lucifer, Felix, and it‘s from there politicans etc essentially come from. What sparked the writing of the material for that album?

Fake Factory is not just the album, it’s followed by a selfpenned book by the same title, published in Norway… (so far only in Norwegian)

Felix, the son of Lucifer, Angelic, his sister and Agor, the opposite force, are the main characters in both the book and the album. They reflect society today where we are too much into the appearance and money, forgetting who we really are.

What for you so far have been the personal highs of your career, and what are your aspirations given that you seem to have many talents not just in music but also in being an author too?

My highs are when I create the music and writings…then I disappear completely into another dimension.

I’m kind of born this way, I need to write music and stories, if not I will explode ;)

The music industry it seems will increasingly have to change it‘s game plan given the ability for bands to promote and sell their own material on the Internet, seemingly bypassing the old model of getting record contracts. Do you think there is a risk of those record labels losing their power on the industry, and do you think there‘s a danger that with so many artists being accesible that it has actually become a little harder to standout from the crowd?

I think that everybody deserves a chance…the internet has great potential for that. The music industry has already started to change by streaming, online sales and others…I think the industry is changing towards more concerts and similar activities. They still have the power to connect with other parts of the industry, regarding papers, radio, festivals and other. So I guess they’re still needed…

Takk for tiden din Ian!

We certainly hope to see Ian return to the UK at some point, and look forward to catching him again when he‘s on tour.

If you want to know more about Ian, you can find his facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/ianbelmusic