Oslo’s underground music scene continues to assert itself as a hub of innovation with Ketosphere, the latest collaboration from producers Blichfeldt and Tibert. The track straddles the line between minimal deep tech and electro, combining intricate rhythms with razor-sharp textures to create something both functional and forward-thinking.
Tibert, a lifelong musician and seasoned producer, brings a complementary ethos to the collaboration. His music channels the timeless appeal of classic house, infusing it with modern production techniques to create tracks that are equally suited to solitary listening and packed dancefloors. With a focus on groove and melody, his work balances immediacy and depth, offering moments of reflection within the driving pulse of house beats.
On Ketosphere, the duo strikes a delicate balance between atmospheric exploration and kinetic energy. The track’s bassline pulses with intent, anchoring its shifting textures, while layered melodies and subtle details invite listeners into its depths. It’s a piece that speaks to the producers’ shared ability to create music that feels equally at home in Oslo’s underground clubs as it does in more expansive, global contexts.
Oslo’s underground club scene is known for its distinct identity. How has the city’s soundscape and nightlife culture influenced the creative process behind Ketosphere?
Ketosphere is deeply inspired by Oslo’s underground scene and the raw, analog spirit of Norwegian electronic music. The hypnotic energy of late-night club sessions shaped the track’s driving arpeggios and solid drum grooves. Drawing from OG producers like Skatebård and Bjørn Torske, we blended their influence with our own deeper, minimalistic, club-driven style. The result is a nod to the early house scene while pushing forward with a fresh, evolving sound.
Collaborating with Blichfeldt brings together two unique approaches to deep tech and house. How did your individual styles complement or challenge each other during the production of Ketosphere?
Working with Blichfeldt is always a rewarding experience because we challenge and complement each other creatively. My groovier, house-oriented sensibilities combined with his deeper, driving minimal style created a fresh, dynamic balance that shaped the track. This synergy allowed us to craft something rhythmically engaging and immersive, reflecting our individual strengths.
Your music often nods to the classics while sounding completely modern. How do you strike that balance between honoring house music’s roots and pushing its boundaries forward?
The balance comes from my love for the classics combined with a constant exploration of new sounds. I often start with timeless elements like the 909, TB-303, and classic synths like the Juno, but I’m always trying to do something fresh with them. By blending these iconic sounds with modern plugins, techniques, and effects, I aim to create music that feels both familiar and forward-thinking. Continuous experimentation keeps my sound evolving, letting me honor house music’s roots while driving it into new territory.
With Ketosphere sitting at the crossroads of minimal and electro, how do you think it reflects the current evolution of underground electronic music?
I believe Ketosphere captures the current evolution of electronic music by merging the rhythmic foundations of minimal with the raw energy of electro, especially through its drums and arpeggios. It also reflects the growing trend of breaking genre boundaries, where producers honor classic sounds while blending them with modern production techniques.
Oslo might not be the first city that comes to mind when people think of house and deep tech. How would you define its underground scene, and what role do you see yourself playing in its progression?
While Oslo might not be an obvious choice, the underground house scene here is growing, with a raw, unpolished energy and untapped potential. This inspired our concept “Støy” (Norwegian for noise), where we aim to spotlight this emerging scene. By focusing on minimal house and hosting international DJs, we hope to make Oslo a must-visit destination for house music in Europe.
Minimal deep tech is often about restraint and focus. When crafting Ketosphere, how did you approach layering textures and melodies without disrupting the track’s driving energy?
When crafting Ketosphere, the approach was all about space and balance. We started with a hypnotic arpeggio as the foundation, carefully introducing layers of leads, percussive elements, and other melodies. Every sound had to earn its place, adding depth without competing with the rhythm. We refined each element—tweaking, automating, and EQing to maintain the track’s energy. The goal was to create movement, making the track feel dynamic while keeping its repetitiveness engaging.
Collaboration can often be as much about dialogue as it is music. Were there any particular moments in the studio where you and Blichfeldt found yourselves diverging creatively? How did you resolve those differences?
Blichfeldt and I always have clear communication, so we rarely diverge creatively. The biggest debate we had was over which reverb to use on the snare, which sums up how in sync we were during the process.
Beyond Ketosphere, what’s next for you as an artist? Are you exploring other directions within deep tech, or do you see your sound evolving in a different way altogether?
I’m always exploring new inspirations, so my sound will naturally evolve as I experiment and grow. While I remain rooted in house, I’m incorporating fresh influences to keep my sound dynamic. After nearly a decade of honing my craft in the studio, I’m shifting focus toward performing more, showcasing my productions in live sets. This creates a stronger connection between what I make in the studio and what I play on the dance floor.