Smelly Feet Records Is A Music Platform Which Showcases Both Established And Up & Coming Artists.
No Specific Genre, Just Real Underground Music.
Smelly Feet Records Is A Music Platform Which Showcases Both Established And Up & Coming Artists.
No Specific Genre, Just Real Underground Music.
Tooli
Sex : Male Zodiac : Aquarius Country : Sweden City : Stockholm
Type : Exclusive mix Genre : Good Music Hardware : 2x Technics SL-1200 & 1x Pioneer CDJ
Interview
Smelly Feet Records: As an ex-club promoter from Sweden, how would you describe the evolution in electronic music from when you first started your career?
Tooli: I started pretty late as a promoter to be honest, but I’ve always been interested in music and trying to keep up with what’s happening by going out, listening to DJs, and checking out bands playing. The evolution of electronic music? Hm. I love the fact that you can hear dance music pretty much anywhere if you go out. There are live acts also, not just producers that play their tracks, but actual live performances. More of those please. There’s also a lot of DJs coming over to play here in Stockholm, it’s nice to be able to hear Floating Points or Kerri Chandler play, but at the same time, I think it’s important not to forget the local DJs. Sometimes I wish there was more diversity. There’s a lot of techno, techno, and techno, but before that, it was house or Beatport Top 10. I like to go out and listen to a DJ play for 4 hours or more, playing whatever they feel like.
"Every gig is different... The bad ones you tend to forget pretty quick and the good ones you’ll remember for a long, long time because they were emotional."
SFR: What was it that interested you in becoming a club promoter and how did you make the transition into becoming a well known DJ?
Tooli: I was part of something called ”24:HRS” with some friends and we wrote about music and promoted artists we loved on a weekly basis. Back then, there were only a few people doing this, perhaps not as many as today since this was around the times of Myspace, but somehow we got asked to play at some parties. I guess they liked what we posted on our page and wanted to hear what our selection was…anyway - it just evolved. One day we got asked if we wanted our own night at a venue. That turned into several residencies and all of a sudden, we were playing all over town as 24:HRS Soundsystem. Then, when we decided to put 24:HRS on hold and start working on different projects, mine was starting a label. Somehow, I kept on playing on my own and now I also do it with my label partner Mad Mats. I wouldn’t say I’m well known, but people seem to know about Local Talk, and that’s ok..haha.
SFR: You took a break from DJing and now you are back in full force. What was it that made you decide to take a step back in the first place?
Tooli: well, last year I told myself I had to finish some music, get things done and not just work a few hours here and there on tracks. That usually ends up in 2035 unfinished tracks a month.
So, beginning of November, I locked myself in my ”studio” and finished a lot of music I’ve been working on. Somehow, it was easier than I thought and ended up creating an album that’s coming later this year.
I’ve got lot’s of music to finish for other projects, but those two and half months just working on music really made a big difference for me. And now, early 2015, I’ve started DJing again, the first one was at Panorama Bar, Berghain in January. There’s a few other cool ones booked the next upcoming months, both label parties and a few of my own, both in Europe and a bit further ;)
"I don’t think outrageous is something that people think of when they think of me. I’m quite calm and easy."
SFR: Tell us about your first performance back as a DJ. What kind of emotions did you feel before, during and after the gig?
Tooli: The first real performance was back when I lived in Malmö (south of Sweden). Me and some friends decided to do a night together called ”Bashment”. All of us played different styles, but me and my friend Adde (he’s a laywer now by the way, probably was a good choice) played disco and house. I do remember some of the tracks we played that night, Maurice Fulton ” Revenge Of The Orange”, Felony Funk by Swag, Faze Action ”In The Trees” and Roy Davis Jr ”Michael”. Back then I was nervous, like really nervous before playing. It started two days before a gig and ended probably a week after..haha. I still get a bit nervous but I think that’s just fine. There’s more to it than just picking a few good tracks and playing them for a few hours. Every gig is different, it’s a cliché answer perhaps, but they really are. The bads ones you tend to forget pretty quick and the good ones you’ll remember for a long, long time because they were emotional.
SFR: We see that you have been very active in the past years, putting together and starting multiple projects. What are some of your greatest achievements and how did they help you establish yourself as the one they call Tooli?
Tooli: I’ve done quite a few things when it comes to music and I like to think they all helped me in one way or another to get me where I am today. Being part of 24:HRS was great, I’ve got to know a lot of people around the world, some of which I’m still in contact with. Working with Local Talk is of course, something I’m proud of. I’ve been wanting to start a label for many, many years and working with Mats has been an amazing experience, with hard work of course and a few laughs along the way. I’m really, really happy that the music we’ve released has reached so many people out there.
Being able to start Omena last year was great too. It’s a small label, only 3 releases so far (more in the works of course). The future looks bright. There’s a few things I want to try out that might surprise people but that’s what makes it fun and a challenge, all in which im willing to accept.
SFR: In regards to your own label, Omena, do you have any future plans and desires for the upcoming year(s)?
Tooli: I told myself at the end of last year, 2015 will be THE year for Omena. There’s a mixtape series coming. I’ve been tape trading for many years, so tapes are very dear to me. I’ve also launched a sub-label to Omena, simply called Omena LTD. First up, is a mini album, six tracks, on 10”. Then there’s a 7” coming beginning of April, plus my album probably after the summer. I would love to work more with Ivo, that has done the artwork for the label, it’s very cool process and we’ve talked about a few different ideas. It would be sweet to do some label nights or parties with the artist on the label, keeping my fingers crossed that it will happen this year too.
And I’ve got a few other projects happening too but I’ll reveal them later this year.
SFR: What is the most outrageous act you have done to promote yourself or a party?
Tooli: You know, that has never happened. I don’t think outrageous is something that people think of when they think of me. I’m quite calm and easy.
SFR: Are there any people, artists, labels, or other promoters that you would like to mention, who have helped you get to where you are today?
Tooli: There’s tons of people. I’d say all my friends and family inspire me every day to keep on doing this. It’s too many to mention here so I’d say – thank you all. And to the ones I haven’t met yet – looking forward to see you soon ;)
SFR: Tooli. Tell us about this mix you made for us. Where did you get your inspiration?
Tooli: I haven’t had a mixer at home for a few weeks now so when I finally got the chance to record this mix I picked a few of the tracks I’ve been playing out recently and a few old favorites that I haven’t been able to listen to at home. It’s easy to dance to and includes my favorite things in music, bass and percussion.