We caught up with Austrian electronic music producer Tobias Bergson, who released his latest single ‘Clear Your Mind’ on September 13th via PLAYY. Records. As a seasoned producer and DJ, Tobias has cultivated a phenomenal career so far with 180 million streams across platforms, support from the likes of Steve Aoki and Don Diablo, as well as receiving praise from publications such as DJ Magazine.
‘Clear Your Mind’ is a progressive and melodic house extravaganza. While it’s a gentle listen, it’s deeply moving and vibrant illustrating Tobias’s skill and versatility as an artist. Stream ‘Clear Your Mind’ below while reading the interview with Tobias:
To those not familiar with you, how would you describe your sound?
Good question! I think if you take a look at my Spotify profile, it’s really hard to find a common thread. In the past, I just did what I enjoyed, and of course, I still do that today, but I’m increasingly making sure that the songs are also suitable for dancing. My sound has been very diverse in the past, but now I’d say I’m focusing more on Melodic House and Afro House. In other words, my sound leans toward more reflective tones, maybe even a bit melancholic. For about a year and a half now, I’ve been trying to develop a more consistent style—something people enjoy listening to but that I can also play in clubs, or better said, at more laid-back events.
Which three albums have influenced you the most creatively?
Albums that really inspired me to love music were three that I can remember very well. The first real album that fascinated me was Demon Days by the Gorillaz. I listened to that record over and over. I still remember when I was around 12 or 13, we didn’t have a TV at home, so instead of watching TV, I spent a lot of time in front of my computer. Back then, I played a rally game for hours on end, and while playing, I had the Gorillaz album on repeat, listening to it over and over. I muted the game sound and listened to the album instead, trying to sing along. I still remember getting goosebumps every time I listened to songs like ‘Demon Days’. And even today, when I listen to that album, it takes me back—it gives me a nostalgic feeling.
The second album that really shaped me, and when I had already started producing music, was True by Avicii. I remember I had just bought my first car, and that was the CD I listened to every single time I drove to work, day after day. I know every song inside and out. I think this album was simply a masterpiece, although I preferred the less commercial songs over the well-known ones. ‘Dear Boy’, ‘Hope There’s Someone’ and ‘Heart Upon My Sleeve’—those were the bangers I listened to constantly.
The third album was a gift from very good friends. They knew I was a huge Deadmau5 fan, and before we all went on vacation to Croatia together, they gave me the While (1<2) album by Deadmau5. That album is just incredible. I listened to it non-stop at home and in my car. I had also watched a lot of live videos of Deadmau5, so it felt like I was following along live while he was working on the album, which made it even better. The whole album is just a work of art, and I’ll never forget how I had it on repeat during the drive to Croatia.
Your music is a reflection of your internal world, emotions and experiences. – What does ‘Clear Your Mind’ express for you?
This might sound a little dramatic, but I think the last few years and months have been pretty stressful for all of us. When I produced this track, I wanted to create a song that gives you a calm feeling, something that reassures you and tells you that everything will be okay. And that’s how ‘Clear Your Mind’ came to be. I think the sounds are very clear and speak for themselves, and yeah, it was with this vibe that ‘Clear Your Mind’ was created.
Studio work and music creation, or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?
That’s a tough question. I’d say I love producing music—in fact, I’m addicted to creating beats because it helps me in many situations in life. Producing helps me calm down, for example, when I get upset about something. I haven’t been DJing for long, but it’s an indescribable feeling to present your own songs to an audience, and in a way, that’s also kind of addictive. My goal in the near future is to DJ more, but I don’t want to give up producing. I’m the kind of person who would be constantly making beats on my laptop while traveling to the next gig. So, I’d say both are very important to me, though lately, I’ve been focusing more on DJing.
If you could collaborate with, or perform alongside any artist, who would it be? And why?
Good question! I have a lot of artists in mind, but because I’m such a huge fan, it would have to be Deadmau5 at the moment, even though I might be moving in a slightly different musical direction right now
Tell us about any upcoming shows or releases you have in the pipeline?
At the moment, there aren’t any shows planned, but my goal in the near future is to organise my own events—that’s the goal for the next few years. Right now, I’m very busy producing new songs and working on collaborations with singers
Follow Tobias Bergson:
Facebook – Soundcloud – TikTok – Youtube – Instagram – Spotify
