16/11/2009

Norweigan DJ/Producer Prins Thomas has become a space/disco legend, thanks to his work as part of his duo project Prins Thomas & Lindstrom. Novanation chatted to the chronically hard working Prins about a secret love of Abba, eating kangaroo in Australia and his least favourite behaviour at concerts - "Pissing in an empty cup and let strangers have a taste of your brew"! Ed Pitts reports.

So where are you right now? What are you doing?

I'm currently in the studio. Dividing my time between wrapping up my own solo album and doing a couple of remixes and post productions for other artists.

Your coming to Playground Weekender in Australia! Have you been here before?

No, never been. Always seemed too far a distance - ha ha ha!

What are you looking forward to?

Well, besides coming to Australia for the first time I'm very much looking forward to get away from the cold norwegian winter... Maybe getting a nice kangaroo steak and find some cool obscure oz-disco from the 70's? ha ha ha!

So you’re living in Oslo. Have you lived anywhere else?

I grew up in a little town called Hamar but moved to Oslo roughly 14 years ago. Mainly to be where the action was at the time.

What effect did it have on your music?

It's kind of funny, even though moving from Hamar to Oslo was a big change and a step forward to becoming "part of the scene"in the mid-90's I quickly realized Oslo isn't really the center of the world either. Not living in a big city means it's easier to make studio time a priority.

I just listened to your remix of Juan MacLean Tito’s Way – I really like it, the mix of electronic and disco and yet it’s very dark. What’s your favourite remix that you’ve ever done?

I love them all! ha ha ha! Actually, I'm very happy with the juan maclean version. I think Mr. Juan himself described it as Pink Floyd-disco. I guess any remix where you have fun making it is a special one. If you’re not enjoying it, it shines through easily...

Has there been a crowd somewhere in the world that made you think “Wow, I didn’t realise I’d be big here.” Any surprise fanbases?

What?!? Am I big somewhere? Where? Tell me!!! ha ha ha! There's of course some places where you think it's not going to be 100% fun but somehow I think I've gotten away too easy  I'm always enjoying myself and try to not have too much expectations anywhere. Then it'll always be a party!

What behavior angers you at festivals? What is “not ok” behavior?

Oh - I wouldn't know. I guess most bad behaviour doesn't belong anywhere but a strong contender is pissing in an empty cup and let strangers have a taste of your brew... Not me, somebody once told me....!

Where is the best music scene in the world right now?

Right now the little scene I've got going here in the studio is really good. Nice cup of instant coffee (cold), 5 celsius outside! The music playing is amazing ha ha!

Who do you love but you’re not sure why? Or something you think is corny but you like anyway?

Right now I'm not sure WHY I love being in the studio as I seem to have spent every single day for ages trying to wrap up post production on my album, a mystery really, some find it corny but I actually LOVE ABBA!! All of it!!! Just bought their new (old) “Live in Japan” DVD and now looking forward to start on their biography!

You’ve remixed Annie. I’m a huge fan – There seem to be a lot of new acts emerging from Norway. Who are you championing at the moment?

There's almost too much stuff to mention... Magnus International is returning with some great stuff, Blackbelt Andersen is working on his second album, Marius Våreid has a bunch of material coming soon, there's some new acts called Sommerstad and Telephones.... And of course all the usual suspects like Bjørn Torske, Rune Lindbæk, Mental Overdrive, Todd Terje, Lindstrøm, Mungolian Jetset.... probably a bunch more I've forgot. Sorry!

What’s next for you? I hear Norway has a huge death metal scene – maybe that?!

There's already some slight black metal influences creeping into some of my tracks. I guess that's hard enough to stomach for some!

Thanks Prins - I wish you all the best for Playground Weekender!

Thanks for having me!