Say Cheese! Tollef On The Power Of Collaborating And Friendships In His Career (Part 2)
Norwegian producer discusses friendships, inspirations, and unforgettable moments
Continuing the rollout of his Say Cheese EP on Oliver Heldens’ imprint OH2 Records, Tollef teamed up with UK producer Aevion on their latest track ‘With You’. To get to know the Norwegian up-and-coming producer a bit more, this interview series dives into Tollef’s artistic and personal journey — exploring the themes of collaboration, friendship, and creativity that define his sound.
What is a memory with another artist or person that always makes you smile when you think of it?
I will always remember the first writing camp with the More Bass More Good crew — RetroVision, Mo Falk, Madzi, Guy Arthur, and Mad Miguel. We rented an Airbnb in the French mountains and produced non-stop for a week. We ended it with a live stream DJ set where I played guitar over everything. It was such a great time, and it was the start of great friendships.
Which artist or persons have been by your side since the start of your career?
RetroVision was the one who “discovered” me back in 2020. I uploaded a song to his demo feedback stream (‘You’), and he instantly fell in love. From then on, he’s been super supportive. Big ups to Mathieu for that!
What is something you have learned from another artist in the studio?
There’s a lot, but I’d say Guy Arthur has taught me the most — especially when it comes to mixing. He’s always helpful and knows his way around synths and DAWs. Great guy, great musician.
Which artists did you dream of standing by your side, and have since become part of your journey?
I must say CLMD. His track ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ was one of the songs that got me into electronic music in the first place, and to be able to work with him now is a joy. He’s a great guy, which makes it even better!
Which artist gave you inspiration in becoming an artist yourself?
I don’t think there’s one artist who inspired me to become an artist, but if I had to name a few, it would be Audien, Lenno, Madeon, and Porter Robinson. They all make amazing music that inspired me to delve deep into the technical side of production. The artist thing just happened as a result of me experimenting — and people actually liking what I came up with!
Which collaborations have felt more like friendships than work?
Definitely the music I make with RetroVision and the MBMG crew. It feels like friendship with side effects.
What made you smile most while making ‘With You’?
The way the drop hits pretty hard even though the song is melodic and emotional makes me smile. Aevion did a great job with the details in the breakdowns and verses, creating a real sense of landscape. In my opinion, it fits perfectly with the tight, driving drop.
