struggled and fought and never given up in their quest to follow their dreams. I find it fascinating. For instance, I have the utmost respect for how Trent Reznor went from sweeping the floor at the recording studio in order to be able to borrow it, to winning an Oscar for his music. Personally, my biggest influence is my step-mother, Ane Cathrine. She has always pushed me and given me courage to pursue my dreams and reach my goals, to follow my heart and not my head and made me put my fear of failure behind me. Ever since she got together with my dad about 15 years ago sheʼs been a huge support. The rest of my family has also been amazing, but she has really helped me realize my own potential. Iʼm also very much influenced and
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inspired by Paulo Coelho and Kat Von D, especially after reading their biographies. In a very similar way to my musical influences, they have fought hard to fulfil their dreams by “fighting the good fight” (Coelho). To read how they have achieved what they have achieved has given me so much inspiration and helped me through many rough days. I guess the main issue is, they have influenced me to be stronger and to not give up when things do not go as planned, they have showed me that hard work does pay off in the end. Hilde: Tell us a little bit about your creative process. What is easier to create, and what is most important, lyrics or melody? Martin: I think I have to quote a Hugh
Grant movie for this, I think in Music & Lyrics they said something in the order of, “The melody is the physical attraction, what you fall in love with. The lyrics is when you get to know the person, get under that person's skin.” Personally, I think the melody is the most important, there is so much excellent instrumental music out there, and that works perfectly without words, not all lyrics works without music. When listening to a song, a good melody makes me want to listen to it again, and adding good lyrics to it would make me not get tired of listening to it over and over again. Again, though, if the melody is not capturing me in the first place, I will never get to the next stage, and the lyrics will never be allowed to make an impact on me.