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Singer Morten Harket was the pin-up of a-ha, the 80s band from
Norway,
who had hits with Take On Me and TSASOTV. Now they're back with
a new
album, Lifelines, a gig at the Royal Albert Hall on 25 June, and
a DVD
of their comeback concert. We caught up with him in Germany
during the
band's European tour to find out if fame's as sweet the second
time
around.
What time did you get up?
MH: I got up several times, because I registered standing up,
but I
wasn't really prepared! So, I went back to bed. I got up at 6.30
for an
hour, gave myself a new start, then got up at 9.15. I sleep well,
mostly
during the day though. I love to get up early. That time before
the
world starts is something else. But my system doesn't cope with
it.
Who was the first person you spoke to?
MH: My brain has been scrambled so many times today, I can't
remember.
At home it would be my partner. I was married, but I've been
separated
a long time. In many ways it's a quiet relationship. Special.
You need
to take care. Otherwise you end up waking up with a fart in the
bed,
with your back to whoever you've slept with for 16 years.
Where are you right now?
MH: A TV studio in Munich. All TV studios are identical, rather
boring,
and I of course have a dressing room. But I don't want to deal
with
people all the time - you need your own space - so I'm hanging
outside
with the drivers and they couldn't care less. Fine. It was a
lovely day
here, but now I have to say it looks more British to me.
What are you wearing?
MH: A red t-shirt and jeans. I haven't worn jeans for a long
time, but
they're coming back, they tell me. Although these are designer
jeans,
and like the ones I used to wear in the early 80s, I don't care
about
labels.
What's your most recent buy?
MH: Time and me don't really agree, so I find it very hard to
remember
anything. Hang on a minute.... ah! In Madrid yesterday I bought
a pair
of sneakers for a good friend who is travelling with me. Because
I
needed him to get a new pair. Because I sit next to him on the
plane. No,
it wasn't a hint. We're much more direct than that. It's action.
When were you last drunk?
MH: I produce so much drugs myself, that I don't need to take
any. I
get high on things, but I've never been very good with a bottle.
The last
time was in '88 when Mags was trying to drink a priest under the
table.
I kind of got caught in the crossfire of the tequilas. I was
intoxicated at least a whole day. And the day after. I was
really bad.
What's the most recent domestic thing you've done?
MH: I'm a free-floating person, but i'm also very disciplined. I
did
the dishes at home, I had to do them when I did my service for
the
military, it can be therapeutic. It's a different story if
you're stuck in a
house with no help on a daily basis, but I don't have it like
that. And
I keep my hotel room tidy. I prefer chaos to be in my thoughts.
What was the last thing you put in your mouth?
MH: My foot, probably! In fact, it was a mozarella salad.
Usually I try
and eat something that corresponds with the blood type that I am.
I've
tried it and I do believe that the blood type diet has a lot
going for
it. I'm type O, which is primal or original man. So the
hunter-gatherer. Things you catch or pull out of the ground.
When was the last time you had a really good snog?
MH: That word! It sounds like a Scandinavian character, doesn't
it?!
So, at home before I left on Monday. I'm very much a romantic
person, but
not in a sentimental, soft way. More in a passionate way. We've
been
together three years and I'm really happy. She's changed my
life, for the
better. Well, it couldn't go any other way.
When did you last cry?
MH: I cry at films, oh yeah! There's so much crap out there, it
makes
me cry. No, seriously I can cry quite easily. Of course,
sentimentality
can hit me, but I don't normally go there. I cry more out of
passion,
not from a sorrow point of view. I've cried live on stage, if
the song
hits a certain point, the lyrics. It can happen. Not often, but
it has.
What are you going to do when you hang up?
MH: Do the TV show, then back to the hotel. I have to get to bed
early,
I leave at 6am for Oslo, Japan the day after. It's hectic, but
we're
enjoying it this time around. It's a lot better compared with
the 80s.
We've had a massive response, which we didn't expect. It's been
fantastic, totally overwhelming. So satisfying. Yes, coming
back, it's good.
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