A different breed of producer, Twistex creates his electro masterpieces from a secluded forest in Norway, where he lives alone with no running water, waking up daily to the rawness of natures as the stimulus for his bass music. Your mind might first jump to a sleeping sounds machine when you hear that nature is inspiring someone’s music, but toss that notion of dullness out the window.
Twistex aka André Ristesund’s new EP Rush is packed with filthy, hair-whipping, dubstep beats juxtaposed with cinematic violin arrangements. This EP encompasses so many layers, like thick and glitchy that kind of catch you by surprise. Think Blackmill meets Skrillex circa 2010.
André was kind enough to assuage our curiosity regarding his unique situation and production style in what is most likely WRR’s first interview to come out of a Norwegian forest.
Tell us the story about your radical lifestyle change: your decision to move to the wilderness and give up most of your possessions?
It’s as easy as I want to make music in a place where I can be free, where people don’t bother me or seek me. I’m happiest in my own company mostly because people scare me. I don’t care for fancy things, and I don’t have much money, but for me its more about being happy with what I’ve got and making the best out of any situation.
What would you say has been the most rewarding part about your new environment?
The silence, to be able to walk outside alone with just my thoughts, finding inspiration in the beautiful nature – all the sounds, birds, deer, moose, beavers, goats, etc. Last but not least I can make music as loud as I want whenever I want, and for the first time of my life, nothing can stop me from doing what feels right.
What has been the most difficult aspect of life in the forest?
Not having water or enough heat and bathing in the river during winter. I have to make a hole in the ice! That has been really rough, but now it’s springtime so its all good! Still pretty cold in the river but hey, it can only get better right?
Can you tell us more about where you found the most inspiration for this EP, and your surroundings reflected on this final product?
Yeah, I spend a lot of time walking around in the woods, sampling rocks, trees, rivers or whatever I stumble upon. “Rush” is kind of like me settling down from the city life. I had to get away. I was going crazy so I sold or gave away almost everything I owned to make some money to build my studio and do this music thing. I spoiled myself and bought a bed, which I haven’t had in 6 years, so I can get a good night sleep. At least I feel better. I feel more and more inspired the longer I’m here, so more forest music you shall receive!
Do you have any plans to tour in the U.S. anytime soon?
Actually no, I don’t want to do a tour before I have something special and can put on a cool show. For now it’s just [shows] here and there when I’m able to. I still have a lot of work to do on my studio. The roof is leaking, it draws from the walls, and minor stuff here and there that I really want to fix up. It’s difficult though, and takes time when its so expensive!
Rush is available for download on Bandcamp. Be sure to give Twistex’s last EP that hit the number one spot on Beatport’s Hard Dance Charts last year, Lume a listen as well.
Connect with Twistex:
https://www.facebook.com/TwistexOfficial
https://twitter.com/TwistexOfficial
https://soundcloud.com/twistex
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