Industry Talk: Farao

London-based singer-songwriter Kari Jahnsen aka Farao is busy this autumn, preparing a new album and performing in the UK and Iceland.

Farao combines wistful melodies, lo-fi bumps and whistles and keyboards that quietly fizz against the backdrop of her murmuring, finger-picked guitar; all infused with a wondrous Nordic iciness. Her self-titled debut EP, recorded with Tunng’s Mike Lindsay in Iceland earlier this year, has earned her a string of strong reviews at home and abroad for such strong tracks as ‘Tell A Lie’ and ‘Skin’.

We reached Faro in the midst of a hectic stint in the US to learn more of her plans for the autumn, what Norwegian acts she’s listening to and what we can expect to hear on her upcoming debut album.

What projects are on the top of your agenda these days?

Right now, I’m focussing on mixing my debut album. It’s taken some time to find the right person to mix it, but now it looks like I’ve hit bulls eye. I recorded the album over two months in Reykjavik this spring, and the recording process was pretty intense. 90% of the time it was just me and the producer in the studio while I played virtually all of the instruments myself parallel to co-producing the album. I’m a bit of a control freak, so it’s been a challenge to leave the album in the hands of the technician who’s going to mix it. Still, I’m really looking forward to hearing what he has contributed with to the music.

What are your main international priorities this winter and autumn?I’ve just toured the UK with Woman’s Hour, before that we did a short tour of Germany with Highasakite. Later this autumn, we’re set to support Dan Croll at Koko in London – one of my favourite venues, and my biggest live-show to date. Iceland Airwaves is also on the agenda in early November. As mentioned, the album was recorded in Iceland and I have a strong bond to that country. All of the Icelanders that contributed to the recording and design of the album are coming out to see my first live show there – really looking forward to that.

What other Norwegian acts pop up on your own playlists?

Lately, I’ve been listening a lot to Emilie Nicolas. I’ve been hooked since I first heard her Soundcloud demos more than a year and a half ago. I feel that she has an integrity that I sometimes miss in other Norwegian ‘pop musicians’, in the lack of a better word. I’ve also listened a lot to Mads Øiern’s new solo album – tasteful electronica that’s situated somewhere in between Flying Lotus and Kim Hiorthøy. Hiorthøy’s new album ‘Dogs’ is another that I’ve listened a lot to lately. I also have to highlight my all-time favourites Angelica´s Elegy. They’re currently recording their second album and I’m super excited about it.

Any gigs with Norwegian acts coming up this autumn that you won’t miss?Living in London, I don’t get to see that many Norwegian gigs. But I’m really looking forward to seeing Emilie Nicolas at the Iceland Airwaves!

Upcoming releases or projects that the fans have reason to look forward to?The recording sessions for my debut album are done – over the next month it will be mixed and mastered. According to plan, the album will be released in early 2015.

Our Concert Calendar has a full overview of Farao concerts this autumn.