Part 3 of our 4-part interview with Claus Berthelsen (NaïVe): soundscapes and aesthetics in the studio — plus the label collapse and legal fight that killed momentum.

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Part 3 (of 4) with Claus Berthelsen (Naïve) — diving deeper into Naïve’s creative process and the turning point where momentum vanished.

We talk about building soundscapes in layers while protecting the core of the song, and Claus’ view of music as an aesthetic practice: the art isn’t playing the note — it’s choosing the next one.

Then the hard reality: a label collapse that froze Naïve’s recordings and triggered a multi-year legal fight just to reclaim the music — a delay that killed creative energy and effectively broke the band as a working unit.

We also cover the “nothing happened” moment after the album release: no gigs, even rejecting a Roskilde offer because the band hadn’t existed for years.

➡️ Next month: Part 4 closes the Naïve mini-series.

Song fragments, 4-track demos and the making of Fish

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In episode #24 of The Far Distance Band Podcast, we’re back with Claus Berthelsen from Copenhagen band Naïve to dig into the seeds of the music. Where did the songs on Fish actually start? Claus talks about melodies arriving on late-night bike rides, trying (and failing) to copy other artists and accidentally writing something new, and sketching early ideas on a battered 4-track cassette recorder with a tiny drum machine keeping time. It’s a tour through the messy, very human side of songwriting – unfinished ideas, lost riffs, and the rare moments where everything suddenly clicks.

We also get into the sound of the finished record: working with guitarist/producer Hilmar Hassig, recording in borrowed spaces, layering guitars and vocals, and obsessing over details until the mixes still sound fresh decades later. Along the way, Klaus shares stories behind specific tracks, small real-life moments that turned into lyrics, and why he still feels a deep connection to this music today. If you love hearing how songs actually come to life – before they become “classics” – this episode is for you.

Part 1 of our 4-part interview with Danish rock icon Claus Berthelsen (Naïve).
Origins, post-punk Copenhagen, soundscapes, line-up changes, and the “Marble Afternoon” legacy.

The Far Distance Band Podcast is back — and we’re kicking off with a 4-part deep dive into Danish rock history.

In Part 1, we sit down with Danish rock icon Claus Berthelsen — songwriter, singer, and radio host — best known as the driving force behind Naïve.

We rewind to the early years: Copenhagen in the early 80s, post-punk energy, changing line-ups, and the moment the name Naïve lands. Claus shares what it’s like to carry a catalogue that still sounds fresh decades later — including the legacy of “Marble Afternoon”, and why the band never quite became as big as the songs deserved.

If you’re into songwriting, band chemistry, and the stories behind the sound, this one’s for you.

Time codes: 00:04:16 Introduction

00:11:35 The early years

➡️ Next month: Part 2 drops (the next phase of Naïve’s evolution).

Naïveofficial site: https://naive.dk/

Naïve onFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theoriginalnaive/

Naïve onInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theoriginalnaive/

Naïve onSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6FSDmz8mvH7FxYhDwsQBC6