Danish musician Trentemøller is returning to Australia over the New Year to support the release of his new album Into The Great Wide Yonder. I got talking to the great Dane about his new record, his live show and about him not knowing that his drummer Henrik Vibskov being one of the biggest names in Danish fashion.

Over a sketchy phone line that had the same audio qualities as a children’s walkie talkie, Trentemøller admitted to not knowing anything about internationally famous Vibskov and his brightly coloured designs when they first started playing together four years ago. He says, “It’s quite funny because in the beginning I didn’t know he was doing fashion, I thought he was just a drummer. Then after a while, I found out that he is actually a very successful designer.”

The crackling phone line was an enemy for the rest of our chat and so was Trentemøller’s suprisingly German accent but I managed to decipher that Vibskov was also responsible for the amazing set design of his headlining gig in front of 50,000 people at this year’s Roskilde Music Festival. When I asked if Australia would be getting another great Danish export this summer, he replied that Vibskov is still part of the band but he won’t be coming to Australia this time as he is busy with his label. Trentemøller also dropped the news that not only would Vibskov be absent from the Australian performance but some of the staging he designed for Roskilde won’t make it either. However, Trentemøller reassures that his 7-piece live act will be “visually special”.

As one of the most respected dance music producers in the world with hits like ‘Moan’ scoring him a rap sheet as The Don of minimal techno – a genre that dominated many European mega clubs but never got more than an obsessive micro-scene in Australia – it’s a surprise to hear his new album take a more rock music feel. Trentemøller still realises that his fans still want to dance. He says; “This album I got away from programming at the computer and enjoyed playing instruments again. This is an album you listen to, not one that has singles for nightclubs but I’ve made sure that our live version of these songs really makes people dance and we’ve got some good remixes out there too.”

Despite the music being different, some of the staging will be missing and Vibskov won’t be drumming, if Trentemøller puts on a performance that is as inspiring as when I saw him play at the National Art Gallery of Iceland three years ago, he is sure to be a summer highlight – for anyone that wants a beautifully designed musical performance, not just a set list of radio friendly hits.

Trentemøller is performing live at Field Day 2011 in Sydney on New Year’s Day, 1 January.

Official Music Video: Trentemøller – Silver Surfer, Ghost RIder Go! (Live at Roskilde Festival 2009)

Official Music Video: Trentemøller – Moan (2007)

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Featured Contributor: Andrew Green

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