Quadron is Helping Change the Climate of Soul in Denmark (Interview + Free Download)

There isn't much of a soul scene in Denmark, says Robin Hannibal, one half of Quadron, an experimental duo from the Nordic country. But he grew up on the sound, and is keeping it alive with singer Coco O. on a self-titled disc of laid-back, loungy beats. Can you judge a disc by its cover? There's a girl on there with white and black tribal-type marks on her face, and a feather over one eye. Robin pulled back the covers a bit during a recent chat with Planet Green about life in Denmark. He and Coco live in Copenhagen, where world leaders failed to deliver an international agreement on curbing greenhouse gas emissions. We won't blame Robin.

Planet Green: So the new album gets a full international release on March 23? How was it received in Denmark?

Robin Hannibal: Very well, considering Denmark doesn't really have a soul scene or audience. We had the singles in heavy rotation, and were nominated for a movie award that is kind of the Danish version of an Oscar, for best original song in a movie.

All the reviews we've had in Denmark have been 4 stars out of 6, which either means that the press has never agreed on something more than what they think about our record, or they don't know what to do with it, cause it's such a un-Danish genre.

Free mp3 Download: Quadron - Average Fruit

Right-click on the above link and 'Save Link As' to download a free track from Quadron

PG: You and Coco live in Denmark. Tell me how you came to make music?

RH: We were both born and raised there. I started out in my late teens, and was always more interested in the production, arrangement and structure of songs—in other words, songwriting. So I started studying music theory for a short while, and got just enough for me to get going on my own. I would say that Jobim, Sly Stone, Wonder, Gaye, Morricone, etc., were my real teachers.

Photo credit: Isa Jacob/Art director: Sanne Frank

PG: Denmark was in the news in December for the COP 15 summit. Did you pay attention?

RH: It was unavoidable. There was a lot of focus in the press on the event. Unfortunately, it didn't go as the world hoped for. But keeping this on a positive tip, Rome wasn't built in a day, and at least the process is under way ...

PG: What are your thoughts on climate change, and the need for an international agreement?

RH: It is very important. But I don't think that it will happen before we start thinking more united, instead of nationally. How to get there? I can't say. But it's very obvious and apparent that the international organizations didn't have enough power to make it happen.

PG: What's the music culture in Denmark? Is there a feeling among artists that it's important to be environmentally conscious?

RH: It's hard to generalize. But I think most Danish artists are environmentally conscious. Most of us ride bikes, eat a lot of ecological and biodynamic food, try to save on electricity and don't use too much water ...

We feel it's important. Both of us are aware of the environment, and both live healthy. Coco just quit smoking, and we both eat very healthy.

PG: Do you consider yourself an environmentally conscious artist?

RH: I'm an environmentally conscious human ...

Neither of us have a driver's license. We only ride bikes, unless we have to tour, or get farther out of town than a bicycle can take us ...

We don't take any particular green steps when touring. But if we had to choose, we would pick trains instead of cars and planes. But it isn't always possible.

PG: What are your plans for the album, a tour, a new album?

RH: We are working on another album. But in the very short future, we will be taking the trip over the Atlantic, and will try and establish ourselves in the states ...

The new album is going to get a more analog and band-oriented sound. We both think it's important to not do the same thing over. But it's still going to sound like us.

Regarding touring in the states, we are coming over in April to set it all up, and will hopefully start touring around the end of May and June.

PG: It's said that Danes are some of the happiest people on Earth. Does it have anything to do with steps toward a cleaner environment?

RH:I would like to think that it has to something to do with the environment, but I don't think so.

I don't think we are the happiest people in the world. How do you measure that? I would say that we are probably one of the top 10 countries when it comes to living standards. There is also another statistic that shows that we have the highest amount of suicides per capita.

PG: Well, it's also said that Danes pay the highest energy prices on Earth, along with high taxes.

RH: Yep, that's true. But the high taxes go back into our society: Schools, hospitals, etc., are for available for everyone. And the standard is high.

PG: Do you think the cost of cleaner energy is worth it?

RH: Yeah, I think it's worth it, 'cause it's the right way to go if we want to stay on this planet for a long time.

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