Original Article By Stein Ostbo - (Translation by Cindy Kandolf) Film director Harald Zwart wants to feature a-ha's "Velvet" in his upcoming Hollywood debut. This will give a-ha a good leg-up when they set out to reconquer the American market this spring.Zwart himself indirectly confirmed this during last weekend's Amanda show from Haugesynd, where "Velvet" was among the songs used as background music for the trailer Harald Zwart had created for his upcoming Hollywood-debut, "One Night at McCool's". The film will feature big names like Michael Douglas, Liv Tyler, Matt Dillon and John Goodman.
"We're in closing discussions with the film's producers. I'd say it's 90% certain that 'Velvet' will be in the movie," a-ha's manager Brian Lane confirmed to VG.
"I have the impression that Harald has made a good movie with good names. If it's a hit, obviously that can be positive for everyone involved, including a-ha," he says.
"Velvet" - featuring vocals by Simone from d'Sound - was originally a song written by Paul Waaktaar-Savoy for his "family band" Savoy, but it was also included on a-ha's comeback album "Minor Earth, Major Sky".
No details are available concerning how "Velvet" will appear in the film, if the song will be a recurring theme, or if it will only open the film's soundtrack.
HARALD DECIDES
"It's entirely up to Harald," says Brian Lane.
According to Lane, no final decision has been made concerning whether 'Velvet' will be a-ha's first single for the American market. But as far as VG is aware, a-ha's American record company, Atlantic Records, wants to schedule the release of the single to coincide with the premiere of "One Night At McCool's". If this is the case, the single will be released sometime between February and early summer of next year.
"I'm very optimistic. I think a-ha is more in tune with the American market than they were in 1985. a-ha was ahead of their time in a way in the eighties. In addition, Atlantic is very enthusiastic and eager to work with a-ha," says Lane, who points to A1's new first place in England with a cover of a-ha's "Take On Me" as proof of a-ha's classic songwriting abilities.