Who are you and what is your artist name?
Xanthipe
What’s your background?
My background dates back to the 80s when I heard Axel F from Beverly Hills Cop. It was the first melody that I had to copy on my Commodore 64, which turned out to be quite challenging since it was DOS code. Later, the Amiga 500 came along, and that’s when something happened with computer music. My first encounter with the electronic world was when I got Jean Michel Jarre’s first album. I would listen to his enchanting world in the evenings, and he would make me envision images from another planet with his mesmerising sounds. I was hooked. Later on, I discovered Vangelis (RIP), followed by Kitaro and Kraftwerk. I first heard Kraftwerk when I was on a school trip over 30 years ago. I was standing in the middle of Ebeltoft town. and the purest sound I had ever heard came out of a courtyard. The bass drum was deep without any hiss or other noise. It was a treat for my ears.
How has your practice changed over time?
It has changed according to the new music that has emerged. I am highly fascinated by the electronic world and the constantly evolving new styles. I try to imitate them, but I always end up going back to my roots, thanks to JMJ (Jean Michel Jarre). My goal in my music is to constantly evolve, to avoid copy-pasting and instead renew the music continually.
What music genre do you most identify with?
Electronic brain gymnastics.
What themes do you pursue?
I have almost answered this before. My goal in my music is to be in constant development, where each track is ideally not a copy-paste but a constant renewal of the music.
What’s your scariest experience?
When I saw my very first horror movie. I wasn’t very old when I watched Alien, the 8th passenger. But the fascination with the unknown made that film one of my top 10 favourites. Of course, the first place goes to Blade Runner with music by Vangelis.
What’s your favourite artwork?
Blade Runner. If you see the film as a piece of art, it is a masterpiece of light, sound, and colours. The music perfectly matches the environment. The setup of the different scenes with color combinations, light, shadows, and more. So, my favourite artwork lasted about two hours, and I enjoy every second of it, even after watching it more than 20 times.
Describe a real-life situation that inspired you.
“Flying High Over Amsterdam” is a melody that came to me while I was heading home from a vacation in Amsterdam. I found the title humorous because it made me wonder what one would do on a vacation in Amsterdam.
What’s your most embarrassing moment?
I can’t recall one right now. I wonder if I’ve even had such a moment in my life.
What jobs have you done other than being an artist?
I have worked as a mover, truck driver, bus driver, greengrocer, auto painter, amusement park performer, and more.
Why music?
Because listening to music drives me crazy, and when I create it, I gain even greater respect for the talented artists I’m a fan of. Moreover, making music is a way to immerse myself and geek out on something. I’ve caught myself spending over an hour just working on a bass drum sound because it had to fit my ears perfectly. I love geeking out on sounds, and it’s very rare that I use samples or sounds created by others.
What memorable responses have you had to your work?
Back in the day around the early 2000s, there was a website/community called MUSIKPLANETEN.dk, which had an international side called DANISHTECNO.com. I gained fans from all over the world during that period, and it was an exciting time. Receiving feedback and praise for what I do encourages me to put more effort into the next piece of music I create. And there has been great support from a special person named Piv, who, despite working hard on his own music, takes the time to listen and provide feedback.
What food, drink, or song inspires you?
I would rather say that a good film can inspire me. I have never been inspired by food or drink. But music can inspire everyone. Many musicians can inspire someone to find a rhythm or a bass line, among other things.
What do you like about your work?
If we’re talking about work where I make money, then I must admit that I don’t enjoy it. But when it comes to my music, I love sitting down and tweaking knobs, setting up FX machines, and more until a unique and good sound comes out of the speakers or headphones, a sound that I truly appreciate.
What makes you angry?
The fact that people in our small country have become so selfish and self-important. The idea that in the future, there will be no women or men, only chickens. Overall, all this fuss about gender, race, and more frustrates me. I have never thought that there is a difference between women and men; we are all human beings. But after all this racial politics and gender focus, I have become more aware of colours and genders. I have always thought it is unfortunate how some men treat women. But these women should also change their taste and not go after the kind of men who oppress them. Yes to equal pay; we should go back to the Viking age when men and women were equal and fought side by side. What a lot of complaining. But let me add one last thing—traffic. I don’t need to say more.
What superpower would you have, and why?
I wouldn’t want any superpower because it’s delightful to feel human, able to hurt myself and make mistakes, and more.
Name something you love, and why.
I love music!!! Why? You can be stuck in traffic, tired after work, annoyed by everything, but then “Three Little Birds” starts playing through the speakers. Suddenly, you forget about all the troubles and start smiling to yourself while humming, “Don’t worry about a thing, ’cause every little thing is gonna be alright.” Or maybe you’ve had an argument with an idiot, and then you play “Godsmack – I Fucking Hate You,” and instantly you release your anger, and you’re happy again. Music can change people in every possible way. Unfortunately, not everyone listens to music, and that’s why there is war in our beautiful world.
Name something you hate, and why.
WINE. Overrated dishwater. I can’t stand the taste of wine. I’ve been forced to taste it several times because that particular wine was supposedly so good. Fox pee…
What is your dream project?
To create a musical journey lasting up to two hours that can captivate the listener from the very first second.
Name three artists that inspire you.
Already mentioned: JMJ, Vangelis, Kraftwerk.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Relax and enjoy life. Don’t worry so much about what others think of you; instead, do what you believe makes you happy. Those who don’t like the way you live can just leave your life.
Professionally, what’s your goal?
My goal is to maybe inspire a young person to make music, just like JMJ, Kraftwerk, and Vangelis inspired me.
What couldn’t you live without?
Music, love, food, drink, sleep, and occasionally a trip to the toilet.