Our next guest for our Sundowner. mix series is Norwegian based DJ and producer Tonchius. Co-pilot of Continually Records, which second release came out this summer, check out the interview we had with her.
Ines: Hi Tonje, how are you?
Tonje: Hi Ines, thanks for asking. A question I find challenging to answer these days, but I’m alive! I’m based (and sort of stuck) in Oslo at the moment, but it is a super nice place to be during the sunny summer. It never really gets dark up north this time of the year, which I really enjoy. There is walking distance whenever I fancy going for a swim in the ocean or to a lake in the woods, in addition to the city center. After a long lockdown, finally the city is starting to open again, although still with some limitations especially for nightlife, like a strictly no dancing policy and short opening hours. But it is starting to loosen up at least for open-air events, so that gives a feel of “normal”.
Ines: Could you tell me about your musical background? What kind of sounds did you grow up with and how do they inspire your sound now?
Tonje: I come from classical and jazz – as I played both the piano and the trombone until serious digging for records took all my dedication from 2015/2016. I was particularly interested in improvisation in jazz, and this is still a huge inspiration in the way I select and play records.
Ines: When playing a gig do you find it challenging to engage with the crowd?
Tonje: Normally no, as I very much feed on the energy from the crowd. Now the problem is rather how to keep the crowd seated, as there is strictly no dancing allowed, at least here in Oslo at the moment.
Ines: Which was the last podcast you enjoyed and can recommend to our readers?
Tonje: I really enjoyed and recommend the mix from Bowyer on BinarySound, such summery vibes!
Ines: Is there anything you would like to change or promote in the music industry?
Tonje: I wouldn’t change as such, but I hope that the self-centredness and constant chase for gigs that has very much been a big part of the industry, continues to fade away and create room for the music to evolve. There is so much new and top-notch music being released these days, setting the modern sound of house and techno. That is for me very exciting times to be part off!
Ines: Any projects or releases we should look out for?
Tonje: Me and Rub800 started a record label last year: ‘Continually Records’. The second release is coming out this summer.
Ines: Oh that’s great to hear! So, last question. If your record bag would have a personality, how would it be?
Good question. I don’t think I can describe it with a personality, but rather one with several moods and feelings. It’s happy, angry, raw, trippy, dark, optimistic and positive, melancholic and sad.
Ines: Thank you so much for your time and thoughts Tonje, we wish you all the best and looking forward to hear more of Continually Records.
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