“It will all be a treat, from beginning to end” : Best Fit speaks to Mikhael Paskalev

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Mikhael Paskalev has certainly got us talking over the past few months.

Firstly, thanks to his recent video for track ‘I Spy’, featuring the Norway native prancing around and trashing his nice new apartment wearing just a shirt and some tighty whiteys. Then ‘Jive Babe’, the second track to appear from the LIPA trained musician was just so darn catchy that we knew we’d come across someone very special. As such, Paskalev and his band were cordially invited to take part in London’s finest Nordic music showcase Ja Ja Ja, and so he’s currently preparing himself to make his way to London. Only there’s been a bit of a mishap. ”I’m currently walking on crutches,” Paskalev responds, when innocently asked how he is as a way of starting off the interview. “We just finished off a month long tour, celebrated with a playfight, a torn off knee and another member’s broken rib. All in the name of love!”

Confident that he’ll be back on track for Thursday, we veer our conversation away from off-stage antics and move on to discuss the finely crafted sound that has made Paskalev’s show at The Lexington this week the hottest ticket in town. It’s an irresistible sound that the songwriter describes as “bastardized soul mixed with a bit of rock ‘n’ roll and good ol’ gospel,” a sound that has garnered Paskalev and his band a loyal following and a huge amount of attention over the past year. ”Yeah, they have been crazy,” Mikhael says of the past 12 months. “Good crazy. I guess the highlight would be shooting a music video in my Dad’s village in Bulgaria – we felt like outlaw movie makers. And all the gigs throughout the year, the peak being in Bergen.”

Growing up in the northern Norwegian town of Ålesund, music was the main form of entertainment for the young Paskalev – although his initial efforts would prove to be quite far removed from the sound he has honed today. “I remember trying to write hip-hop tunes as a kid,” he comments. “Can’t for the life of me remember exactly what my message was, but it mostly revolved around gangsters, b-ball and the hood. Funny considering where I grew up…”

Norwegian is not the only blood running through Paskalev’s veins however, with his Dad hailing from Bulgaria and a three year stint in Liverpool having also added to his musical make up. “I guess the place I grew up wasn’t too healthy music wise,” he says of his home town of Ålesund, ”nothing happened there but it made me spend a lot of time in my room fiddling with music. Which is great. Bulgaria is not really a healthy music scene, so I wouldn’t give that a mention, but Liverpool was three very good years. I never did anything else but music!”

On to Liverpool then, the city where Paskalev spent three years studying his art at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts and collaborating with other musician residents of the town such as Joe Wills and fellow Norwegian Jonas Alaska. “I met them in Liverpool,” he explains. “Me and Jonas have been playing together now for over four years. Joe was added to the outfit a little later and then became my producer as well, shortly thereafter. He’s a dude and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” And when questioned as to why LIPA appears to be such an attractive proposition to Norwegian musicians such as himself and Jonas Alaska, Paskalev dryly responds, “I think LIPA appreciates the safe economical situation that Norway has. Easy as that.”

A very different sounding scene to the one in which he was raised, it could well be argued that Liverpool was instrumental in injecting a sense of its famous rock ‘n’ roll swagger into Paskalev’s oeuvre. But what is it like being a musician in Norway – is it a healthy scene in which to be making music? ”Well I guess it is healthy,” Paskalev responds. “A lot of people attend gigs and support whatever’s good in Norway. There is definitely a sound, but I wouldn’t say I am a part of it. Norway has a lot of potential, and I think everyone knows that it has far from peaked yet. We’re quite the underdog, which makes it all more exciting.” Going on to mention his peers, Paskalev helpfully unveils a list of other Norwegian acts that we should be keeping an eye on. “Billie Van is great,” he says, “I am slightly biased since she plays in my band, but she’s got fire – she’s currently recording her debut album. Susanne Sundfør is a different ball-game but she’s none the less great!”

The latest track to have appeared and made waves for Paskalev is a rousing, off kilter rock ‘n’ roll number by the name of ‘Jive Babe’, a slanted love song inspired by Twin Peaks’ resident siren, Audrey Horne. ”I am indeed a big Twin Peaks fan, even though the character Bob has seriously scarred me for life,” says Paskalev, describing where he finds inspiration for his lyrics. “I am a big film-geek in general, so I guess that inspires me a lot. Otherwise, just cheesy things like life and the weather.”

To witness a Mikhael Paskalev live show is to watch an incredibly confident, charismatic performer. A vocalist who sings so naturally and soulfully that it would seem that the boy’s been doing it since birth. So was growing up to become a musician always the plan? ”Yeah pretty much,” he reflects. “Either that or a policeman/crook. I always felt confident in what I was doing but I guess it’s only the last year or two that I realised how it could be done.” Going on to hint towards what to expect from the band’s London performance on Thursday, Paskalev comments on the party inducing feel of his concerts, which sees the stage adorned with six extremely blessed musicians who craft seamless harmonies and melodies, and capture Paskalev’s off beat timings with prowess and precision. ”I think we do have a really good time when we play together, and it seems to rub off on the audience,” he says. “We’re just a bunch of mates playing a rock ‘n’ roll show.”

As much fun as the set may be, it’s Paskalev’s voice that’s sure to steal the show, swaying from smooth, enchanting delicacy to a howling croon in a heartbeat. His songs are a fusion of eclectic influences and revamped genres, so what’s the golden rule for creating a Mikhael Paskalev song? ”If I like it and get a kick out of it, then it’s good enough,” he responds.”I try to spend as little time as possible thinking about what others might feel about it. I think it’s healthy to be egotistical when it comes to songwriting, and not to compromise a vision.”

It’s a method that’s worked exceptionally well so far, with Norway having already fallen at Paskalev’s feet and with London set to do the same when he takes/hobbles to the stage at the Ja Ja Ja showcase. Provided there are no more medical mishaps along the way, what’s next? ”First off it is to finish off this album with a big smile on my face,” he replies. “I am not overly ambitious, just a bit of a hard worker and whatever happens from it is great! The album will be done in January, the exact release date is not yet confirmed. It will all be a treat, from beginning to end.”

Mikhael Paskalev will play the Ja Ja Ja showcase on 25 October at London’s The Lexington. Also playing is Iceland’s Ólöf Arnalds and Finland’s The New Tigers. Limited tickets will be available on the door, so arrive early to avoid disappointment. For more information about the showcase, head to the Ja Ja Ja Facebook event page.