It would be safe to assume Skatebård is a national treasure at this point. A darling of the scene from Oslo to Bergen and one of the country’s biggest DJ exports, Skatebård continues to deliver whenever called upon. Beaming from the DJ booth, his liberal musical attitude and infallible energy, keeps us locked in, regardless of where he might musically roam.
A consistent presence at Jaeger he’s taken up the mantle of honorary resident, and whether playing the backyard or taking on the wall of sound in the basement, he’s come to define something of the sound of Jaeger during his tenure.
It brings us immense pleasure that he is finally inducted in the Jaeger Mix series, with this set recorded during the opening DJ salvo of 2026 with a special edition of Jaeger Mix and Frædag. Taking on the Basement this time, Skatebård laces into some Techy Trance before tracing a winding journey through his distinctive musical tastes.
Ending up in the familiar sounds of Italo Disco, Skatebård’s two hour journey is a familiar sonic exposition into the DJ’s trademark style. It’s a style he’s cultivated since the early part of the millennium, but always feels a little more special in Jaeger’s booth.
It’s something we’re eager to document again with this Jaeger Mix, and with a few years since we last spoke to Skatebård, it’s an opportunity to learn even a little more about this enigmatic figure. We talk about Side Brok, his earliest days in Bergen and new year’s resolutions, while we listen back to Skatebård in the mix.
Hey Bård. Welcome to the Jaeger Mix. Can you give us an introduction to this mix?
Thank you! Good to be back. This is a recording from Friday the second of January, taking over in the basement after Olanskii and G-Ha, there were many people attending and on the dancefloor, thinking it was just two days after NYE.
It’s immediately apparent that it’s a Skatebård mix, but between driving energy and the eclectic references you channel, it’s hard to put a finger on exactly what makes it a Skatebård mix. What defines a Skatebård mix for you personally?
It’s simply that it’s played by me that makes it a Skatebård mix. I have all sorts of tracks that I can blend into the frying pan. For me it’s about an emotional direction more about music style or production year of the tracks. I also tend to play the full arrangements of the tracks, not hurrying the mixing, sometimes stretching it a bit. But you know, something that requires a bit more than a goldfish’s attention span is a true treasure these days. And I haven’t seen anyone falling asleep on the dancefloor, yet. It’s about getting into a trance-like state, it takes some time.
It’s not the first Skatebård mix recorded at Jaeger, so was there anything specific about this one that sets it apart, especially when listening back to it now?
Only that it’s been a few years since the previous one. And maybe the fact that this time I was in the basement, in the middle of the winter, the last time was on a warm summer evening in the backyard.
It starts on the more “rave-ier” side of your style as a DJ, but then eventually ends up in Italo. How did this mix evolve for you on the night and what influenced the direction you went into?
He he, it always tends to end up in some italo disco with me, either new or old italo, or both. Or sometimes it’s the other way around, going from italo to house or ravey old techno, I just improvise, and I don’t want to do the same thing for each gig. Well, I noticed that the crowd were with me on each turn I took, so I just played what I felt like playing, and it went well. It’s also good when there’s two floors, if someone needs some variation. Or to go to the more talking areas is fine too, catching up after the holidays.
What were some of the individual records in that mix that you were very excited about?
I can say the new Artem Stan – Exotic Cruise EP (did I actually play two tracks from it? I believe so, had no idea the set was recorded, heh;)), and also the classic Jark Prongo – Spadet, which I’ve loved since I heard it in the Kevin Saunderson x-mix from 1997. Just to name two, but of course I’m excited about every track I play in a way.
It’s safe to say that you’re practically a resident at Jaeger. Is there something specific about playing at Jaeger that might affect the way you prepare for a set?
Practically, yes! Happy about that. I’m always quite the same, wherever I may roam, open for some different directions, and ready to improvise. Plus I always have a new favourite or two that I’m eager to play. Or an old favourite that I’ve re-discovered after years of it being dormant for me, also a really satisfying feeling.
And is it different when playing in the sauna or the basement?
There are some obvious differences, like the lighting and size of the room.
Like you said, this was recorded during the first Friday of the new year. Are there any musical highlights from 2025 that will particularly stay with you?
Exactly what is staying with me from 2025 in a few years time I do not know, we will see.
2025 saw the return of Side Brok. What encouraged you and Sjef R to come together again?
It was about time we did some larger shows again! And our fans were ready for it, pretty much totally packed venues everywhere.
How was it different from working together back at the start of the project?
Well, back in the early millennium days, it was a different world, and we were also much younger.
You’re known for this Italo / House / Disco / Trance sound as a DJ and producer, but then there’s also this other side of you, this Hip Hop element. Are these things worlds apart or do you see some overlap there?
I tend to keep them separate, but then, I am still called Skatebård in both projects.
What came first Hip Hop or DJing and how did you go from Hip Hop to electronic club music from there?
Both Hip Hop and electronic music, and many other styles of music at the same time in the years growing up; listening as a fan before I started making music myself or DJing.
What was it specifically about Disco and House music that resonated with you as a kid?
It must have something to do with positivity, and also a bit of escapism. Transcending out of the ordinary and the everyday for a bit.
Speaking to other DJs and producers coming up around the same time it seemed to have a lot to do with accessibility to cheap records. Did you have a similar experience in Bergen?
From the 90s, I mostly had a lot of techno and house music on cassettes and CDs, not that many records. But yes, in the early two thousands there was an abundance of really cheap records, in second hand shops in Norway or abroad on travels, and also on Discogs, hardtofindrecords, CDandLP and some other online services. It was also a much, much much better situation with the shipping and customs/fees/VAT. In Bergen the shop Apollon often sold a lot of good 12-inches for half price just to make place in the shelves, half price then was like 40 NOK.
Was there ever a distinction between the sound in Bergen and the rest of Norway, but specifically Oslo that you could put into words?
I could, but also it wouldn’t be true, because everything changes over time.
Tellé records; Erot, Annie; to an extent Bjørn Torske (even though he’s originally from Tromsø); and you have played a big role in establishing a scene in Bergen. What’s it like in the city today and how does it compare to those early days?
The ones you mentioned started a few years before my time in Bergen, but yes it’s true I became active in the Bergen scene little by little after I moved here. Nowadays it’s good, many new- and really making it happen people since those years, but I’m also glad that a lot of us that are my age are still active! Obviously this question could be answered with a whole book.
For those interested, there must have been panel debates about this subject and many other interviews about it. I can also recommend “Klubbkultur – fortellingen om da house, techno og ravekulturen kom til Norge” by Anders C. Gogstad.
Is it something that you find yourself tapping into or have you always been more of an island when it comes to music?
Kein Mensch ist eine Insel.
You have that eclectic spectrum, but is there any one thing influencing your music production or Djing these days?
Thank you. Love, and nature, but they are one.
Trollkraft, a collaboration with Lauer, was the last Skatebård release, and before that there was the LP Spektral from 2023. I assume the Side Brok took up most of your time in 2025. So what’s cooking with Skatebård in 2026?
That’s right. I didn’t make the beats for the newest Side Brok record, it was mostly DJ Forfattaren Olav R. Øyehaug this time. But still yes, making the concerts happen and all that is a few days of work, but well worth it. We’ll also do a few concerts this summer, and then I’ll do my DJ gigs around and about as much as I can in between!
Enjoy the mix, and see you around, folks!
For anybody interested, you can find playlists of other DJ sets, booking info, and much more of relevance at http://www.skatebard.no/