Hi all, DELLA here. This week I took the opportunity to chat with, Slindre (formally Snurrebass), an up and coming House DJ and founder of Norway’s fiercest queer club night <LOKOMOTIV>. This Saturday, he will be joining me in the basement for Della’s Drivhus and together we are going to set the club on FIRE. Are you ready to get your groove on? I am!
Slindre, thank you for taking the time to chat with me. Let’s get down to business.
I am so excited for Saturday! Can’t actually believe that I’m going to play at Æ with you!! A friend of a friend attended your event in Gøteborg a couple of weeks ago and absolutely loved it. I’ve never played B2B with anyone before, but hey, it’s gonna be fun to do it for the first time with you.
You and I just recently met and our love of House music made us instant friends. Please, can you tell us more about who Slindre is?
Slindre’s heart beats for House music and melodic techno. I love a groovy bassline, cheeky lyrics and soulful vocals. And I live for sweaty dance floors.
How long have you been DJing?
I ordered my first DJ gear in January 2022, so that makes it one year and three months to be exact.
What made you want to begin DJing?
I’ve been listening to House, disco and techno for as long as I can remember. Music has always been a source of happiness and a sense of freedom for me. I’m always searching for new music. I love the feeling when I discover music that makes my jaw drop and gives me chills from head to toe. The last couple of years I started to get more and more fascinated with how DJs managed to build up sets like stories, with a narrative and exciting twists and turns. I wanted to start DJing quite some time before I actually did, I guess it was something as boring as janteloven that held me back. But, luckily that wasn’t enough to stop me from going for it. I was immediately hooked.
You formally went by DJ alias Snurrebass, why did you decide to change your artist name to Slindre?
Hehe, well. When I got my first gigs last spring, I couldn’t completely own that I was a DJ, and Snurrebass had a kind of an ironic twist to it. Now I don’t feel the need to distance myself from being a DJ anymore, so Slindre just feels more right.
Who are the producers & DJs that inspire you most?
I keep finding new inspiration almost daily. There is almost too much good music out there! But, I definitely draw inspiration from Honey Dijon, Todd Terry, Dennis Quin, Green Velvet, Mr. G, Superlover and Saison. Lately, I’ve also been listening to Roy Rosenfeld quite a bit. He produces really smooth and beautiful downtempo tracks that move me emotionally.
Do you produce music?
Not yet! But I am definitely planning to.
You are the founder of the new HOT queer concept LOKOMOTIV. Can you tell our readers more about your club night?
LOKOMOTIV is a passion project created by me and my husband for lovers of electronic music and dancing. Everyone is welcome at LOKOMOTIV, but our target audience is gay guys. So far, it’s been a massive success with a packed dance floor on all four events. It’s been a blast! We even took the event to Stavanger in March. Check us out on Instagram @lokomotivclub
What inspired you to start Lokomotiv?
Well, there were two reasons. Firstly, we wanted to create a club concept we ourselves felt was missing in Oslo. Secondly, in the beginning it wasn’t easy getting gigs at my favorite clubs. LOKOMOTIV became an opportunity for me to share my passion for music with a big crowd.
Do you feel there is a lack of queer club nights in Norway?
Yes! That’s why we started LOKOMOTIV. We’ve been saying for years that there aren’t enough queer club nights, so instead of sitting at home complaining, we decided to do something about it.
Why do you feel it is important to showcase queer artists in music?
Representation is important everywhere. But when it comes to House music, club culture and queer history, they share an important bond. The underground clubs were a place for queer people to get together, party and be themselves long before we could do so openly. I play music with a lot of gay references in different ways, mostly because it’s really good music, but also as a nod to gay and queer history.
What are your thoughts on current social issues such as USA wanting to restrict drag?
It makes me sad.
Have you personally experienced any obstacles being gay and being an artist?
No, not at all! And I don’t expect that to happen either.
Do you work full-time as a DJ? What is your day job?
I’m a psychologist, specializing in family and couples therapy. So that’s really a contrast to grooving it out in the DJ booth.
Do you intertwine the two into your music?
Haha, well. I can’t say that I do. Not directly, anyway. The common factor is that I have a passion for both. And that both therapy and DJing a set is a process, which hopefully leave you feeling better with yourself and the people around you at the end of it.
Other than the obvious (LOKOMOTIV), what is a favourite club / club concept you’ve experienced?
Oh, tough question. Some of my best nights out have been in NYC. I think I’m gonna say Battle Hymn, by Ladyfag. Elli Escobar is a resident and he is someone I hope to book for LOKOMOTIV one day.
Tell us what we can expect this Saturday in your set at Della’s Drivhus.
You can expect one very excited DJ who’s going to play the House music you didn’t know you needed. It’s going to be impossible for you to stand still.
Any upcoming gigs or events you would like to inform our readers about?
We have many exciting plans for LOKOMOTIV in 2023. The next event will be in May and is going to be something special. I’m also looking forward to Pride at the end of June. I can’t disclose specifics just yet, but let’s just say that it’s going to be a good week for those of us who enjoy House music.
I look forward to sharing the booth together at Della’s Drivhus! Together we are definitely going to create nothing but pure, rainbow vibes. It is going to be good fun, especially our B2B set. ❤️
Check out more of Slindre’s music here:
Have a listen to my opening set for my former guest, Mood II Swing. What a night!
See you all on the dancefloor this Saturday.
Follow me on my socials to stay updated!
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/djdella_official/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djdella
Kisses,
DELLA