Two Crush with Frøydis Nikita Nygaard Sveen
Two Crush with Frøydis Nikita Nygaard Sveen
The time is 18:00 on a Monday, and it's quiet in the brightly lit room of Halvor’s apartment as I walk in to meet the eager, music-loving, and industrious Ivar member, sound technician, MINA student, and 1999 model Frøydis Nikita Nygaard Sveen, who has already taken a seat in the lounge area. In my tote bag, I have a pen, a notebook, and two cans of mango and passion fruit Crush, as requested, with the explanation that it’s an easy drink to enjoy. It also proves to be a good way to get the conversation started, so that both I and you readers can get to know this very open and busy woman a little better.
Journalist: Mathilde Runge Christensen
Photographer: Thale Jensen Hevrøy
Translator: Vegard Sjaastad Hansen
The first thing we start talking about on the black leather sofa at Halvor’s is Frøydis' story in Ås, which dates back to 2019 when she decided to start studying ecology and natural management. She has always loved animals and would definitely consider herself in the “horse girl plus” category. "It’s a passion," she says while sipping her passion fruit drink. "I was actually supposed to go to the Fjord Horse European Championship, but my horse got injured," she tells me sadly. When Frøydis says that her horse is actually named Miss Frøydis, I don’t believe her at first, but she explains that the name was decided before she got the fjord horse at age 12. She cultivated her passion for horses the year after high school in the equine program at Fjordane Folk High School in Nordfjordeid.
It was actually there that she indirectly had her first encounter with sound engineering. Frøydis tells me how, as head of the horse show at the school, she fell off a horse just weeks before the show, shattering the right side of her face and breaking her thigh bone. As a result, she was obliged to stay put and take charge of the music for the riding performance. Frøydis comes across as someone who has always enjoyed creating festive occasions around her. She also continued her interest in animals through hard work in a summer job at Langedrag. During her bachelor’s studies, Frøydis developed a love for reptiles and tropical ecology, but life had other plans, and she’s now working on a master’s in nature-based tourism, which she enjoys. However, the IVAR name will always remain Reptilequs—elegantly combining reptile and horse.
The choice of Halvor’s as a meeting place is not entirely random; "I really like this room at Samfunnet," says Frøydis. "It’s a very intimate concert and dance venue, and there’s quite a bit of sound equipment stored here," she says with a glint in her eye. Sound has always meant a lot to Frøydis. Music and singing have always been a part of her life, but it wasn’t until she came to Ås and actively chose to explore her talents that she realized just how passionate she really was. "I’ve always just sung; in the shower, in the car, in front of my mom and dad. I sang karaoke for myself during COVID, in my apartment," says Frøydis naturally, reflecting on whether it’s because, as an only child, she grew up in a home filled with music and a family tradition of violin playing from Hallingdal. She started taking violin lessons at the age of six. "I’m most fond of music from the ’60s and ’70s, especially The Who. ‘Money’ by Pink Floyd was the first song I learned on the bass." Today, she’s interested in trying out various instruments. She feels most comfortable with the bass and violin, but also has harmonica, guitar, and keyboard. "I most often return to the bass; it’s actually here at the student society now, as we played with IVARband during choir weekend."
The Ås community has given her room to explore her musicality, and we frequently touch on her role as the Rocker in IVARband. The story of how Frøydis joined IVAR involves an Ivar member who previously lived in her shared house, who managed to persuade her to join. It was likely both the singing, baking, and the flowery dresses that appealed to Frøydis, even though she rarely wears dresses otherwise. "I feel like I’ve found my alter ego in IVAR," Frøydis laughs. "I baked really fancy macarons for my audition." She also shares how nervous she was about singing in front of others; "I’ve always had stage fright, but there are moments when I manage to enjoy being on stage when I play bass!" In addition to being a Rocker, Frøydis has been involved as both Show Director, Party Organizer, Cake Baker, IVAR FOU, DJ Diva, Game Organizer, Lawn Course Organizer, and this year has also served as the IVAR and Rævnes bar manager during UKEsløyfa.
Maybe it was her experience at the folk high school, combined with her interest in music and the COVID period, that prompted Frøydis to sign up as assistant sound tech during UKA 2020. "I had never touched a cable before," she giggles. "I learned very slowly at first, but now that I know how, I’m a perfectionist and take great pride in making the sound as good as possible during performances." So it’s perhaps not surprising that Frøydis chose to write her master’s thesis on how sounds in nature affect the experience of nature. Making the sound positions at the student society and during UKA something that many people can enjoy as a volunteer effort has been one of Frøydis' goals as sound engineering lead. "People need to feel comfortable, and I think I’m pretty good at convincing others to volunteer—I was placed in ‘Slytherin’ last time I took the HP house quiz." Frøydis is very clear that good sound is subjective, both for the audience and herself. "It’s not easy to get good sound in all the rooms at the student society. Take Aud Max, for example, the acoustics there are terrible. That’s the ‘Aud Max factor.’"
Frøydis is very clear about not being afraid to speak her mind, and she enjoys the company of people who like to talk and discuss their opinions. She says that she often takes other perspectives in a discussion to learn about others' views because she’s curious. "I often talk before I think, and when I read, I’m usually in a hurry and ‘make up’ words as I go along. Mom calls it lazy dyslexia," says Frøydis. She also explains that she’s both an introvert and an extrovert—a so-called ambivert: "I really enjoy being alone, but I also love being the center of attention in big social settings." At the same time, she admits that she’s afraid of getting bored, which luckily is hard in Ås, according to her. She attributes this fear to how important time is to her—both living in the moment and not looking back and regretting things she didn’t do. When we talk about how Frøydis likes to live, we touch on FOMO. She is one of the few people I’ve met who believes FOMO is positive when we talk about being engaged on multiple fronts in the Ås bubble: "It just means that you want to be involved in things, and that what’s happening around you is fun to join." However, she admits that she can sometimes struggle to say no.
Frøydis enjoys taking responsibility and making things happen. Nonetheless, she tells me that there’s a limit to her energy and engagement. She can count three times where she’s "hit a wall" during her studies, either because friends have seen she needs a break, or she’s noticed it herself. Frøydis manages to turn this into something positive; "I think it’s good to hit a wall, to a certain degree, in moderation," she clarifies. It makes one reflect on the choices they make and how they spend their time, and it’s a way to get to know oneself better! She also believes that it’s actually important to experience this during one’s studies: "Here, you often have a safer support system, and the consequences are less than if you hit a wall for the first time in the workplace." She thinks that hitting a wall provides valuable lessons about one’s limitations and encourages a little crash now and then (within safe limits). Since Frøydis has a lot on her calendar, she also values time and prioritizes the things that bring her joy and are important to her. "In that sense, I believe time is more valuable than money!" This is something everyone can take into their everyday lives, surrounded by everything trying to steal our attention—be present, and enjoy your time as a student while you can!
Greetings
Dear Frøydis,
You are a ray of sunshine, and it’s a joy to work with you, no matter how early we start or how long the days get! You have a unique ability to make even the most routine tasks, like counting cables and organizing equipment, into something fun and enjoyable.
We in the events team are incredibly lucky to have you on board! You always bring a positive energy and infectious optimism that lifts everyone around you, whether in small everyday moments or during our busiest times. You are truly an inspiration and a great support for everyone in the sound crew and the team. You always show up with a smile and give your all to keep both tasks and challenges running smoothly.
It’s reassuring to know we have someone like you who’s always ready to work hard, fight, and make sure we’re all taken care of. Without you, it just wouldn’t be the same, and we couldn’t ask for a better teammate and friend.
Thank you for everything you bring to both the work and the people around you—you are truly a very special friend and colleague. We look forward to sharing many more wonderful moments with you in the future and are incredibly grateful for the joy of getting to know you!
Hugs from the Events Team, UKA in Ås 2024 (The World’s Best Team) <3
Dear Frøydis Reptilequs,
Our lively Alterinne with an unstoppable drive! Whether it’s for IVAR, Samf, or friends, you’re always there with a smile and calming control.
Since joining IVAR three years ago, you’ve been so engaged and contributed so much! We’ve all grown so fond of you, and the choir benches won’t be the same the day you set off on new adventures. We’ve seen you shine in many roles, including Rockerinne, Festerinne, DJ-Diva, and Lekerinne. Not everyone could convince all the choirs in Ås to form bands for choir weekend, but when you get an idea, there’s no stopping you. You always give 100%, and we’re so proud of you!
You’re incredibly easy to talk to, and this is no secret around Ås. If anyone is going somewhere with you, they’d better be prepared to stop and chat with every other person you meet!
IVAR is richer with you as a fellow Ivarinne, and we’re endlessly grateful to have you as one of us.
Dandelions and summer sun :P
Bubbly and cheerful, a hundred times hurrah!
In two brown frames, you shall now stand, as a work of Art Nouveau
Kisses and glitter sprinkles
Pikekoret IVAR
Dear Frøydis,
You’d have to search far and wide to find someone more engaged and lively! When we meet at band or choir practice, it’s not unusual to hear that you’ve been up all night working on a sketch or learning a new song on bass. Maybe that’s why it seems like you have twice as many hours in the day as the rest of us.
In the IVAR band, we’ve had the pleasure of playing with you for several years now. Some recurring phrases are, “CAN YOU BE QUIET, I NEED TO TUNE,” “Isn’t this ghost note cool?” (we have no idea what you’re talking about), or “I’m just turning up the bass a bit more,” even though the whole room is already shaking. You’re a woman who stands her ground, and your creative vision is not something anyone would want to go against. But it’s all good, because you’re usually right anyway. <3 You’re incredibly talented, both musically and organizationally; you make sure everyone’s involved and play to each person’s strengths. As a true show-woman, you love being on stage, and that joy and confidence rub off on the rest of us. We couldn’t ask for a better Rockerinne!
Everyone should have someone like you in their corner. You’re incredibly caring, supportive, hilarious, rowdy, and always ready for a party, a cup of tea, or a jam session. We’re so lucky to call you our friend. <3
Thank you for all the adrenaline-filled shows we’ve played, the magical moments backstage before and after, and especially all the band practices we’ve had with pounding hangovers. We love you, Frøydis!!! <3
