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A new musical partnership, years in the making, has blossomed into Schau.Schou, a duo crafting low-key acoustic music characterized by a remarkably intimate style. Their debut EP,”January,” released this week,represents a unique creative space for both artists,described as the closest Kristopher Schau has come to a true solo album.
A Chance Encounter, Decades in the Making
The story of Schau.Schou began with whispers. Kristopher Schau, a familiar face in Norwegian radio, television, podcasts, and a veteran of numerous rock bands, first heard rumors of a musical namesake in Fredrikstad in the late 1990s. Adding to the intrigue, both musicians shared a brother named Alexander with a passion for football. “We had to do something together. It was too stupid not to,” Schau remarked.
However, a collaboration wouldn’t materialize for decades. The pair finally connected two years ago at Litteraturhuset in Fredrikstad. schau, recognizing his counterpart, simply asked if he could share a demo. Within three days, Schou responded, sending back nearly finished sketches with a succinct assessment: “fat!”
the “Settled” Sound of Schau.Schou
since that initial exchange, frequent trips to Christoffer Schou’s Fredrikstad home – a space doubling as both a living room and a studio – have fueled the duo’s creative process.The resulting EP, “January,” is a testament to their relaxed approach.Listeners can almost hear the ambient sounds of everyday life woven into the music.
Schau describes the project as a departure from his more boisterous past,noting that in Schau.Schou, “both nudity and screaming are off the shelf.” the duo’s sound is built on acoustic guitars,analog synthesizers,and vintage keyboards,creating a stripped-down aesthetic. Schou, who has a background in producing advertising music and playing in bands like Doopy and Navigators, characterizes the music as having influences from artists like Nick Cave and The Velvet Underground, with a distinctly down-to-earth vibe.
A Unique Creative Dynamic
The creative process itself is as unique as the music. Schou explains that Schau’s initial contributions were often “sketches where he sings as low as he can so as not to bother the neighbor.” Schou then interpreted these quiet sketches, recognizing the songwriting talent within. “It was when I heard these sketches where he sings softly that I realized how good a songwriter he was,” Schou stated.
This dynamic led to a playful tension, with Schau occasionally pushing for even more subdued vocals. “I had to go down to Fredrikstad an extra time to mumble.’How does it sound if it does end a little lower singing’ he asked several times,” Schau recalled. “In the end I had to put a stop to it and say: ‘now we have to calm down.'”
The duo’s approach extends to their live performances, where Schou jokingly suggests they will likely stand while the audience remains seated.”We are a very ‘settled’ band,” Schau affirmed, emphasizing their preference for a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.
Looking Ahead
Despite juggling multiple projects – Schau admits to having “a hell of a lot of songs that don’t fit anywhere in the other projects” he’s involved in – Schau.Schou reportedly has several EPs in the pipeline. Schou is lauded as an incredibly productive musician,a fact Schau readily acknowledges: “He is one of the most productive people I have come across. It’s almost a bit absurd.”
ultimately, Schau.Schou feels like a natural culmination of Schau’s artistic journey. “All my songs are made on acoustic guitar and sung into the sofa,” he explained. “so this project is much closer to the core of myself than the other ones I do.” He playfully summarizes the project as “our first solo album,” a sentiment Schou echoes, acknowledging the unique and somewhat paradoxical nature of their collaborative effort.
Kristopher schau and Christoffer Schou are awarded flowers by the record company after releasing the EP January. Photo: Philip A. Johannesborg / NRK.
