– Here Mira sits and produces, and here I stand and sing, says Gutu Abera. In the home studio at Bønes in Bergen, music is made that reaches far beyond Norway’s borders. Abera and Mira Thiruchelvam are not just husband and wife, they are also colleagues who have managed to win one of Africa’s most prestigious awards together. – When Gutu travels to Ethiopia, he is a super celebrity. It is almost dangerous for him to walk in the streets, everyone wants to take pictures with him, says Thiruchelvam about her husband. The Bergen pair won the Afrima prize with the song “Demi”, which they describe as slightly jazz-based with Ethiopian traditions. Photo: Ida Yasin Andersen / news New golden age for Norwegian music? They are not the only Norwegian artists who make it big abroad, according to Music Norway. The golden age for Norwegian music exports fell drastically as a result of the pandemic, says manager Tone Østerdal. Now the trend is about to reverse again, shows the progress of the travel subsidy scheme that Music Norway operates. – We notice a record search for them now. It is an indication that the demand is there, because you have to have an international booking to be able to apply at all. There are four application deadlines a year. While 67 actors applied for travel support by the June deadline in 2021, and 148 applied in 2022, this year there were 261 applicants. Although the demand for Norwegian music is picking up again, the economic situation is still uncertain due to the weak krone and increased travel costs. – Unfortunately, we also hear about people who choose to wait to go on tour because it has become so expensive. Photo: Ida Yasin Andersen / news Thiruchelvam and Abera have neither applied for nor received support from Music Norway. They also have no management behind them. Nevertheless, they secured the All Africa Music Awards (Afrima) prize for the year’s best jazz song in January, with the song “Demi”. This has previously been discussed by, among others, the journal Ballade and Bergensavisen. Popular Nigerian artist Burna Boy won the Afrima Award for Best Album, to put it in context. The award has made Abera a superstar in Ethiopia, while few here at home know who he is. The couple are keen to be innovative. Since the song “Demi”, they have moved a little more towards an electronic Afro-beat-like pop world. Photo: Ida Yasin Andersen / news Tamil and Ethiopian roots Abera was born in Ethiopia and came to Bergen as an 18-year-old. Thiruchelvam was born and raised in Bergen, with Tamil roots. – Mira has a bit of a Tamil and western touch, and I have everything in one. I think it’s very cool, even if we discuss it a little a few times, says Abera and laughs, before Thiruchelvam adds: – Yes, we mustn’t paint a glossy picture of it. It’s not just just being husband and wife and making music together. We also argue. Being married and close colleagues is both challenging and a great security, they say. Photo: Ida Yasin Andersen / news – Underestimating Norwegians’ musical habits Abera is a vocalist, songwriter and creates melodies, while Thiruchelvam produces, composes and plays the bamboo flute. When she is not playing with her husband, she plays in the band 9 degrees north, and is currently touring with Karpe. It was great to get the generous price, but also a bit paradoxical because they don’t get anywhere near the same attention in Norway, they say. – When you see the Spellemann prize and are not part of the music industry, it is a bit surreal that we have won the Afrima prize, says Thiruchelvam. Abera say that they are experiencing a lot of attention around their new song “Anatu” in Ethiopia, the USA, France and Germany. Photo: Ida Yasin Andersen / news The pair have been operating within the genre Thiruchelvam somewhat reluctantly calls “world music” for a couple of years now, and experience little willingness to experiment at festivals. – I also think the music industry has a tendency to underestimate Norwegians’ musical habits. I feel that festivals that are financed by, among others, the Cultural Council should experiment more, and take responsibility and open up a market. The prize has, among other things, led to them playing concerts in Ethiopia, receiving inquiries in Morocco and perhaps playing in the USA in the autumn. In Norway, among other things, they will play at Vinjerock, but they hope the price can open even more doors here at home. – It’s nice to travel around the world and play music, but I actually think it’s even more fun to be able to play in several places in Norway. It will probably be a bit of an investment area for us in the next few years, says Abera, and gets support from Thiruchelvam: – But then we need someone in Norway who wants to work with us, because we also struggle to find a management or booking that wants to. Then I’m a little unsure whether they don’t see the commercial value in us. So it will be exciting to see what happens.
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Gutu is a superstar in Ethiopia, but “unknown” in Norway – news Culture and entertainment
