TRANZINE - Why is your project called Northcore?

CARL - North because I come from the north (Sweden). Core because it sounds powerful, like an atomic core, or hardcore. The name originally was "norDcore," but I had to change it to "Northcore" because there was already a German label called Nordcore! oops!

​

TRANZINE - What are your major influences?
CARL - Jean-Michel Jarre, Tangerine Dream. These are the earliest influences. Then comes Brian Eno, The Orb, Hardfloor, Luke Slater, Oliver Lieb.

​

TRANZINE - How did you start enjoying electronic music?
CARL - A friend introduced me to the works of Jean-Michel Jarre and Tangerine Dream in the early '90s. At that time, we were making some music together on the computer. I loved that kind of sound, and in the following years, I started listening to other electronic styles, mostly ambient... When I started listening to techno in 1992-1993, initially, I didn't like it much. I preferred producing ambient music. But in 1994-1995, the "techno-ambient" scene became strong with names like Pete Namlook, and I discovered artists like The Orb, Jaydee, and others who had a techno sound but were still quite ambient. As for techno, I started listening to it gradually. I began producing my own tracks when I played in chill-out clubs like Global Warming (Melbourne). The audience liked it, and then I was inspired to produce more.

​

TRANZINE - Do you perform as a band or as a DJ (or both)?
CARL - When I play in clubs, I use DJ equipment, but I only play my own songs.

​

TRANZINE - And do you produce alone, or are there more people involved?
CARL - Usually, I do everything alone. Sometimes I remix other people, or have extra musicians (e.g., guitarists) playing parts in my songs, but most of the time, it's just me - Northcore is a quite personal project.

​

TRANZINE - And what about the electronic scene in Australia? Are there good raves and cool clubs there?

CARL - In Melbourne, yes. All the other places are not very receptive to techno. Well, Sydney has quite a few clubs, and some are pretty underground, but Melbourne is the best for a variety of styles. We have outdoor psy-trance parties, deep prog nights, house, warehouses, and clubs playing heavy German techno, as well as big "McParties" with superstar DJs like Sasha, etc. etc.

​

TRANZINE - Do you enjoy other types of music besides electronic?

CARL - Yes, quite a bit. Most of the music I listen to at home is not strictly techno. Most of the time, I prefer to listen to world music and ambient. Peter Gabriel, Brian Eno, Depeche Mode, Björk, Steve Roach, Rae+Christian.

​

TRANZINE - What do you think about the drug culture associated with electronic music? Do you think it's possible to enjoy electronic music without drugs? 

CARL - I never take drugs at raves, and I never use anything when I'm playing. I've never taken ecstasy, and I've never been to a rave under the influence of any drug. Yes, I think it's possible to enjoy electronic music without drugs! I enjoy every party I go to! Many people look at me dancing and ask where they can buy the kind of pill I took! Hah! I'm not anti-drugs; I think drugs are fun! We should be allowed to do whatever we want. But I also think there should be better education for ravers about safety and that they should be better informed about drug use, and I wish there was quality control over drugs. I've seen a lot of guys get messed up because what they took wasn't what they thought it was (i.e. IT WASN'T MDMA, the active substance of ecstasy) or because they DON'T KNOW how to use the drug... like, not drinking water, mixing 5 pills, all that shit. These are things that could be avoided if ecstasy were legalized.

​

TRANZINE - Do you know any artists from Brazil?

CARL - Well, the players from your football team are almost like "artists" to me...

​

​