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Thomas Dybdahl Q&A: On Signing with Capitol & US Release of 'What's Left Is Forever'

From Norway with love, here comes Thomas Dybdahl. The singer-songwriter (35), dubbed as Norway's Nick Drake, is a success in his homeland and he's managed to build a fan-base in other territories too like Sweden, Denmark, France or the UK.

Thomas' distinctive folk-jazz sound has definitely opened him many doors. The last one, a deal with US label Capitol Records! He got the exciting news earlier in the year. His first major US opportunity came in the soundtrack of Showtime's comedy-drama series 'House of Lies'. The soundtrack featured Thomas Dybdahl's sexy song "This Love Is Here To Stay", and 'House of Lies' producers used the track to be the theme music in a pivotal scene in an episode of the newest season.

Now part of the Capitol family, Thomas is releasing his latest album 'What's Left Is Forever' (#1 in Norway last year) in the US. The album is out TODAY, May 6th. So make sure to grab a copy of this flaw-free piece of folk-jazz music at your local record store or favorite digital store. In it, there are 13 songs that will definitely 'change your life'.

To celebrate the US release of 'What's Left Is Forever', we recently caught up with Thomas Dybdahl for a quick Q&A. We asked him about what the Capitol deal will mean for his music, the sound of his new album, our favorite tune 'This Love Is Here To Stay', the Nick Drake comparisons or what his favorite Norwegian bands are. Read below!

THE INTERVIEW

You recently signed to Capitol Records in the U.S. How does it feel to be part of the Capitol family?

It feels great, there is a lot of history there, I’m always hoping you can contribute to building the legacy.

What does the US deal exactly mean to your European fans? Will you be spending more time in America now and therefore playing fewer concerts in Europe? Or, will you have time to please all?

I think I will have time to please them all really. Definitely spending more time in the US but I don't think it will affect Europe.

Is the deal with Capitol only for releasing 'What's Left is Forever’ in America? Or will your follow-up album be a US first exclusive?

I really don't know yet, I guess we will just have to see what happens with this record. Too early to talk about next. But I'm excited!

You will be promoting the May 6th US release of ‘What's Left is Forever’ with a four-date residency at Hotel Café in L.A. How excited are you, and can fans expect any surprises in these gigs?

I’m very excited and plan to vary the shows a bit. Some will be solo, some maybe trio and some will be band. I will also be playing different songs depending on each night, and maybe some new songs too if I write some nice ones while here.

You have said that recording the album 'What's Left Is Forever' 'has made me a different person'. Why is that?

It was just a very different way of making a record for me. Pretty old school really. The sessions, 5 days of tracking in a big studio, working with a great producer. It was just new and a great learning experience

We know how we would, but how would YOU describe the sound of your latest album?

I wanted to make a pretty straight album really, focused on solid, clear songwriting but bringing arrangement ideas from all the movies I've done the latest few years and trying to make it sound fresh and curious.

The album is co-produced by four-time Grammy winner Larry Klein. How was like working with someone as relevant as Larry in the studio? And, were there any musical differences fights at all?

It was great, I had the opportunity to get to know him a little bit before we went into the studio and we spent a lot of time making sure that we were on the same page as to what we wanted to make before going into the studio.

'What's Left is Forever’ was released last Fall in Norway and it went #1. Now you’re releasing it in the U.S keeping the same track listing. Did you think about including new songs for the American release?

Not really, it's a pretty long album already. I left that decision up to the label and if they wanted to cut some songs they could, but they wanted to go with it as is.

First single of the album is the jazzy and sensual 'This Love Is Here To Stay'. What inspired this song lyrically?

Well, the hook line came to me in a dream, funnily enough. And then I got stuck. I ended up finishing the lyrics and music with Larry and a great guy called David Baerwald. We sort of just agreed that the album didn't need another relationship song, but maybe it could use a song that was mostly about sex.

There’s something about 'This Love Is Here To Stay' that makes me think of Robin Thicke and ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’. Has anyone told you the same before? It isn’t bad thing, right?

(Laughs) I haven't heard that before. Or the recording. But he's a slick one though, pulls it off too.

'This Love Is Here To Stay' was featured on the soundtrack of HBO’s ‘House of Lies'. Were you honored?

Yes, what a great placement it got too in the episode, hot and steamy.

There is a performance video of 'This Love Is Here To Stay' on your VEVO page. Are there plans to shoot a proper music video for the single, though?

No, I don't think so, but you can see the '1 mic 1 take' video shot in Capitol Records studio.

Out of the thirteen tracks on 'What's Left is Forever’, what is the one that has the most special meaning to you, and why?

My favorite, from conception to finished mix, has always been the track called "But We Did". Just the way it came to me, the way we recorded it, the guys I wrote it with and the awesome way it was mixed. It was all just right.

A few have dubbed you as Norway’s Nick Drake. What are your thoughts on the comparisons? And, were you a Nick fan?

I was, and still am. I don't know if i seen the comparison, but it certainly isn't a bad one.

Move on to other topics…

Is being permanently beardless an option for you?

No way, I don't like the person under.

What is your favorite outfit to wear?

I like a good suit

What is your favorite place to just get lost in Norway?

At our summer home on a tiny island in the Fjords. Just fishing, setting crab pots etc. Heaven

What are a few Norway bands/artists that should definitely have recognition outside?

Well there are a few that already are getting attention.

The band Kvelertak is from my town and they are great. There is also a Piano trio called In The Country that are fantastic. And Highasakite are fantastic!

If you could record with any living musician an original duet right now, who would it be, why, and how would the song sound like?

It would have to be Gillian Welch. She is just amazing!! It would sound perfect!

What are Thomas’ Top 5 songs of the moment?

Highasakite - Hiroshima

Local natives - You & i

Tom Waits - Kentucky Avenue

Wilco - Impossible Germany

Highasakite - I, The Handgrenade

Finish the sentence, ‘People need to buy and listen to 'What's Left is Forever’ because…’

I'm pretty sure it will change your life!

Thanks for your time Thomas! Best of luck with the US release and everything. Any last thing you would like to share with our readers at Direct Lyrics?

Thanks for the interview! And to your readers, make sure get my new album 'What's Left Is Forever' now. You'll love it!