My interview this month is with Christine Sandtorv from Norway's girl pop trio Ephemera. This was supposed to appear back in spring, when Christine's debut solo album First Last Dance was released in her homeland, but since the album hasn't been released in the U.S. yet, I guess this'll still be fresh info for most of you. It's no secret in my circles that I'm a huge Ephemera fan; in fact, I can say with conviction that they are probably the finest female pop band on the planet. The prospect of a solo recording from their most musically accomplished member was simultaneously worrisome and intriguing...the former, because I feared it might mean Ephemera's future could be in doubt; the latter, because it would naturally be fascinating to see what Sandtorv would sound like outside the tight harmonies and blue diamond aesthetic of her primary band. I certainly needn't have worried; Ephemera have simply been on an extended break, as Inger Lise Storksen and Jannicke Larsen both got pregnant at about the same time, and Sandtorv herself got married this past summer. Love and domestic bliss have clearly come to these Norwegian lasses; time will tell what effect that has on their music. Meanwhile, First Last Dance is a positive delight, and shows that Sandtorv is perfectly capable of making exceptional music on her own. The ten-song platter is no radical departure; it's the same effervescent blend of acoustic pop, light electronica and sweet, purring vocals that Ephemera is known for. And again, the disc was co-produced by the uncannily brilliant Yngve Saetre. What's different is simply that there's more of Ms. Sandtorv on this outing; she wrote everything and plays almost all the guitars, as well as keyboards on three songs. Contributions are made by Thomas Dahl on slide guitar, Per Amund Solberg on bass, Tarjei Strom on drums and Magnet's Even Johansen on the vocal duet "Ten Out of Ten." That particular song, by the way, is a stunner-a luminous, romantic ode to summer rapture with the one you adore. The waltz tempo, breathy vocals and upbeat chorus ("Ten out of ten/You are ten out of ten/You fill me with bliss") instantly stick in your head, and make you want to start singing along. Throughout, Sandtorv and her producer Mr. Saetre add little flourishes to the tunes to give them added warmth and musical richness: subtle strings on "Four-Leaf Clover," "Easy to Fool" and a few others; light, glistening keyboards on the well-crafted song "Hum," which has an ascending chord progression that really gets under your skin; and horns on "But Her" and "Away With It." There's not a weak track on the disc, but of special note is the stunningly beautiful "All the Things We Never Talk About," which is a great example of Sandtorv's songwriting gifts. Her gentle guitar picking blends with lovely orchestration and deft percussion to give her sweet voice the perfect landscape to glide across. And glide it does, singing lyrics so effortless and breezy, you marvel at the organic purity of it all. Sandtorv has an amazing knack for taking conversational-style phrases and turning them into lyrics that work perfectly in her songs. "It's a new world record, still I'm not impressed/It's this chance of a lifetime, still I couldn't care less," she sings, before giving the song's title its due. What a gem of a composition! "But Her" and the wistfully yearning "Collide" are also stellar numbers, the latter a showcase of musical tenderness and vulnerability that Sandtorv renders with exquisite grace. Though the album is on the short side (34 minutes), and doesn't really boast any rockers, it's a pretty effortless listen overall. Sandtorv's way with a melody and the soothing charms of her voice are undiminished, and it's a wonderful pleasure to have an entire album demonstrating her vast creative gifts. OR: 8. OM: 2.

Since trans-Atlantic phone calls are not included in my budget, conducting my interview with Christine Sandtorv by email was the only sensible way to proceed. Following are the results:

KR: What led to you writing and recording a solo album? And were the songs you wrote originally intended for Ephemera?

CS: It just turned out that way. In the beginning I just made new songs because I felt like writing. I hadn't exactly made up my mind about recording or releasing them. I knew they would not be "Ephemera songs" and maybe I had a tiny dream of releasing a solo album. So after a while I started to record them in my little home studio. Only one of the songs was originally made for Ephemera, but it didn't fit on our last album I think (Monolove), so we never recorded it.

KR: Have the other girls been supportive of this record? Are they working on material too?

CS: Yes, they've been very supportive. To be honest I didn't want to hear their opinions during the recording, so they didn't hear any of the songs until they were all recorded. Maybe I was afraid it would sound too much like Ephemera if they had an influence. But they have heard the album now, and they told me they love it.

KR: What felt different about making this record than the way you work with Ephemera? Was it a big change not to have the harmonies of the other girls on these songs?

CS: This time I never went to rehearsal and played my new song for someone. I just played it once again for myself, or maybe my boyfriend. So I never got that feedback, as I am used to from Ephemera. I had to believe in my own decisions. I knew these songs were never meant for Ephemera. So during the writing process, I was aware that I couldn't just fill in with the other girls' voices to create harmonies. But maybe I could replace them with a tuba or a violin? ( I hope they don't kill me for comparing them with just an instrument!)

KR: Are people worried that Ephemera has broken up? What responses are you getting from fans in Norway about your album?

CS: People are asking me about what will happen to Ephemera, now that the others had babies, and I'm releasing a solo album. But I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. I think we'll meet again in our rehearsal room soon. We are building a studio there. I'm sure we are going to kill some time there during the summer and autumn.

KR: Yngve Saetre has produced this recording again. Can you summarize what it's like to work with him? He strikes me as a brilliant and intuitive producer who understands your aesthetic perfectly.

CS: Yes, I have worked with Yngve again. But I've also been more involved in the producing myself this time. I recorded all the songs in my tiny home studio, Home Sweet Home Recordings, on the attic in our old wooden house. I recorded all the guitars, vocals and some keys as well. Then I took it over to Duper Studio, where we recorded drums, bass, some authentic piano, strings and brass. I also did some of the vocal takes there. Yngve is a really good man. We cooperate really good together, and totally understand each other. He is so relaxed, and really cares about the real music, not just about "making a hit," like I feel a lot of other producers focus too much on.

KR: The title track of your album is a duet with Even Johansen of Magnet, who is also a Bergen resident. I interviewed him recently and it was touching to hear him talk about the cooperative atmosphere between musicians in Bergen. Do you think music is somehow more sincere and special when musicians who like and respect each other work together? And does the coummunal spirit in Bergen influence your creativity?

CS: I think it's really inspiring that there are so many good musicians in Bergen. And a lot of them are really nice people, as well. I was very happy when Even told me he'd like to sing on the song "Ten Out of Ten," and I think he did a fantastic job. I sent him a letter with the song on a CD, and he recorded it in his home studio on the island Askøy, where he lives (right outside Bergen).

KR: You sang several terrific songs with the Ralph Myerz and Jack Herren band. I particularly like "L.I.P.S.T.I.C.K.," on their last album. What was it like recording with them? That sort of dancey pop is so different from Ephemera's music; would you like to do more things in that vein?

CS: I have known "Ralphene" for quite a long time now. We actually share rehearsal room/studio with them in Industrihuset in Bergen. It was really fun singing with them. I also wrote the melody and some of the lyrics on that song, and I sang with them on some other old tracks ("Think Twice"), as well as some that will appear on their new album. I love working with them, they are such great boys.

KR: When you are writing a song, do you tend to have the lyrics first, and then write music? Or do both come to you at the same time? Can you share the experience of writing a certain song on this album, like what inspired it or how easily it came together?

CS: Most often, both music and lyrics come to me at the same time. At least the first verse, or the refrain or a line, and then I have to work to make it to a whole song. I remember writing the song "Ten Out of Ten." It was such a beautiful day in Bergen, I was a bit in love, and I sat down writing and playing. And it isn't that often that I manage to make a song when I'm feeling that way. It seems easier when I'm a bit sad, or have a lot on my mind. Unfortunately, it isn't often that it's nice and sunny weather in Bergen, either.

KR: Will it be difficult for you to perform as a solo artist after so much time with Ephemera? Who would be playing in your band for live shows?

CS: To be honest I don't really know. And I am a bit nervous, I can tell. But hopefully it will be okay. I'm going to have "the first last dance band" with me on live shows. (Tarjei, drums, Thomas, Guitar and some keys?, and I will use a bass player from Bergen, Andres Bitustøyl. Per Amund Solberg is busy releasing an album with Number Seven Deli.

KR: Finally, what are your plans when this record is released? How much will you tour? And how long do you think it will be until Ephemera records again?

CS: I'm not really sure. I know we are going to play some gigs, and maybe some festivals. And hopefully the album will be released in some other countries as well. I'm working on it. But since I'm doing it all by myself (having my own label, making artwork and so on), I cannot do everything at the same time. So I'll just see what will happen...

For more information about Christine Sandtorv or to purchase her CD, go to www.christinesandtorv.com or www.myspace.com/christinesandtorv.