Part 2

From very deep/high/loud/quiet sounds to very long/short/simple/complex compositions - are there extremes in music you feel drawn to and what response do they elicit?

I am attracted to contrasts in music, as they often reflect the chaos and order in life. The interaction between extremes - such as deep and high, loud and quiet, or long and short - creates dynamic contrasts that engage the listener emotionally.

For instance, in films, a moment of silence is often followed by a sudden, loud sound to intensify suspense and elicit tension in us.

From symphonies and traditional verse/chorus-songs to linear techno tracks and free jazz, there are myriad ways to structure a piece of music. Which approaches work best for you – and why?

I think that each piece of music has its own purpose, and I enjoy experimenting with different structures to challenge traditional forms. I find it very exciting when a track surprises me with its structure, and I would like to incorporate more of this in my music.

When creating my compositions, I approach the process as if I'm working on a puzzle. I bring different parts together, connecting each part until I achieve a result that makes sense. This allows me to remain open to new ideas while creating something that resonates with me.
 
Could you describe your creative process on the basis of one of your pieces, live performances or albums that's particularly dear to you, please?

I think the track that resonates with me and other people the most is “Okno”, which I created in 2020. You can listen to it here:



This track is dear to me because it represents a period of exploration in my composition process, which led me toward my signature sound. Here, I experimented with up and down arpeggios and progressions, giving them the character of ascending and descending feelings through the piano. This composition consists of several piano layers that interact with each other to form a whole piece.

Performing "Okno" always feels special, even though the live version differs from the recorded version, as I only play the main melody layer during live performances. The connection I have with this piece makes this track dear to me, and I really enjoy playing it.
 
Sometimes, science and art converge in unexpected ways. Do you conduct “experiments” or make use of scientific insights when you're making music?

I don't directly use scientific insights in my music, but I think that science and music are inherently connected. I also find it very inspiring when artists create music or sound installations based on research by translating researched data into audio frequencies or creating generative data-driven compositions.

I've had the opportunity to collaborate with a company that specializes in creating music for psychedelic therapy. They integrate music and technology in a unique, personalized, and adaptive way, grounded in scientific principles.

For example, they consider how the intensity of the music should increase, which emotional states are appropriate for each section of the experience, and how to personalize the experience to achieve the desired effect on the brain during the therapy session managed through software and controlled by a certified caretaker.

I find such intersections between music, psychology, neuroscience, and technology fascinating.
 
How does the way you make music reflect the way you live your life? Can we learn lessons about life by understanding music on a deeper level?

I absolutely believe that we can learn lessons about life from music. For me, making music is a way to connect with my authentic self. I can feel this connection clearly when I create music.

In everyday life, it can be difficult to connect to my true self because of all the noise and external influences around. The process of making music helps me to be more in tune with myself, and I try to learn from this and bring this approach into everything else I do. In this sense, music serves as an anchor for me. I also think that things like practicing, discipline, and the struggles I experience while creating, as well as learning how to let go of these frustrations, can teach me how to react in some situations in my life.

Music has the power to help us experience life in a more authentic way, connect to our inner selves, better understand our feelings and find moments of peace and connection with others.
 
Do you feel as though writing or performing a piece of music is inherently different from something like making a great cup of coffee? What do you express through music that you couldn't or wouldn't in more 'mundane' tasks?

For me, playing or creating music is something that is different from any other tasks because it allows me to connect with myself in a way that I don't experience in other activities. There's something about the act of making music that feels like coming home, almost like being in contact with a part of myself that I don't access in the same way in other areas of my life.

I think part of what makes the creation of music unique compared to other tasks is its ability to involve emotions and experiences through sound frequencies in a way that is hard to replicate with other forms of activities. I feel that through music, I'm able to express things that I wouldn't be able to express through more mundane tasks.

That being said, there are some similarities between making a great cup of coffee and creating a piece of music. Both require a level of attention and care, and both can be enjoyed by others when done well. When you put a lot of effort and love into something, whether it's creating a great cup of coffee or composing a piece of music, the result becomes more enjoyable both for you as well as for others.

Every time I listen to "Albedo 0.39" by Vangelis, I choke up. But the lyrics are made up of nothing but numbers and values. Do you, too, have a song or piece of music that affects you in a way that you can't explain?

Music has the incredible ability to evoke something in us and affect us in ways that we can’t always explain. Sometimes, I enjoy listening to atonal music that challenges my sense of comfort and familiarity. I also like to listen to pioneers like the Norwegian composer Arne Norheim, or attend experimental music concerts and sound installations in Oslo, as this type of music affects me differently than traditional compositions.

But I also find myself deeply moved by beautiful and captivating works, such as music I recently discovered by the Japanese composer Takashi Yoshimatsu. His music touches me in a profound way, leaving me in awe.

If you could make a wish for the future – what are developments in music you would like to see and hear?

If I could make a wish for the future of music, I would like to see a change in the way society and the industry value and support musicians.

It can be difficult for independent artists to make a living from their work. I would like to see more support for artists and better platforms for sharing our music with fair payment for our work. I think that the music industry has a lot of potential for positive change, but it will require a shift in how we think, value and support artists.

As an independent musician myself, I have faced many challenges trying to make a living from my work, and I know that I am not alone in this struggle. I hope that in the future, we can create a more supportive environment for artists.