Karin Park

1.) WHICH RECORD HAS HAD THE MOST PROFOUND INFLUENCE ON YOU?
At the age of 16 I moved out from home and heard “Jagged little Pill” by Alanis Morisette for the first time. I listened to the whole record over and over again until my best friend got really upset with me and  I started to mix in Hole’s “Live through This”.  Alanis Morisette and Courtney Love had a deep influence on me then. I’m from a Christian family, from the countryside you know, so they were something different. They also made me start writing songs. Which opened up everything to me.

 2.) HOW MANY HOURS DO YOU SPEND A WEEK RECORDING/PLAYING/CREATING?
When I’m home I do it as much as I can. Sometimes it’s 12 hours a day. Sometimes 1. I live in an old church in Sweden and recording there creates a really special sound. Some evenings I decide to write a song and I take out the power supply out of my laptop. I tell myself that I have to finish recording the song before the battery on my laptop runs out. Then I’m under a bit of pressure. I write best under pressure.

3.) WHICH OF YOUR OWN CREATIONS IS YOUR FAVOURITE?
I don’t look at my own work like that. I see them as neutral sound memories from a particular time in my life. But there is a song called “Hard Liquor Man” from my last record that I really enjoy playing live. Maybe that’s the closest I get to a favourite.

4.) WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST REGRET?
Trusting other people’s advice about my life.

5.) WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX?
I cook some slow food or meditate.

6.) OTHER THAN FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHAT IS YOUR MOST CHERISHED POSSESSION?
 My health. To be able to live in a strong and functioning body is a blessing.

7.) TELL ME THREE OF YOUR HEROES/HEROINES?
Francis Kurkdjian, Ellen Rogers and my husband, Kjetil Nernes. He is a deep mystery.

8.) WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN THE WORLD?
In the sauna. I like dark and hot places. In fact I like dark and hot everything.

9.) IF YOU DIDN’T HAVE YOUR ART WHAT OCCUPATION DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD BE DOING?
I’d definitely work in perfumery making perfumes. I’m obsessed with perfumes and smells and the impact of a scent on its surroundings.

10.) IF THERE IS ONE THING THAT YOU WOULD WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT YOU HAVE NEVER CONVEYED IN AN INTERVIEW BEFORE WHAT WOULD THAT BE?
Sometimes on stage if I suddenly feel uncertain and lose my mojo, I just pretend that I am Nick Cave and the strength runs back to me like a flood of confidence. It’s a very good trick.