Magnet 

The Norwegian artist Magnet, had last week a release party for the first EP since he's been signed to Ultimate Dilemma in Europe. It took place at Nattjazzen in Bergen, and it proved that Magnet is on his way to becoming big headed in a wonderful way.

Magnet, aka Even Johansen, has previously performed alone with his slide guitar, which in itself sounded beautiful. Still it can't be compared to what the audience at Nattjazzen heard, when the Magnet performed with the super-producer Sir Duperman on sounds, Tarjei Strøm from Ralph Myerz and the Jack Herren band on drums, and the DJ's Floora on turntables. A truly remarkable experience. 

-I've become big-headed. It's as simple as that. You can't say in any other way. It's gone straight to my head…

Is the way you played on Nattjazzen the new thing both live and on record?
- No. It's nice to change things on concerts, and some of the people also appeared on the EP, but I'm not that high on myself that I think all of them will come and join my band. They're all busy doing other things. But right now they all had the time, and enthusiasm.

Support for Doves
Magnet has just finished as the support band for Doves. This has given him lots of new fans in Great Britain.

- It was super, and we had a great time. And people came early to see us, which was rather surprising. Doves are so popular that all the venues we played at were full. The whole of England came to watch them.. We did too.. we cheered on them.

Up!
And the press in England has also noticed Magnet. At least NME has, who has named him one of the most important artists of 2002. 

- I think it works like this: if one says you're popular, then suddenly everyone says it. But the press has been very nice towards me so far.

After a race from labels to get Magnet's signature, Ultimate Dilemma won, and now releases his first EP out in Europe. The next step is to release another EP in a few months, and an album in January. Even just has to write a few more tunes.

Pigeon breeding
- I've gotten a pigeon coop, so I spend a lot of time hanging there watching the windy barn next door. While highballs blows by. Just like you see in the old country movies. And I build a Scalectrix race car track around the fishing pond. These activities don't produce many songs, but it's great fun.

But do you have enough songs for the album?
- Well, we're going to do another EP in September, so then we'll milk it for all it's worth, and then we'll release an album in January. So I might have to stop hanging with the pigeons, and write a little more soon..