On Saturday, the dinner table is set in honor of the man with the big voice in the fifth episode of Hver gang vi möstes.
Artist and songwriter Kristian Kristensen (30) is known for his unique falsetto voice and delicate and honest songs that have hit home with the Norwegian people.
In familiar style, it will be painful and poignant on Kjerringøy this round as well. Several of the artists have to wipe away tears when the guest of honor explains the background to one of his most famous releases, “Gressholmen”, from 2017.
TRIBUTES: It is artist and songwriter Kristian Kristensen who takes the guest of honor chair in Hver gang vi møtses’ fifth programme. From left: Isah, Bjørn Eidsvåg, Karoline Krüger, Kristian Kristensen, Ingebjørg Bratland, Freddy Kalas and Emma Steinbakken. Photo: Vegard Breie / TV 2
– Too bad
Kristensen found his calling in life at a young age – music. Soon the harstader was on The Voice stage, before he later hijacked a record deal and released his first EP.
All the way, his parents had cheered him on, and were one of the big supporters in his life.
Then the mother became seriously ill.
– She was diagnosed with cancer. We realized that it had spread so much that it could not be surgically removed, he shares candidly in Every time we meet.
Watch Kristensen share about the difficult period in the video at the top of the story.
CAREER: When Kristian Kristensen’s career took off, his mother became seriously ill. Photo: Ditlev Eidsmo / TV 2
Thus, “Gressholmen” was born when the mother was on her deathbed. A song that should act as a consolation, about a place where the two had shared many memories together.
– Just before she died, I thought it was such a nice way to remind her that our love will always be stored in nature. I thought there was something nice about it.
Kristensen remembers well the moment when his mother heard the song for the first time.
– Of course she thought it was absolutely beautiful, but at the same time it was far too painful. She and father sat together and they became a little quiet – and very moved. It is a beautiful thing, but at the same time it hurts too much, he says.
WROTE SONG: Kristian Kristensen wrote the song “Gressholmen” when his mother fell ill. Photo: Ditlev Eidsmo / TV 2
At the same time, the artist wanted to make a full-length album while he still had her in his life.
– I wanted to show her an album, because when I show mum and dad something I’ve made, they get so proud and happy. And that’s where a lot of my inspiration comes from. It always made me very giddy.
To be closer to his mother, the 30-year-old went home to Harstad to make the record in the boys’ room.
– It was a very strange period. One sees life slowly but surely wither away. I finished the record and showed her everything I had done. I made demos at home, and they were very proud and happy, of course, he says.
– Get really close to each other
When Kristensen later went to the capital to produce the album after the songs were finished, a worried phone call came from his older sister.
– My sister calls and says she is very worried about mum. And says she is starting to seem very weak and very tired. She was worried and wanted me to come home, he says.
WANTED TO FINISH: The artist wanted to finish the album while still having his mother in his life. Photo: Ditlev Eidsmo / TV 2
The singer was suddenly pulled in two directions. He wanted to finish the project so his mother could hear it, but at the same time wanted to go home.
A day later the phone rang again.
– My sister calls me and says that now mum has had a stroke. Then I thought: “Okay, now I have to get home”.
Freddy Kalas: – It broke me
Kristensen made it to the hospital where his mother was lying in the hospital bed.
– She lies there and is unable to talk, but she recognizes that I am in the room. She managed to open her eyes to see me, he recalls, and continues:
– We could no longer communicate via words, but still I felt that we got really close to each other. It’s very hard to describe why, but it was kind of beautiful.
The following day, Kristensen’s mother died.
– Fortunately, she had everyone around her.
– Because I grew up with that love, I feel deep down that everything will be fine. And that is so important, he concludes.
Watch Every time we meet on Saturdays at 20:00 on TV 2 Direkte, and whenever you want TV 2 Play.
