A Chat with Real Ones (17.02.23)
For over 25 years, Norwegian band Real Ones have been entertaining audiences across the globe with its inimitable music. From Shangai to Brussels, New York to Mumbai, Real Ones are bringing smiles and joy with their energetic, engaging and infectious sound. We speak with lead vocalist David Vogt about their album Love Your Mother, music videos, greatest achievements and future plans!
OSR: What drew the band together and how did you choose the name Real Ones?
Vogt: We grew up together in a housing coop outside Bergen, Norway. Two of us are brothers, Ivar and David, and the third singer, Jørgen went to the same school where we were taught to sing and play. We formed the Real Ones when we were still in high school. I was 14 at the time.
We started playing Celtic music, especially reels – hence, the name The Reel Ones, which we later changed to Real Ones when we started making our own music.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
Vogt: Music is what the five of us share. We get a real kick every time we play together, especially in concert.
OSR: What can you tell us about the theme or backstory of Love Your Mother?
Vogt: It’s an album about living during an ongoing ecological crisis. It started with the song ‘Love Your Mother’, which is specifically about the Førde Fjord where a mining company is planning to dump toxic waste in the fjord which might kill all the life in it. We’re singing in sympathy with the protesters, as seen in the video for the song.
OSR: A video was created for one of the tracks on the album – ‘The Feeling’. Why did you choose to make the music video?
Vogt: We have actually made a video for all the singles. All of them with a kind of lo-fi, homemade vibe. ‘The Feeling’ video is made from lots of clips of us, our friends and families, and other shots that we found online. The song is about different kinds of injustice – against nature, against animals, wealth inequality – and the video underlines the message.
OSR: What were the most exciting and most challenging things involved in creating Love Your Mother?
Vogt: We recorded mostly live in studio, which can be quite challenging. Everything has to sit for the perfect take. But once it does, it’s worth it.
OSR: What is your greatest achievement?
Vogt: I guess the fact that we have stuck together for close to 30 years making 13 albums. We got the Norwegian Grammy twice which was pretty cool.
OSR: What do you hope people take from your music?
Vogt: Intense pleasure.
OSR: If you had one day to live, what would you do with it?
Vogt: Say goodbye to all my friends and loved ones. And try to finish some songs I am working on. Then probably end with a party.
OSR: What advice do you have for emerging artists?
Vogt: Play live as much as you can. That’s where the real kick is.
OSR: What future plans do you have for Real Ones?
Vogt: We are currently on tour and will be for a while. Then we’re going to start making our 14th album and keep on doing what we do until we can’t anymore.
Many thanks to David Vogt for speaking with us. For more from Real Ones, check out their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
