BETH LYDI

Introduction 159

"I wanted to create a mix that represents my sound and how I work with music. In this moment I felt like constructing it as a quick warm up and introduction to me, starting with something smoother/ dreamier before upping the bpms and energy level and ending it with an ecstatic take off. The mix is definitely a blend of some of my favourite tunes at the moment, some I just think are fun and weird, and of course some unreleased and released productions from myself. A little taste of all parts of a night basically."

DIT KLINGT JUT · Introduction 159 | Beth Lydi

Hey Beth, great to have you! You are one of those people who are seemingly everywhere in the scene. How did you start getting into making and working with music and what made you decide to make music your bread & butter?

"Hi everyone, thanks for having me! Was so happy when you asked if I wanted to join your introductions series, it is a big honour to join this line of incredible artists. My making and working with music journey was actually quite random, as I guess it is with most. I had friends doing events in Oslo and had an incredible exchange year as a student in Berlin that really changed my life (little cliché but true, lol). I just loved electronic music a lot and started off playing around with vinyl as a hobby. I recorded a mix and a good friend gave me the opportunity to do a warm up set at his festival “Kommt Zusammen” in Rostock, and after that the ball just started rolling. When I finished my studies I had already started working with some backend stuff in the music industry as well, and loved doing everything: producing, DJing, booking, managing labels. So when I finished I decided to give it a go and make music my one and only focus. I’ve been very lucky (and patient and hardworking of course) to be able to make this my life and I still love and breathe everything that has to do with music."

How do you get into a creative flow?

"Everyday is a different journey, but usually I either start off with making a groove or playing around with soundscaping. From there on things flow naturally. Inspiration can be such a fluctuating thing, and if I don't feel it at all I usually try to use the time for something else like checking out a tutorial or organising my samples and music (carefully!)."

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

"When I produce I draw inspiration from the sounds I create. Somehow these just show me where to go next."

What do you love most about being an artist?

"I love to create and express myself with music. It is such a great feeling that you never know what you will make. I mean yes, you have a certain idea about the style when you start, but I always end up surprising myself a bit."

What fascinates you about your art from?

"I absolutely love how music brings people together, and for a split second we are all one on the dance floor, forgetting our daily struggles or stress, and our differences. I think these few hours of freedom and togetherness was what really hit me in the beginning. Especially the power to bring people together despite their differences is so valuable."

What, for you, is the purpose of art?

"I think the purpose of art is to make life more beautiful and to remind us of our humanness. It also has an important societal function as it can be an impulse for reflection and can deepen our understanding of ourselves and everything around us."

What do you want to express with your music?

"It is a bit hard to say as each song is created in a certain moment and mood and I think it carries that with it. But overall I want to express positivity and an uplifting energy, mixed with maybe a little bit of rebellion."

What is your opinion on success?

"I think success can be dangerous because we as humans seem to be built to always want more. Success kind of ruins the values that electronic music is built on. You see it now with people you can consider “very successful” in our industry (ugh, I do hate that word). It seems like there is never a high enough fee, a big enough event, and instead of working together to maintain a healthy scene it gets very egoistic. Maybe this is also because social media is feeding into our narcissistic sides. I am a firm believer that people should be able to make a solid living of their art, but one must tread carefully and remember to give back to the community. Luckily I am surrounded by a lot of humble artists who do what they do because they love it and don’t shy away from supporting others on their journey."

What is your opinion on failure?

"Failure can feel exhausting and intimidating, but you do learn from it and it makes you grow. I feel like life is all about trying and failing, and then trying again."

What would your 16 year old you think about what you’re doing today?

"I think she would be very proud. I actually wished for DJ gear when I was 15 and got a strict “no way!”, so we have laughed a bit in my family that I managed to end up on this path despite the lack of enthusiasm from home. Of course back then it was a bit of a rough scene in Oslo so I can understand why they were hesitant in supporting this journey and in the end it lead me where I am today."

What can we expect from you in the near future?

"Oh, a lot, haha. I am playing with the thought of releasing an album, maybe even next year. I will for sure release EPs both on SNOE and a couple of other labels, and I have some shows confirmed in Chile and Australia that I am incredibly excited about. Also I do have two other projects (shh, don’t tell anyone), in other genres that I keep on developing, so I am just really enjoying myself making music and being able to play some shows."

Most profound insight you had since you started this career?

"Enjoy the ride. Things usually happen differently than how you plan it anyhow. With struggle also comes appreciation for the good things."

How would you describe your approach to social media as an artist?

"It is a necessary evil but I think it is so important to remember not to compare yourself to others. We are all on our individual journey and it is not healthy to question yours because you see others' is different. I try to make my peace with it being a constant part of being an artist and make as authentic content as possible."