Interview: North Ship - Plastic House

North Ship is singer, guitarist and songwriter Tom Golzen, and drummer Francis Nørgaard Jensen. Tom has been pro, semi-pro and then enthusiastic amateur for 110 years and even got signed to EMI Germany as a songwriter back in the ‘90s. Francis is a hugely respected veteran of the Copenhagen rock and jazz scene and is the “go to” drummer for those in the know about his awesome talents. North Ship has existed in various forms since 2013. The style has evolved from quiet, atmospheric acoustic-based songs featuring a cello, double bass guitar with no drummer to its current line-up.

By Kamil Bobin

Discovered via Musosoup

What strengths do you have that you believe make you a great musician?

I don’t think I’m a great musician! I’m proud of North Ship and I think we’re getting better and better, but that’s more to do with group chemistry and resilience than any natural talent of mine.

What is your dream project?

I’d sell my granny to work with someone like Charlotte Gainsbourgh or Nick Cave.

Your latest track is 'Plastic House'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?

Well, we had about four attempts at it over the space of about a year and the previous three sound quite different. We always felt there was something there, though. I’m glad we stuck at it!

What makes you angry?

Bullying.

What is the most surprising fact you’ve learnt about yourself?

I’m not so bad after all.

What do you dislike about your work?

It takes me ages to get songs 100% finished. I really have to work on them. You hear so much about how artists banged out some huge hit in 10 minutes after coming back from the pub. Not me…

What is one message you would give to your fans?

One love.

Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it?

Yes. I try to live in the present.

What do you think is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen or experienced?

My kids happy and getting on with each other.

What are your plans for the future?

We’re rehearsing a set now. We’d like to play more live concerts – venues and vfestivals in sunny places, don’t be shy:)