interviews

The New York Times interview...

THE songwriting session was so fresh that the aroma of the evening’s chicken wings still lingered. Behind the vast mixing board of a dimly lighted Manhattan recording studio, two producers and their co-writer greeted a record executive who had come to hear their work. With the press of a button, the room filled with sound: somber guitar arpeggios over a slow, sleek hip-hop beat, with layers of falsetto harmonies leading to a big, glittery, instantly memorable chorus. It was pure candy — sweetly melodic, but just funky enough to have a dance groove.

“I’m thinking Jennifer,” the executive said.

“It’s perfect for Jennifer Hudson.”

As three more songs that had been written in the last 24 hours blared from enormous speakers, the producers sat calmly, waiting to hear which superstars their songs would be pitched to. But they weren’t the Neptunes or Timbaland or Dr. Dre or anyone else ardent followers of the Top 40 would be likely to recognize. They were Tor Erik Hermansen and Mikkel S. Eriksen, wholesome-looking, milk-complexioned Norwegians who, despite having no public persona, have quickly become two of the most in-demand figures in pop music.

About.Com interview...

From Bill Lamb,

Your Guide to Top 40 / Pop.

An Interview

Stargate's Mikkel Eriksen and Tor Hermansen are not yet household names in the US, but, if their current success continues, that may soon change. They first stormed American pop and r&b charts early in 2006 with their work on Ne-Yo's breakthrough #1 hit "So Sick." After work with artists ranging from Rihanna to Lionel Richie, they closed out the year aiming for the top of the charts with Beyonce's stellar "Irreplaceable."

I asked 10 questions to look a bit deeper into what makes Stargate tick.

Q: What other producers, songwriters and/or artists do you see as your primary inspirations?

A: The artists that have inspired us the most are Prince, Stevie Wonder, Depeche Mode, Jay-Z, Brandy, and R. Kelly. Our favourite producers are Jam and Lewis, Quincy Jones, LA & Babyface, Dr Dre, Timbaland, Neptunes, Rodney Jerkins, Max Martin, and Jermaine Dupri.

Q: How did you first connect with Jay-Z and Def Jam?