They’ve been compared to artists as diverse as Björk and Darude, and
that suits Norwegian duo Smerz just fine. Variety is the spice of life for
the pair, with their new album Believer showcasing a full digital and
acoustic orchestra.
It’s a diversity of sound that draws on three years of work and has seen
the record climb up the charts since its release in February. With a
growing fanbase and increasing radio play, Smerz look set to be a hit
across Europe this summer.
Here’s a look into what inspires them to create their unique sound, and
why they could be the next big thing.
Key influences
Smerz is built upon the tight friendship of its two members, Catharina
Stoltenberg and Henriette Motzfeld. The pair grew up together in Oslo
and both decided to move to Copenhagen to study. It was here that they
fell in love with the diverse Danish music scene, taking in all of the
different sounds that they heard at clubs and bars in the city.
Eager to broadcast the music that they found, they started a monthly
music show on NTS Radio in 2016, and their eclectic selection of music,
encompassing soft pop to techno, attracted an army of fans. The pair
have called DJ Rashad and the hit songs of Rihanna as key influences on
air, and even played Barbie Girl by fellow Scandinavians Aqua at one
point, recognizing their achievements.
The duo drew on this wide range of influence and were brimming with
ideas when they came to record their first EP Okey in 2017. Even what
they studied had an effect when it came to producing music of their own:
while Motzfeldt’s choice of music composition is obvious, Stoltenberg
found that her maths degree helped her when it came to the technical
side of music production.
Okey’s success encouraged them to continue to experiment with their
sound and Have Fun, released the following year, saw them play around
with sampling and distorted vocals to create an even more diverse sound.
Stoltenberg described the songwriting process as an ‘ongoing
conversation’ where her and Motzfeld continually bounce ideas off each
other in pursuit of their next creation.
A wide range of themes
It’s not just Smerz’s eclectic sound that is delighting their fans. They also
embrace a wide range of themes in their music that most people can
identify with.
Their new album Believer is a prime example of this. The product of
three years of hard work, it has something for everyone. Whether it’s
talking about the little moments of joy in life, which for some people
might be hooking up with someone or landing a small win in a lotto
draw, in Thrill; or falling out of love in Flashing, their music strikes a
chord with many listeners.
However, tying the album together is a broader theme of ‘struggling to
connect with a person who means a lot to you’, according to Motzfeldt.
Her and her partner have used their almost telepathic relationship to
create songs that reflect this yearning, and it’s something that is evident
in many of the songs’ lyrics.
Smerz makes use of a smorgasbord of instruments and effects to convey
these themes, too. They combine real-life instruments such as violins
and cellos with harp samples to create a digital-acoustic orchestra that
gives the record a haunting feel. Many of the songs, such as Versace
Strings, try to capture the feeling of being inside a theatre, with Motzfeld
even adding operatic vocals throughout the album.
This powerful combination of instruments and lyrics has propelled
Believer to number 1 in the Danish charts, possibly signalling the start of
mainstream success.
Smerz on tour
Listening to an album on your stereo or computer is one thing, but
hearing them play live is another. It’s something that Smerz haven’t had
the chance to do much of during their short history.
Everybody knows about the dramatic effect that the Covid-19 pandemic
has had on live concerts, but the duo will be hoping that 2021 can be the
year where they can finally play their new material to fans live. With a
vaccination programme underway across Europe, there could be a tour
announced by the end of the year, although this will depend on the
restrictions in place as the year goes on.
At the time of writing, the pair have only one gig booked: at the VEGA
entertainment centre in Copenhagen. The venue’s relatively small size
should work well for Smerz’s intimate sound, although a reduced
capacity could affect the atmosphere of the gig in certain ways.
2022 might well be the year when Smerz, and the music scene in general,
get the chance to play concerts in a relatively normal manner.
Scandinavia has an excellent selection of festivals to choose from, and
Smerz would fit the aesthetic of several of them, whether it’s dance vibes
of Distortion or the more chilled-out atmosphere of Pstereo.
Whatever happens, make sure you keep your eyes peeled for a
Norwegian ‘odd pop’ act that could make the headlines this year.
