What’s a night out on the town without duct tape?
Jarle Bernhoft had the same thought, when he was drinking with the boys, before his eyes landed on Kurt Nilsen (44). Then he spotted a pillar that was also placed in the middle of the room, and the rest is history.
Now the duo opens up about a special moment, which is unlikely to be forgotten in the near future.
Or, that cannot be said for all parties involved.
Debuts as a judge
Friday marks the premiere of yet another season of The Voice, where Bernhoft is one of the judges who will decide the fate of several contestants. For the very first time, he debuts as a mentor, but reveals that he was skeptical:
– I think The Voice is the most likable music program there is. Now I have been skeptical about music and competition together, he tells Good morning Norway and continues:
JUDGE: In the eighth season of the Voice, Jarle Bernhoft makes his debut as a judge. Photo: Thomas Andersen/TV 2
– But when I was asked, I thought I had to check it out. I haven’t watched much TV so I watched older seasons – and this seemed like fun. I envisioned slipping nicely into the gang, and it seemed alluring.
Nilsen is also no stranger to music programs on TV, but a lot has changed since his Idol audition in 2003. Back then, the judging panel was known to be a bit stricter with the participants, and you had to have tough skin.
See his Idol audition and the reaction 20 years later in the clip below.
– Fortunately, things have changed quite radically, emphasizes the 44-year-old, and continues:
– I am glad that there has been a slightly softer approach to people, then. It is clear that it is no fun, and it does not give the young hopefuls any self-confidence by raking them down.
He further explains that you want to make them shine, and that there is hardly anything more fun than hearing something that no one else has heard.
– It is very different from what it was before.
The pub stunt
Bernhoft states that he does not feel any form of intoxication when he sits in the chair, but that he primarily looks for talent.
Jarle Bernhoft becomes a new mentor in “The Voice”
– I think more that these are potentially people who will be in our position in a few years, and it is something that must be managed. I am so happy that the sensibility around feedback has become completely different and has been a revolution. Compared to when we were kids ourselves. I am incredibly happy about that.
In addition, the two musicians know each other from before, and have a bit of a robbery story from 20 years ago, which they both remember.
Or, not Nilsen, then. It was probably a little too good atmosphere.
And that story has three keywords: Duct tape, a wall and Kurt Nilsen.
This is the story, according to Bernhoft:
PILS LEAD TO.. TAPE?: Bernhoft and his friends taped Kurt Nilsen to a pillar. Photo: Good morning Norway
– We had a Tuesday party with friends of ours in a band, together with Kurt. We were in a pub where there was a pillar, and someone – not me – decided that. I was involved in the implementation that we would tape Kurt, so he would hang on top of that pillar, he says with a laugh, and continues:
– We wrapped duct tape around Kurt, and gave him elbow room to drink beer. So he hung around like a seventh father in the house, and seemed like he was very gentle. But I hope Kurt remembers this story fondly, and that he didn’t feel it was crap afterwards.
And when Nilsen hears this, his version comes:
– I don’t remember that at all. So I think there must have been an extremely good atmosphere that night.
Kurt Nilsen about the grandfather role: – Very nice
Furthermore, he says that there was a time when they went around with duct tape and did funny pranks, but that this story was new to him.
– We got to know each other well, he laughs.
– We had to take it for a spin and buy you beer, since you couldn’t get rid of the stain, Bernhoft shoots back.
Found back to love
It has been six years since Nilsen came out with new music, but now he returns with the song “Get Moving Too”, which is a reminder that an ended relationship is not the end of everything.
COMING OUT WITH NEW MUSIC: Now Kurt Nilsen releases a new song. Photo: Thomas Andersen/TV 2
– There is no time pressure to release music, but it has been that I have had Christmas concerts every year. When you get to January, you are determined that you will release music, he says.
But then comes the write lock, and other obstacles that stand in the way.
– But now it has been good to sit down in the studio and enjoy those moments. This leads to sweet music.
And sweet music it has become. He recently found his way back to his ex-girlfriend, Oda Rivrud – one year after the breakup.
Kurt Nilsen has found his way back to his ex-girlfriend
– It didn’t happen like yesterday. It was probably almost a year ago, so it’s not something I’m flagging too much about.
You can watch the premiere of season eight of The Voice on TV 2 Direkte and TV 2 Play.
