– I loved school in many ways, especially the social part. All the parties, the girls not least. The results at school were not as good as outside, so to speak. It is an open and honest Niklas Paulsen (22), better known as Bølgen, who meets news. Just over three years have passed since he broke through with the monster hit “Er nikke verre” during the pandemic in 2020. The song went straight to first place on Spotify in this country. At the time of writing, it has 17 million plays on the platform. On Friday, the drummer released his very first album, which he has chosen to call “Klassens klovn”. “The upcoming songs take you through 16 years of schooling with stories from romance to bromance”, says the promo text for the new album. The wave is known for its simple and catchy lyrics with a corresponding melody. But the lyrics are more complex than at first glance. – Compensated by being rebellious and funny We rewind time a few years. Niklas Paulsen is a teenager and goes to Marienlyst school, a short walk from his childhood home at Austad in Drammen. A purebred Niklas Paulsen. Or the microwave, if you like. Photo: Private He struggles to concentrate in class. Large parts of school time are spent chatting and joking with classmates. – But I wouldn’t say that I was pure hell, because I was always kind. I think the vast majority of the teachers thought I was charming. Niklas tells of a combination of high energy levels and reading and writing difficulties that affected his grades. At times he felt like the dumb one in the class. – I compensated by being a bit rebellious and funny. The title of class clown is both positive and negative. A younger Niklas Paulsen on holiday in more southern regions. The customary grin has always been in place. Photo: Privat The saving grace was his speaking skills. He received presentations and professional talks through the school. In retrospect, he wishes it were possible to choose the form of assessment himself more often. – Then you might get rid of that feeling of feeling stupid. The conditions for showing knowledge are improving. – I didn’t know any Spanish, I, Niklas Paulsen, will take us to the “crime”. Marienlyst school, where he spent his three secondary school years. Suddenly his old contact teacher, Stine Sveia-Nilsen, comes out of the doors. It was a pleasant reunion with contact teacher Stine Sveia-Nilsen. She came out of the doors at Marienlyst school with a big grin and an even bigger entourage of curious students. Photo: Eirik Leivestad Hall / news They give each other a good hug. – He was a very nice student and talked to absolutely everyone. – In class too? – He could talk a little in class, yes. You can say that. Sveia-Nilsen, who teaches Norwegian and Spanish, confirms that her pupil enjoyed the practical and oral subjects more than the theoretical ones. – I was more or less told that I should not have any more Spanish. I didn’t know any Spanish, says Paulsen. – He didn’t have to change, but he was strongly recommended in any case, laughs the teacher. Flørtepus He basically had a different label than the class clown. – First of all, I remember him as the flirt of the class, who he was voted for by the rest of the class. Before she remembers: – Wasn’t it you who went to Folldal for the village festival in the 10th grade? Niklas Paulsen and Stine Sveia-Nilsen reminisce about the old days. Niklas was more the class flirt than the class clown, according to Stine. Photo: Eirik Leivestad Hall / news Paulsen nods affirmatively and somewhat blushing. – Yes, we won’t go into what happened there, but there was probably a good reason why you got that title, laughs Sveia-Nilsen. – Is it the next album, Niklas? Class flirt? – It has to be! – I felt more at home there than in the classroom The class clown, also known as the class flirt, now sits with 13 years of completed schooling. On top of that, he has a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Now he rides the music wave full-time. A brand new album will be the start of the nautical journey, he hopes. He is a popular man. Not many seconds passed outside Marienlyst school before he was asked to take a selfie. Photo: Eirik Leivestad Hall / news The texts deal with topics such as parties, falling in love, women’s problems, and the feelings you have in your youth. Everyone can, for example, recognize themselves the first time they went to a party, he believes. He has called the one song on the album “Circus in my head”. He does not hide that this is still the case. – I think a lot of people feel that way. The song is about early secondary school, and that I felt I was not understood. “I am the way I am, why doesn’t anyone adapt to me?”, goes one stanza. Will become one of the country’s largest Lysluggen is not exactly unambitious on its own behalf. The aim is to challenge the biggest artists in the country, already now. A new first place on Spotify, perhaps? – That doesn’t sound completely wrong, does it. Now Niklas (22) is looking ahead. He hopes that Niklas (42) will be seen as one of the country’s biggest artists. Photo: Eirik Leivestad Hall / news But above all he is proud of having produced an entire album. – It’s quite a big jump from making one song to making nine songs with a consistent theme. In 20 years, he hopes he will have a great career to look back on. – At several times I have been one of Norway’s biggest artists, played lots of concerts around the country, and had success with several albums. Before he adds: – And house and children in Drammen, of course. Perhaps the children will struggle in everyday school life and feel inadequate. Then at least they have a role model who can guide them.
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– I want to become one of Norway’s greatest artists – news Oslo og Viken – Local news, TV and radio
