Self-styled beauty

The "Colour Your Life: European Jazz" series continues next weekend, with the return to Thailand of sexy Danish jazz vocalist Malene Mortensen.

Making a name for herself at age 19 when she won the Danish Eurovision contest, the Scandinavian vocalist went on to master a style of rich jazzy melodies with a fine-tuned ear for innovation. She was awarded the Django D'or Prize for Best Young Jazz Musician of the Year in 2005.

For her Thailand gigs, she will be backed by the Kasper Villaume Trio, which won the Danish Music Award for best CD in 2005. They will bring a classy style that will balance brilliantly with Mortensen's honeyed voice.

With her latest self-titled album recently released, the singer is ready to take the stage.

Mortensen was among the headliners at the 2006 Hua Hin Jazz Festival. For this trip, Mortensen performs in Bangkok and on Koh Samui. Ahead of her trip to Thailand, Mortensen took time to talk with Weekend.

What are you up to now?

I am doing my first Christmas record. It is very enjoyable to sing those songs that we sometimes sing round the Christmas tree. It has been great to have a long holiday. That gives me the energy that is needed for this upcoming year.

How's the feedback for your album?

I think my new album is going pretty well. I got some pretty good reviews. But sometimes they weren't that good. The reason, I think, is that the music is either too pop like or it's too jazzy. The critics, after my experience, mainly want albums with one direction, and I am moving around in different genres .

Why did you name the album "Malene"?

Malene is my name, it's simple and I couldn't come up with anything better. I think it's cool.

What is the music like in this album?

The music is original songs, old and new songs. It is a mix of pop ballads, some up-tempo songs. Especially "Temptation". It has some drum 'n' bass flavours in it. The first one is four years old and I had a different age than I have now. What can I say? It is different in the instrumentation. On this album I have strings and saxophone and guitars. I didn't have that on the first one. The songs are different, written by other musicians.

How many songs did you write?

Seven songs are originals. Two of them, "Temptation", and "Where Would I Be Without You", are songs I did on my own. The rest are songs I co-wrote. Magnus Hjorht, my boyfriend, we write many songs together. We wrote "November Came", "Empty Skies" and "Morning Sun and Velvet Moon".  They are about people that disappoint you in your life, that it can be very hard to give in to a new person after you have been deceived earlier in your life, about forbidden thoughts and needs, like being untrue, about love and simple things in life.

Where do you get the inspiration?

I take inspiration in my own life and my own experiences, and then Itry to make lyrics that make the emotions general instead of being my own personal feelings. I try to work with others when I do lyrics.

What was it like working with [bassist and producer] Chris Minh Doky?

It was cool. He is a kind man, and I am so glad that he likes my songs and that he felt he could produce them.

How did the collaboration with Kasper come up?

It started when I was singing with him on the Miden festival in Cannes in 2004. Peter Littauer from Stunt [Records] was there and heard me sing, and sometime later, he asked me if I wanted to do a record with Kasper Villaume. He was great to work with. Most of the time he was open to my ideas of the songs, and I liked the sound of him and Morten Lund together.

You will have two shows in Bangkok and Samui. How does that make you feel?

It makes me feel happy. It is my third time in Thailand, and I am so thrilled that I really am starting to come there often.

What will the shows be like?

It will be different in the way the group is put together. The bass player Petter Eldh from Sweden and Snorre Kirk on drums from Norway are the new members in my band. The piano player in the band is my boyfriend Magnus. In Thailand Petter, Snorre and Kasper will be playing Kasper's songs and some of mine. Danish saxophone player Jacob Dinesen also will be playing as a guest soloist.

What will your workshop be like?

Well, it depends on what they want us to do. I could imagine that we talk about how we write songs, how to improvise and what elements we use and stuff like that.

What songs will you be singing?

I haven't decided yet. I never decide what songs to sing until the same day. But of course we have to plan it now, because it is with Kasper and I don't play with him that often. But in my own band I want to have so many songs that we all know by heart so we just can choose what we like on the concerts. Then we won't get bored.

Who takes care of your looks and costumes when you're on tour?

Me. It is very costly in Denmark to have a stylist taking care of your image. That would be great, but I don't have that, yet.

You appear to be sexier for this album. What are you trying to convey?

I think it is cool to be sexy. It is okay and everybody knows that it sells, so why not use it?

What's your impression of Thailand and the Thai fans?

I love Thailand and the people. Every time we have been there, people have been so kind to us. The Thai fans are amazing. I haven't experienced people so intense as they are in Thailand. The way they really listen to the music and how I can sense that they appreciate it. I love Thailand because it is so hot. It feels so good to be there. This time, I think we have a lot of free time to see things. We haven't got the finished schedule yet, but we will have time to travel.

After Thailand, what's your next move?

I am working on my next album. I write songs alone and with Magnus and we have many gigs coming up that will give us the opportunity to get into the new songs. It will be released in spring 2008.

Please say something to your fans here.

I care about you so much, and I am looking forward to seeing you soon in Thailand. I wish you all the best. n

The concerts by Malene Mortensen and the Kasper Villaume Trio are the second in the Colour Your Life: European Jazz series, which kicked off in June with Danish vocalist Katrine Madsen. The series is organised by Nation Multimedia and Hitman Jazz. Upcoming acts include the Extreme Trio from Germany and Danish a capella singer Bennie Chawes. For more details, see hitmanjazz.com.

The Colour Your Life: European Jazz series continues with a performance by Malene Mortensen and the Kasper Villaume Trio at 7pm on  September 2 at the Thailand Cultural Centre (MRT: Thailand Cultural Centre) and on September 4 at Bandara Resort and Spa on Koh Samui. Tickets for the Bangkok show are priced from Bt1,000 to Bt3,000 (including a special edition European jazz CD). Student tickets are Bt300, available at Thaiticketmajor. Tickets for the Samui show are Bt1,000 inclusive of a light drink and dinner. Bandara Resort has joined with Anatara Hotel and Boat House to host the party, which kicks off at 6pm at the pool of Bandara, where the artists will entertain guests during drinks. Dinner will be served at 7pm, and then there will be more music after dessert. A workshop will be held from 5 to 6pm on September 1 at Overture on Royal City Avenue. For more details on the Samui show, call (02) 340 1575 or (077) 245 795 or e-mail info@bandararesort.com.

Manta Klangboonkrong