The Basement Tapes
Prog|Issue 141
Lars Fredrik Frøislie fought off the blues by giving his imagination free rein: he dreamed of the last battle of the Norse gods, a place in the sun, cosmic omens, and the stark beauty of a Norwegian winter. Now Wobbler's mastermind talks to Prog about singing in his native tongue and staying sane with his solo album, Fire Fortellinger.
David West
The Basement Tapes

"That was scary, man. Really," says Lars Fredrik Frøislie. As the keyboard wizard of Norway's brilliant Wobbler, composer for film and TV, and a producer, Frøislie is a seasoned, accomplished musician. But with his solo debut Fire Fortellinger, he not only plays everything but the bass himself, he sings too. "I've only done backing vocals before," says Frøislie. "Just to release a solo album under my name is scary. I had no idea what people would think so it's rather frightening. It's a completely different thing to a band where I'm hiding in the back. Here I am really in the front."

Fire Fortellinger, or 'Four Stories', was born from the restrictions of lockdown. With nowhere to go and temporarily detached from his Wobbler bandmates, Frøislie started making music! his home basement studio. It was, he says, "to keep my sanity." Working alone was a contrast to Wobbler's creative process, but that's what Frøislie wanted.

"In a band it's very democratic," he says, "and for the last three albums, we've jammed and worked off each other. You present one riff and then another... how about this? And it can take forever, for good or bad, but on this solo project, I wanted to make it spontaneously and quickly, not ponder too much, just go with my gut feelings." Initially, Frøislie started with no greater intent than to put down some ideas he could develop at a later date.

Bu hikaye Prog dergisinin Issue 141 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Prog dergisinin Issue 141 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

PROG DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Apollo Has Fallen
Prog

Apollo Has Fallen

In the aftermath of Sons Of Apollo, band alumni Derek Sherinian and Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal have regrouped for new sonic adventures in Whom Gods Destroy. Now the ice has finally melted, the new line-up are ready to take over the world with the ambitious Insanium. Prog caught up with Sherinian to find out more.

time-read
7 dak  |
Issue 150
S*A*S*
Prog

S*A*S*

In 2022, 3's Robert Berry, Saga's Ian Crichton and Saxon drummer Nigel Glockler released their debut as Six By Six. But have the prog supergroup been able to recapture that magic on the highly anticipated follow-up, Beyond Shadowland? Prog caught up with Berry to discuss the challenges, inspirational artwork and orchestral arrangements that lie behind their \"difficult\" second album.

time-read
8 dak  |
Issue 150
Far From Normal
Prog

Far From Normal

Is Nick Beggs an alien? Is he even a prog musician? And can you train a dog with a didgeridoo? All these questions and more will be answered as Prog peeks under the hood of Trifecta's The New Normal, an album that reunites Beggs with fellow virtuosos Adam Holzman and Craig Blundell. Just don't ask what his wife thinks of it.

time-read
7 dak  |
Issue 150
Shifting Gear
Prog

Shifting Gear

In the two years since Resident Human, Wheel have undergone internal changes that very nearly destroyed them. But fortunately the Finnish-Anglo band have bounced back with the more experimental Charismatic Leaders. Singer and guitarist James Lascelles reveals the challenges behind creating their third studio album, how Meshuggah's \"best amp\" helped them, and why they just can't shake off those Tool comparisons.

time-read
7 dak  |
Issue 150
Lone Star
Prog

Lone Star

On The Tangent’s 14th album, To Follow Polaris, Andy Tillison has embarked on a “one-off” solo adventure that tackles self-doubt and finds him going on a quest for The Truth. Prog catches up with the multi-instrumentalist as he ponders whether we’re better off without the internet and finds out why he still remains optimistic in a world full of turmoil.

time-read
7 dak  |
Issue 150
Where Words Are Not (Always) Needed
Prog

Where Words Are Not (Always) Needed

[Mostly] without lyrics to underscore their song's meanings, post-rock trio Sleepmakeswaves have learnt to find the beauty in the \"translational chasm\" that exists between artist and listener. They've poured themselves into their fifth album, It's Here, But I Have No Names For It, and now they're excited for their fans to find themselves, and not its creators, reflected in its music. Prog caught up with the band to find out more.

time-read
5 dak  |
Issue 150
A Traveller Of Time And Space
Prog

A Traveller Of Time And Space

The good rocketship Hawkwind have launched their 36th studio album into the progosphere! On Stories From Time And Space, the group have lost none of their sense of injustice about the world. Bandleader Dave Brock reveals the drive behind their new music, why he's continuing to fight for an alternative society and responds to recent concerns about his health.

time-read
7 dak  |
Issue 150
Soul Trader
Prog

Soul Trader

It's been a long time coming, but Oliver Wakeman is back with a new solo album. With contributions from Nightwish's Troy Donockley, vocalist Hayley Griffiths, and Pendragon drummer Scott Higham, Anam Cara is a celtic-flavoured melting pot of delight. The keyboardist discusses the good stories and wonderful musicians that make up a record he hopes will capture the listener's imagination.

time-read
5 dak  |
Issue 150
"Like having a brick wall coming at you!"
Prog

"Like having a brick wall coming at you!"

In 1974, King Crimson released one of their most underrated, at the time, albums. Red, created by the powerhouse trio Robert Fripp, John Wetton and Bill Bruford, didn't even reach the UK Top 40 and yet it's now regarded by many as a key work - not only in Crimson's back catalogue but also as a foundation stone in what would later become known as progressive metal. On its 50th anniversary, Crimson's alumni discuss the allure of an album that's reduced some adults to tears.

time-read
10+ dak  |
Issue 150
The Beat Goes On
Prog

The Beat Goes On

There's a new King Crimson side-project in town, and this one focuses solely on the 80s incarnation of the group. BEAT finds Adrian Belew and Tony Levin reconnecting for a very special North American tour this autumn with guitar god Steve Vai and Tool drummer Danny Carey. Prog catches up with Levin and Belew to find out more.

time-read
8 dak  |
Issue 150