Original Article By Knut Utler - (Translation by Sabine Clement) A-ha return after seven years Tomorrow, the new studio album will be released. a-ha are back, seven years after their previous album. And the band has an impressive back-up team. 'Minor Earth, Major Sky' will be launched with a lot of hustle and bustle, the next couple of days in Paris. Tonight, the album will be presented, and on Friday and Saturday, a-ha will be interviewed by everyone, from Norwegian newspapers to Brazilian TV. "The interest is enterily satisfactory," says Erling Johannessen, the band's Norwegian manager. "Among many others, even a team from the Brazilian TV-station Globo will be present. They will make a report for a show which reaches at least 50 million viewers," Johannessen tells. Seven years have passed wince the previous release. To make a comeback after so long a time, is like having to start all over again. The difference is that this time around, with the release of 'Minor Earth, Major Sky', a-ha have a big and solid machinerey behind them. "The band has a contract with WEA Germany - Warners' German branch. Many of the suits there, are the same people who worked with a-ha in the eighties. The priority they give a-ha now, is impossible to match. They are given as much attention as Madonna, for example, and the company has set up an immense radio and TV-advertising campaign," Johannessen says. "At this moment, we focus on Europe, Asia and South America. This last region is a logical choice, after all they were very big in Brazil, Argentina and Chile. When it comes to the USA, we have different plans. I won't go into details about those yet, right now. There are a few things which have to click into place first." "Does all this mean that it is easy to 'sell' the band?" "It's not so difficult. In those regions where the (promo) single is getting attention already, there is an interest in the band. But not really because of their comeback. There is an interest because they've delivered a good song." He is one of the few people who have heard the entire album, and thinks that there are many songs which also a younger audience may come to like. According to Johannessen, the members of a-ha are extremely excited and enthusiastic. But are they prepared to put in the tremendous effort it takes to get there, again? "They are. But we have to realize that they are no longer 22 years old. Back in 1985, you could send them from here to there, every day of the month. Today, you can do so for only twenty days a month. They need some time to breathe, they have kids, families to spend time with." a-ha have an agreement for three releases. But whether the next two will see the light of day depends on the success of 'Minor Earth, Major Sky'. "When it sells poorly, we have to ask ourselves if there's any point in making two more." "What do you think?" "I believe that they will reconquer those territories where they were big before. We will accomplish at least that. Everything else that happens, will be a bonus," Johannessen says. Even when a-ha is now by far the most important thing, all three wish to continue their respective solo carreers. There is talk about a world tour in late fall this year and next year. There have already been many inquiries about concert performances.
By the end of the week, a-ha's comeback album will be presented in Paris. Hopefully, the band will appear to be in a better mood, there.
In the old days, a-ha had wall advertisements even in the USA.
Kings of Norwegian pop [translator's note: the picture shows the Norwegian Royal Palace in the background]