Lauren, Bjørn Ivar Tysse and Frode in Bergen, 2007.
(Picture from Bergensavisen)

Savoy drummer Frode Unneland was recently interviewed in Bergensavisen’s paper edition, in connection with the release of the West Side Tennis Club album.

The album is only available digitally at the moment, which he admits is a bit strange:

“For me, who’s been in this game for so long, it’s strange to release the album exclusively online and not physically in a record store. But the world has changed and we have to use the methods that are available.”

“We had a lot of response from abroad to the songs that we had posted online. And then one of the songs was used in the TV-series “Himmelblå”, so we decided it was time to release the album. We got a deal with Geir Luedy and Your Favorite Music, who distributes albums via Sonet. And they release everything digitally first, apparently.”

“The links to Savoy and a-ha gives us a chance to promote West Side Tennis Club through their network as well. That has given the music a lot of attention.”

“I guess the oldest songs are from 2004. We are both very busy, so we’ve never found the right time [to release it]. But now I’m really happy that it’s out there.”

Frode and Bjørn Ivar Tysse play and sing everything themselves on the album, with one exception;

“Lauren Waaktaar-Savoy came over to Bergen and wrote a song for us that she and I sing as a duet.”

– What will happen with Savoy, now that a-ha are retiring?

“We have plans to enter the studio and record a new album. We’re often talking with each other and writing new music, but at the moment a-ha are very busy, so that means Savoy is lying a bit dormant.”