“Drown the TB-303 in a sea of feathers and mix it with hypnotic echoes and techno beats…” New Ovum Recordings signing Charlie Thorstenson introduces his music.
Who are you?
Charlie Thorstenson, from Malmö Sweden. Sometimes Charlie Dont Surf, but from now on mostly Charlie Thorstenson.
What do you sound like?
If you drown the TB-303 in a sea of feathers and mix it with hypnotic echoes and techno beats, then you should be pretty close to my sound.
Why should we listen to you?
I bring a lot of warmth and heart into my music. The techno/club genre can be very cold and mechanical, but it can also be welcoming and organic.
What have you released so far? What else have you got coming out in the near future?
So far I’ve released music under my Charlie Dont Surf guise. I have an album called Storms Ahead on Einmusika, and two EPs on Planet Rhythm: Diamanter and Charcoal Grey (…and more under that name).
I’m just about to release my EP Svart on one of my absolute favourite labels Ovum Recordings. It will be the first under my real name, Charlie Thorstenson.
What song sums you up? Why?
If we’re gonna go with one of my own, it has to be ‘Charcoal Grey’. Dark and moody as the Swedish winter. For like seven months a year we wait for the sun to come back. It’s a love/hate relationship. The short days somehow trigger a lot of inspiration. This track is 100% me during this period… Not depressing, just moody.
And if its to be from another artist… Sebastian Mullaert – ‘Direct Experience (Wa Wu We remix)’. This track really breathes. It’s so organic and alive. I often listen to this track while while I’m out walking around in the city. It makes me calm and very inspired. This is probably the track that got me into the more hypnotic side of techno. This is for the soul.
What or who is your biggest influence and why?
Somehow my biggest influences are all from Sweden. Sebastian Mullaert, Marcus Henriksson (both from Minilogue), TM-404(!!) and Dorisburg. They all create warm, moving music with a lot of personality.
Where can we hear your music?
I would check out my SoundCloud and of course Beatport, Juno and all other good music stores. For those special unreleased tracks and versions you’ll have to catch me live!
Where will you be in five years’ time?
My (realistic) dream is to have a studio outside the city, closer to nature. So whenever I’m not out playing DJ sets or live sets, you’ll probably find me in there.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
I am a part owner of a hair-salon in central Malmö. Its a different way of setting my creativity free. But my heart lies with music.
Charlie Thorstenson’s Svart EP is out now on Ovum Recordings. Find him on Facebook, Instagram and SoundCloud.