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JM#220 – Synne

Synne is part of the next generation of selectors coming through in Oslo, carrying a torch for all things Disco and House as she makes her way to the fore. Whether playing in the Schmooze and Brus ensemble or alongside Don Quan for Nightflight, she has been a regular fixture in Jaeger’s booth over the course of the last year and makes her way to the Jaeger mix today. 

The Oslo DJ brings an accessible sonic style to the recorded mix for the first time, hitting a  “playful” stride towards the dance floor. Familiar melodic motifs crop up in modernised four to floor rhythms. Funk-driven machine bass lines and disembodied vocal samples cut through the rollicking grooves, at times evoking that French filter sound or Norwegian space-disco epoch. It’s updated for contemporary dance floors in tracks that cut right to the core. 

While Synne has been a regular in our booths, we know very little of her backstory, and take the opportunity to get to know her a little better before her next visit

Hello Synne. It’s so nice to have you on the Jaeger Mix. While you’re no stranger at Jaeger, we know very little of your biography. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m a 27-year-old from Oslo. I recently moved back to Oslo and currently work as an officer in the Norwegian Defence. In 2017, I got my first DJ deck and started mixing and releasing mixtapes on SoundCloud. That evolved into a series of live mixtapes called “Funk it up.” I’ve always loved setting the mood at parties through music and started DJing in 2018. I was fortunate enough to play at Vinjerock (a festival high up in the mountains) and have since performed at various festivals and clubs. Besides music, I’m passionate about skiing and mountaineering, so combining music, festivals, and outdoor adventures has been an amazing experience!

You’ve been a presence in our booths for a while now. How did you arrive at this point as a DJ today?

My first introduction to the club scene was at Kulturhuset in Bergen in 2022—a fantastic space for great music and dancing. Jaeger holds a special place in my musical journey, as I’ve been dancing and finding inspiration here for years. I’d been DJing for a while when Kaman invited me to play in the Sauna in 2022. Back then, I’d never used CDJs or the Xone:92 mixer, so my mixing skills were mediocre, but it was so much fun to play! A few days later, I was asked to join the DJ Marathon. That motivated me to spend hours learning how to use Allen & Heath mixers and curating selections to try out. After playing at the Romjulsfestival last year, I met the Schmooze & Brus crew, who have taught me so much about disco, music, and mixing.

What are your earliest musical obsessions, and how did it evolve to where you are today? 

As a child, I was introduced to house and disco music early on. Every summer, my dad burned CDs to play in the car. I remember him introducing me to Modjo’s “Lady (Hear Me Tonight)” and Shakedown’s “At Night”—songs that still bring so much joy in various forms today. My stepdad introduced me to NRK P3 radio shows like DJ Friendly and Wolfgang Wee, which featured excellent selections of house, disco, and electronic music—huge inspirations that I really miss on the radio today.

The sheer volume of music being released today makes it harder to find good tracks, so I draw a lot of inspiration from listening to other DJs’ sets. I even have a hotkey for Shazam and shamelessly use it in clubs!

It seems Disco (in its many guises) is a constant in your musical pursuits including this mix. What was your first introduction to that genre and what is it about it that continues to appeal to you?

In addition to traditional disco, a friend introduced me to the Norwegian collective The Glue on SoundCloud in 2016. They have a playful way of remixing old Norwegian songs into house-disco tracks. When I lived in Bergen, I attended sets by Skatebård and Bjørn Torske, who inspired me with their space disco vibes. For me, the playful and danceable elements of disco are what make it so appealing.

We hear Disco all over pop music still today and it seems to be having a bit of resurgence, especially with that French filter sound. Is this something that you’ve noticed too and who are the bands and DJs currently informing that sound for you?

Absolutely! Disco is definitely making a comeback, both in its original form and with modern twists. I’ve always loved Cerrone, and it’s exciting to see DJs incorporating that sound into their sets. I’ve also been listening to Folamour, a French disco-house producer, who creates genius live sets and LPs.

Norway’s own history with that sound is legendary today, but what is your generation’s relationship with the space disco scene from the late 90’s / early 2000’s here?

I think we’re getting there. More and more of my friends are exploring these sounds, and artists like Todd Terje are gaining more traction in the club scene. This summer, I attended a festival called Bergtatt, where acts like Ora the Molecule, Olefonken, and Hubbabubbaklubb got the crowd dancing. There’s something about the funky and playful nature of disco that contrasts beautifully with today’s more crowd-pleasing EDM sound.

Bands like Funk For Forest and DJs like you and the Schmooze & Brus crew seem to be carrying that torch for Disco. How do you feel you have made it your own, and is there anything like a scene that is helping push this music?

It’s exciting to be part of this “movement.” For me, it’s about adding a driving bassline and energetic twist to funky tones. Disco has so many dimensions, and Schmooze has mastered blending Italo, space, traditional, and even Kven-inspired disco. In Oslo, spots like Gehør, Smelteverket, and Jaeger are great for this sound, and I’ve also danced to incredible disco sets at Morning Beats events. In Bergen, Café Opera and Landmark are also worth mentioning.

Tell us a bit about the Jaeger Mix and what you think it reflects in terms of your sound as a DJ.

I wanted the mix to showcase a playful, easygoing, and energetic side of my selections while including some of my all-time favorites. Narrowing my sound down to just two hours was challenging! I started with some go-to tracks and built the mix around funky, housey, disco-infused, and harder sounds. I aimed to create something that resonated with Jaeger’s crowd while staying true to my style.

How did you go about putting it together?

Since I knew this would be recorded, I focused on blending my all-time favorites with fresh beats. Unconsciously, I think I always balance tempos and moods to maintain a dynamic flow. Combining disco, house, and deep, driving basslines has always worked for me—both as a DJ and as someone who loves to dance.

You’ll be playing again at Jaeger during Romjul and then again during the DJ Marathon. What do you have planned for those sessions and how will it be different from this mix?

I’ll always bring a playful vibe, but I’m aiming for a deeper set with fewer vocals and longer, more teasing transitions. I adapt to the crowd, so while I might have a plan, it often changes track by track. You’ll have to come by and see for yourself!

What else is on the musical horizon for you, Synne?

In addition to gigs and making mixtapes, I’ve always dreamed of producing and expanding my understanding of music theory. I’ve inherited my uncle’s Roland MC-303 Groovebox, so I’m hoping to create something funky with it. And, of course, vinyl—I’ve heard that “real DJs only play vinyl,” hehe, so I should definitely test out my collection in a club setting.