We'd like to introduce you to Charlotte Thorstvedt. You'll have to look far and wide for someone with a more pimped out CV than the young and talented Charlotte. Besides having been a DJ since the age of 17, she's also been a VJ for MTV, presented Norwegian X factor, dabbled in modeling, designed her own clothes collection, produced her first single and is now on the cusp of releasing her debut album on Universal while studying at university. Despite her ventures into various realms of pop culture, she maintains that her number one passion is, and always has been, music. We believe her.
Your Bio is quite intriguing. Modelling, DJing and Television Host and now producer? I may appear somewhat schizophrenic at first glance. But the truth is music is what got me into all these strange things I've done in the first place. DJing is what got me into MTV as a VJ, and from there one thing lead to another.. But what I always really wanted to do was release my own music. It's just taken a couple of detours into other things to get to that point!
When were you working with MTV, what was your experience like with them? I enjoyed it a lot. To start working as a VJ at 18 years old is probably a lot of people's dream, so I consider myself very lucky. I got to interview all my favourite bands and artists, so of course it was wicked. It was also a platform for me to get into other things. I would never be where I am today if I didn't land that job, my life would be totally different. Which is weird to think about.
What first attracted you to electronic music? I like a lot of different genres. Before I got into electronic music, I was a hip hop girl. I also have a huge soft spot for rock and garage. The Smiths are my favourite band of all time.
The moment I discovered electronic music was when I was on holiday in Italy at age 15. Me and my friend went to this massive outdoor club. That was when I understood the magic of house music, and it was love at first listen. The start of a long and healthy relationship. The only thing that kind of held us back that night was that my dad was hovering over us the whole time, since he insisted on chaperoning us. (laughs)
What attracted you to producing your own music? Producing music is the most fun I ever have. It's exciting.
What's your first musical memory? What song or DJ inspired you to pursue that path? The first electronic song to really grab my attention was probably Mylo Drop the Pressure. I still love that track.
In your hosting roles, have you had to critic others music? Not really, luckily. My job was more to do interviews, hosting, and recommending new music to the viewers.
What do you find most natural hosting, DJing or Modelling? Definitely DJing and making music, because that's something that is all my own. I don't have anybody dictating me or telling me how I should do things, it's all up to me, which is very freeing.
You've recently moved to London, why the move? Going back to my roots. I grew up just outside London, but after that I've lived mostly in Norway/Sweden. Now I'm back. I wanted a change of scenery and some new challenges on the music front, and I am also doing a masters degree in Social Anthropology at London School of Economics at the moment. Which is pretty intense and entails a shit load of reading. But is very interesting.
What are your future plans, what does the rest of the year and next year hold for you?
My future plans are to release my second single Arrhythmia in January, on Universal Norway, then release the whole album in February. All the while I'll be DJing and trying to do my masters degree. I'll also be working on getting the album released on labels outside of Norway. I'll be quite busy you might say. Hopefully it's not too much to handle.
With Treacle (above) received with such affection. What's next for you in production? More tracks and album? It was received very well which was such a relief. My first ever release, you kind of put yourself out there, don't you? I love the track, so it's great to see that other people do too. I hope it can reach broader audiences at some later point aswell.
I have produced a whole album, called Salomé, which is finished, mastered, and ready to go. That will be coming in February on Universal in Norway, and before that second single that I mentioned in January.
What's on your ipod at the moment? Everything Maceo Plex has ever produced, he is just such a genius to the point where it's annoying and I want to know all his secrets. I love his new Stay High Baby track to bits.
Daniel Bortz has really caught my eye lately aswell. Also, I can't stop listening to Alexis Raphael Spaceship. It is on repeat. Other than that I'm going through a soul phase right now; listening to a lot of Otis Redding, Marlena Shaw, Frankie Valli, Clay Hammond, etc. I love my soul music.
What DJ's or producers work is inspiring you at the moment? Maceo Plex, pretty much. He is awe inspiring. Simon Baker is a good friend and inspiration. I've always liked Jay Shepheard's production style.
Tracklist Charlie's Pulse Exclusive Mix:
01 Pillowtalk Soft (Life & Death Remix)
02 Adeline Supreme Love Handles
03 Charlotte Thorstvedt Treacle
04 Hamid feat. Valentina If I (Jay Shepheard remix)
05. Alexis Raphael Spaceship
06. Maceo Plex Stay High Baby
07 Kaysh, OK Sure Get Like This (Eric Volta & Nuvo Rich Remix)
08 Lee Jones Westworld
09 Daniel Bortz Other Life
10 Yapaac Bad Girl (Wildkats remix)
11 Michelle Owen Perchance to Dream
