COVER -> POWERSSOUND
Eddie Van Halen long has been considered a guitar god by young musicians seeking to reach the first step on the ladder that leads to fame and fortune. To a youngster in Copenhagen, Denmark, Van Halen's work compared favorablywith other such winners as Tony Iommi and Richie Blackmore.
Torben Enevoldsen began working in earnest toward a music career ten years ago after listening to another hard rocker, Yngwie Malmsteen. Enevoldsen experimented with a four-track tape recorder, a drum machine, and a bass.
Gradually he was able to mold a style of his own.The magic fingers of Enevoldsen have brought about a second album, "Heavy Persuasion," released a few days ago on the Lion Music Co. label. The new set, recorded last May, also features bassist Flemming Hansen and drummer Mickey Hurricane, contains a solid array of ten tunes, all composed by Enevoldsen.
The result is a stinging salute to hard rock, without vocals (a plus, in my opinion) and bound to appeal to hard-core rockers the world over.Employingİe-mail, I recently asked Enevoldsen a number of questions.What follows are his answers, exactly as they showed up on my computer a few days ago.You'll note that Enevoldsen has that happy combination of assurance and modesty.
"Heavy Persuasion" should persuade many devotees of the hard rock sound to plunk down their money at the nearest record emporium.
G21:When did you start to play the guitar?
TORBEN ENEVOLDSEN:I actually began playing guitar in the early 80's, but I didn't really get serious until 1990.
G21:Did you have formal training beyond classes in your school?
TORBEN ENEVOLDSEN: I never received any formal training at school or otherwise. Apart from a few chords taught to me by my older brother, I am completely self taught.
G21:When was your first appearance on stage?How old were you?Was the audience appreciative of your performance?
TORBEN ENEVOLDSEN: My first live appearance must have been around the age of 14 and I played with a couple of friends from school. We did among others, a version of Dire Straits's "Sultans Of Swing". The band consisted of me on vocals and rhythm guitar and this older guy on lead guitar, as well as a class mate of mine who played the drums. We got a lot of praise on our performance, but I'm pretty sure that it must have sounded close to terrible --- But we had a lot of fun!!!
G21: What was your first professional, paid performance?
TORBEN ENEVOLDSEN: That must have been back in the mid 80's when I played in a band called TRACE. (Actually the keyboard player of that band was Andrej Andersen, who a few people might know as the man behind ROYAL HUNT!)
We played a gig at this school here in Copenhagen and it didn't pay much, but I remember feeling quite proud ...
G21: Is there a large market in Scandinaviaİfor the type of music you perform?
TORBEN ENEVOLDSEN: The market for instrumental music isn't exactly large anywhere, but I truly believe that things are looking up. It seems to me that there's quite a large audience world wide for instrumental music and still growing, so I for one look to the future with great anticipation!
G21: Are you happy with your professional accomplishments?
TORBEN ENEVOLDSEN: So far I am quite happy, but the more I achieve the more I seem to want so hopefully my work is never done.
G21: What are your goals as a musician?
TORBEN ENEVOLDSEN: I want to reach as many people as possible and hopefully give them the same thrill I get, whenever I listen to great music! Also, I want to constantly better myself in regards of playing and composing, as well as having fun in the process!
G21:Were your parents supportive of your work?
TORBEN ENEVOLDSEN: Actually no. Up until the release of my first album "Guitarisma", I think that they didn't really take it seriously. Once I got the first record deal, they changed a bit and I think that they actually grew rather proud. Not so much for the musical side of things (they consider my music too loud and way too noisy!), as for the work I put into both practising and chasing record deals and for the things I end up achieving.
G21:Do you have a "day job," or are you able to support yourself as a musician?
TORBEN ENEVOLDSEN: I do have a day job. It's a part time job as a janitor's help right here where I live, so that's rather convenient. I really like to have something else to think about, since music can be rather all absorbing. Having a steady income also enables me to make the music I like, which is extremely important to me!
G21:Please give some personal information: age, marital status, children, etc.
TORBEN ENEVOLDSEN: I grew up in a very small town called "Roennede"(population: 6,000) which is 60 km south of Copenhagen. At age 16 I moved to Copenhagen in order to get an education and a job, and to find musicians to work with. I have just turned 33 and I live with my girlfriend in an apartment very close to the centre of Copenhagen. We have been together for 15 years now and do not have any children.
G21:How well has the latest album been received in Europe? Are sales going well in the U.S.?
TORBEN ENEVOLDSEN: I'm afraid that this question is a little too early to answer, since the album hasn't been out for more than 2 weeks. However, the reviews I have seen so far have been very favourable so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
G21:Do you consider yourself a success? Why?
TORBEN ENEVOLDSEN: Definitely! Being a success to me means, having the courage to pursue your dreams. I started out with, getting a record deal on my own music as a goal, and achieved it. Then I wanted to get endorsement deals with companies that are making great musical equipment and got that as well. Every goal I achieve I consider a win and so far I have been successful at that, but new goals keep coming up so I got to stay on my toes.
G21:What are your immediate plans?A tour in Europe? Engagements in the U.S.?
TORBEN ENEVOLDSEN: Right now I'm focusing a lot of my energy on doing promotion for "Heavy Persuasion", but I am also constantly writing new music and working on my chops so I'm keeping rather busy! I am also looking for a decent booking company so that the band and I might do a tour in the very near future! I would love to visit the States some time, but for now no gigs are planned...
G21:Looking ahead, where do you want to be five years from now?
TORBEN ENEVOLDSEN: Good question! I guess I'd like to be able to play a lot and to be able to tour with my music. If in addition, I'd be able to support myself playing music at that point, I would definitely be a very happy camper indeed!!!
G21:Any additional comments?
TORBEN ENEVOLDSEN: I would like to point out that I have a web site at: www.torbenenevoldsen.com and I hope that everyone who reads this, will come by and visit. The site is updated on a regular basis by yours truly!
