Media Credit: Courtesy of Sondre Lerche Norwegian singer/songwriter Sondre Lerche, now enjoying success in North America, most recently scored the soundtrack to "Dan in Real Life."

Media Credit: Courtesy of Sondre Lerche Sondre Lerche has garnered critical acclaim for his folk/pop work in recent years. Lerche's work on "Dan in Real Life," in addition to scoring, included a collaboration with singer/songwriter Regina Spektor.

Sondre Lerche is one of the most important, creative and engaging songwriters of this generation. His ability to blend influences of the past with current inspirations and his own inventions sets his work apart and gives him a uniqueness that attracted director Peter Hedges to name Lerche composer for the score to "Dan in Real Life." As Lerche sets out on his North American tour this winter, his career that has been years in the making is gaining much-deserved kudos and critical acclaim across the country. The Daily Texan interviewed the musician before his performance last Friday at The Parish.

The Daily Texan: Was there a difference for you in working on the soundtrack to "Dan In Real Life" compared to the work you do on your own solo albums?

Sondre Lerche: Yeah, it was really different, and I really liked that because I've done four full albums, and it was really refreshing to approach a new musical project that just needed a completely different approach.

When you're a solo artist, it's all about yourself, all about what you want to do, how you express yourself and be true to yourself. You surround yourself with all of these musicians who help you express yourself. In this I was on the other side, and in certain parts of the film, I was the guy trying to help out the director with what [he] wanted the music to be here, what [he] wanted this to sound like.

It made me think about a lot of things. It was challenging because I had to do some things that I've never done before, especially in terms of the score - the director wanted everything very simple, acoustic and handmade. I just loved working in a team. Getting up and [working] on this - I felt like I had a real job or something!

DT: What motivated you to work on a compilation like this?

SL: Generally, with movies, you hear all these pop songs that they just throw in, all these cliches, all these songs you've heard in 10 different films before.

I've seen a lot of good films that I've liked less because it's tiring to hear all these songs that just don't fit well with the personality of the film. The lyrics are either too on-the-nose or make no sense in the film at all, and it's just confusing if you listen to what people are singing.

It felt fantastic for me to really tailor-make music that I could relate to and also that Peter Hedges felt related to the film in some way. Whether it was instrumental music or songs with words, we worked really hard to try all kinds of combinations that we all loved and felt was fitting.

DT: And what about your work with New York songstress Regina Spektor on the song "Hell No"?

SL: Oh, it was wonderful! You know, that song is supposed to be sort of a conversation, and it's supposed to not be just cutesy and romantic. With most great female singers of today it could easily, no matter how good they are, be just another cutesy dreck.

I needed someone who could bring some aggression and some street smartness to the song. Immediately I thought of Regina, and Peter was a huge fan of Regina as well. She heard about the song and the film and just went for it. I was so happy about that. She came in the studio and was just lovely, and we recorded the vocals live together in just a couple of hours. She is one of the greatest performers and songwriters on the planet right now.

DT: Did you imagine you would be so accomplished at this age?

SL: I've just been so fortunate to be able to travel the world and play my music and share it with people in all kinds of ways. To take it in this direction, you can't really predict or even dream up the things I find happen to me. I found myself sitting on the set with Dane Cook and Steve [Carell] playing 'Let My Love Open the Door' on set. I was playing my guitar off camera, and I was helping Steve figure out how to fake playing the guitar, and we did take upon take upon take - I was like, 'Wow, if all is downhill from here, I played guitar with Steve Carell on camera!'

DT: What do you think of your success in Norway?

SL: It's a small country, so it's pretty easy to be recognized by everyone. I've been very fortunate with my career in Norway, but in the last couple of years, I've spent more and more time in America, especially working on 'Dan' - most of that was in New York - so I find that if I spend too much time here, maybe they'll forget me! You need to keep your face out there in Norway; every now and then I have to go home and play shows or do a TV show.

Of course it's very exciting for me to have written music for this film. It's coming out in Norway in January and I can't wait to show it to all of my friends.

DT: How are you enjoying your time here in the States? Do you have a favorite place?

SL: Austin, of course, is a great music city, and Seattle is beautiful. L.A. is a good place to go, especially when you have something to do there.

Of course I've been in New York for the past few years, and it's my favorite place to be. You can always just shut the door and stay in for days, listening to music and writing, watching a movie. You know, all these things that sound really, really weird to anyone who has an office job. I find New York to be great that way. And also if you want to go out there and be part of it, you know, you just go out there!

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