Born, raised and based in Denmark, Jesper Ejrup’s musical activities are obviously most prolific on home soil, but the tall, blonde and charming singer-songwriter is just as regular a face on the Maltese live circuit as he is back home.
I like to travel and share my music with new people in different countries
A born performer, a pure music-lover and a dream-seeker by his own admission, Ejrup has been to Malta so many times in recent years he’s starting to pick up a few Maltese words, not to mention a growing circle of friends within the local music scene.
“I like to travel and share my music with new people in different countries; the vibe in Malta is great and the people are super cool,” he says asked what it is that keeps him coming back.
There is, of course, a musical connection too, and it is thanks to Ejrup’s interest in our local scene that countless Maltese bands – among them NoSnow/NoAlps, Cable35, Red Electrick and For Strings Inn – have had the opportunity to perform in Denmark.
“The musical standard here is as high as in other countries. I believe there are even a few Maltese bands that would probably do quite well at an international level.”
This he puts down to the Maltese musicians being dedicated, focused and hard-working, characteristics one could easily also apply to the Danish artist himself, since his whole life practically revolves around music.
He only recently finished a European tour – supported by our very own NoSnow/NoAlps – to promote his debut solo album Love.
Released a few months back in his homeland, on Friday Ejrup will be officially launching the album in Malta, his ‘home from home’.
This album has been a while in the making. What were the main inspirations behind it?
The album is the result of many ideas I’ve been running around with in my head for the past two years. Its realisation is basically thanks to a producer who also happens to be an old friend of mine. He heard me singing backing vocals in a band and encouraged me to do my own thing. To me, writing songs is the same as sharing something intimate, something true. Everything I write has to mean something.
I find I write my best songs when I’m experiencing strong emotions, which are then expressed in the music. When I’m feeling frustrated for example, I tend to apply more distortion and play loud. If I’m feeling down or sad, I usually come up with gentle melodies that build up gradually thanks to my soft sounding Fender Strat.
Music has always been my way out of frustration. Playing simply calms me and makes me happy…
Are there any songs on the album closer to your heart than others?
One of my favourites is Sebastian. I was in New York, where I found out that a good friend of mine had died. His name was Sebastian, and the night I was told the sad news, I wrote a song for him that celebrates life.
It is important to live every day with an open mind without forgetting there is also a tomorrow around the corner.Another song close to my heart is Don’t Leave. It’s a true story about this amazing girl I met and fell totally in love with, to the pointthat I could not imagine livingwithout her.
Holding On To You was written in Malta, precisely in (NoSnow/ NoAlps frontman) Nick Morales’s garden. It’s got an R’n’B feel, which comes from my teenage years listening to artists like Ray Charles and later, through some amazing music teachers, The Meters and Stevie Wonder.
I also listened to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix a lot, spending my time playing guitar while my friends were out playing football. I have many diverse influences, and my producer has boiled all my crazy ideas down into a poppy funk record I’m very pleased with.
You recently worked with local singer Talitha on the song Tell Me Why. How did this collaboration come about, and do you have plans to work with other Maltese artists?
I’ve been looking to work with Maltese artists for a long time. When I met Talitha we clicked instantly.
She’s very talented and I enjoyed working with her.
We sat down and jammed around with some ideas. Talitha is into rock, and while she wanted the song to be catchy, she definitely didn’t want it to be too pop.
I came up with a killer riff, a few bars and within an hour, we had the song. I asked her to take it home and tweak the lyrics to give them her own ‘feel’.
I took the tracks back home to record my vocals and the guitar solo she insisted on having. Talitha will be performing the song with me at the album launch.
I’m currently also working closely with NoSnow/NoAlps and we have a lot of plans.
Given you visit Malta quite frequently, what’s your perspective of the local music scene?
The standard here is quite high, and there are some bands that could possibly do well at an international level too. I have no doubt it’s because of the hard work the bands put in that has helped the scene and the standard grow.
I’m also impressed with the great music videos bands release here; I recently shot the video for my new single with No Sweat Productions in Malta.
On the down side, I think there are still a lot of covers being played at gigs. Bands should concentrate more on original stuff.
Bands and artists like Red Electrick, Carrie Haber and NoSnow/NoAlps, for example, are proof that hard work, great music and talent can take you places.
I first got involved in the Maltese music scene eight years ago when I met Nick (Morales) and I’m proud to be a part of it.
What was it like shooting the music video in Malta?
It was crazy; Morales and I had been talking about it for years, but were always too busy. Luckily, touring together gave us time to plan the script, which is based around an idea I came up with in Paris.
The whole experience – three days of filming with some help from Sarah (Snow, of NoSnow/NoAlps) was great fun. Holding On To You is a love song, but we didn’t want the video to be predictable, so we really thought out of the box. It’s to do with being alone in the world but still fighting to be a part of it. Morales is a professional. He knows exactly when the shoot is looking great and has lots of great ideas.
Anything else you’d like to share ahead of the album launch?
I love coming to the rock and I’m very supportive of the local scene, so it made sense to me that I should launch the album here.
I’m also looking forward to playing with some of the amazing musicians you have here.
Apart from the drummer and I, the rest of the band will feature Pete and Ivan from Red Electrick and Sarah from NoSnow/NoAlps, will be Maltese... and I’ll be having a special guest, also Maltese, joining me on one of the songs. The date of the launch is 11-11-11, but there’s no special meaning behind it. The only message is in the title of the album, Love – it’s all we need!
Jesper Ejrup will be performing V-Gen in Paceville on Friday. The supporting act will be local act TwoTimeShooter, while DJ Davide Zane will be spinning tunes in between bands. Tickets are €5 (entrance only) or €10 (including album).
www.myspace.com/jesperejrup
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