Ruben Gausel Torkelsen (RGT) is a genuine fan of EDM. Growing up in Norway, the now twenty-four-year-old producer has always had an affinity for the electronic side of music, from Illenium and Walker to Zedd and Garrix.
RGT is always aware of every element in a song and values every aspect with great regard, from the baseline and piano melodies to the vocalist and mixing. The fusion of electronic sounds with poppy melodies and vocal performances is proving to be quite successful for RGT, and is sure to be finding its way into your playlists soon enough!
Early career for RGT consists of a huge portfolio of songs he made for other people during his producing time in the Norway-based record label Optic Studios. It’s not until recently that RGT started making music for himself, with the occasional side projects now and then.
Q: When you decide it’s time to make a new record, is that more exciting or stressful?
Ans: Mostly exciting, because the feeling I get when the creativity starts flowing is just amazing. But sure you have a stressful side to it as well. As an artist you always want the listeners to enjoy your content, so you always strive to make something new and better. But music is objective, so you just have to accept that some people will enjoy your songs, while others are wont, and that’s fine.
Q: How do you shut things out?
Ans: It’s easiest to shut things out when I work with music. I tend to go into a sort of bubble where I just cut off everything and everyone outside of this bubble. 7 hours in the studio can feel like one hour. It’s kind of crazy.
Q: For our readers who have never heard your music, explain your sound in 5 words?
Ans: Melodic, powerful, poppy, electronic, exciting.
Q: Who are your inspirations?
Ans: Illenium has inspired my music heavily in the later years. But the artist that actually made me get into music was Elliot Berger
Q: Do you have any events coming up or recording going on right now?
Ans: Right now I’m focusing on getting some new songs ready for release. I might do some local shows and appearances but the rest of the year will go to further developing my music and setting up for a tour next year.
Q: Is your family musical?
Ans: Hell no! It’s a miracle that I have one single musical bone in my body, haha. Although I have to admit that my family do have a decent sense of rhythm, I’ll give them that.
Q: Which famous musicians do you admire? Why?
Ans: I admire a whole lot of different musicians, I really dig the old rockstars and how their bodies are able to function after all they have been through. I admire musicians who create their own style and finds a unique niche. But if I have to talk about one that sticks out to me it’s gotta be Yelawolf, what he has created out of nothing is just remarkable. I even admire him enough that I got a tattoo with his logo.
Q: What advice would you give to beginners who are nervous?
Ans: It’s good to be nervous, it means you care! Don’t stick your toe in the water to give yourself an excuse to change your mind, but rather dive in headfirst and let it all sink in.
Q: How often and for how long do you practice?
Ans: Oh you never really stop practicing, there will always be some new way to do something. A new sound that you want to create, or a new improvement to your workflow. It’s up to you if you choose to chase these new ways, or if you want to settle with what you know and risk becoming stale.
Q: How do you balance your music with other obligations – mate, children, job?
Ans: I don’t have any children yet, and I had to quit my daily job as an electrician because of a back injury. So most of my focus can be channeled into the music, and my partner is really supportive and actually a part of my music so it’s not really a challenge for me to balance this right now. But for those with a more full plate, I think it all boils down to prioritizing the parts of your life that you want to grow the most.
Thanks for taking time out of your day:)
