Norwegian Disco: The Genealogy of Prins Thomas, Mungolian Jet Set and Lindstrøm
Text: mmr｜Theme: History of modern disco/space disco born in Norway, solo works, collaborations, produced works
Despite its cold climate and Scandinavian tranquility, Norway has given rise to an important trend of warm disco/space disco.Prins Thomas, Lindstrøm, and the Mungolian Jet Set have reinterpreted 70s and 80s disco, Italo, and French touch with a Norwegian lens, giving 21st century dance music their own unique flavor.In this article, we will comprehensively introduce each artist’s solo work, collaboration, and production activities, and list recommended albums by age group.
Overview: Scandinavian air and “temperature” disco
The disco created by Norwegian producers is more than just retro playback.The melancholy produced by the cold climate and the fusion of warm synth/percussion–this contrast is the flavor of “Nordic disco.”Prins Thomas and Lindstrøm influenced each other, expanding the vocabulary of “space disco” through co-writing and remixing.Mungolian Jet Set, on the other hand, also incorporates elements from outside Norway (including the introduction of music samples from Asia and the Middle East) in its DJ mixes and extraordinary music curation.
Commentary by artist
Prins Thomas
His real name is Thomas Moen Hermansen.Inheriting the spirit of Detroit-Italo and 70s disco, they specialize in long psychedelic build-ups.He is known for his solo albums Prins Thomas'' andII’‘.In addition, the collaborations and remix work released with Lindstrøm and others contributed to the formation of the scene.
Main activities produced/involved:
- Co-production with Lindstrøm (split/remix)
- Long track using modular/analog equipment
- Curation of live sets at small festivals and clubs
Lindstrøm
His real name is Hans-Peter Lindstrøm.His sound is called the standard-bearer of “cosmic disco,” and combines synth layers, heavy drum work, and the essence of ambient.His masterpieces, such as Where You Go I Go Too'' andIt’s A Fidelity Affair,’’ have received high acclaim for their elegant and danceable long-length compositions.
Main activities produced/involved:
- Remixes of other artists (female singers and indie bands)
- Music production for video works and fashion events
Mungolian Jet Set
Mainly active as a DJ unit/producer.He is known for his vast record knowledge and mixes that incorporate a sense of tribal rhythm.Their Jet Set Trax-like mix series brings a new editorial perspective to the Norwegian club scene.
Member composition
Paul “Strangefruit” Nyhus
Role: DJ/Turntablist/Selector
Features:
An important presence in Norway’s underground DJ culture.
With a unique eye for music selection based on his extensive record collection, he freely connects disco, jazz, Afro, house, and experimental music.
Known as a DJ who breaks down genre barriers, he brings an electric element to Mungolian Jet Set’s work.
Knut Sævik
Role: Producer/Musician
Features:
An engineer who supports studio work.
He is in charge of rich sound design, making full use of synthesizers, samplers, programming, etc.
Jazz and He brings his classical background and adds depth to his arrangements.
Guest Collaborator
Randy Barracuda (active in Finland’s Skweee scene) and singers/musicians from Norway and abroad sometimes participate.
Mungolian Jet Set’s albums and mixes also feature guest vocalists and instrumentalists.
Sound characteristics
Cross-genre: A mixture of disco, cosmic, house, jazz, Afro, and even rock and prog elements.
Remix sense: He is known for his “space travel” remixes that boldly change the structure of the original song and extend it to over 10 minutes.
Curation: Their DJ sets and compilations are experiences that involve storytelling, not just song selection.
In summary, Mungolian Jet Set is a fusion of Strangefruit’s (Paul Nyhus) DJ sensibilities and Knut Sævik’s studio production abilities, and is a genre-defying “Scandinavian cosmic disco” maverick.
Recommended albums by generation
| Year | Album | Artist | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | It’s A Feedelity Affair | Lindstrøm | Amazon |
| 2006 | Schlungs | Mungolian Jet Set | Amazon |
| 2008 | Where You Go I Go Too | Lindstrøm | Rakuten |
| 2009 | We Gave It All Away… And Now We Are Taking It Back | Mungolian Jet Set | Amazon |
| 2010 | PRINS THOMAS | Prins Thomas | Amazon |
| 2012 | II | Prins Thomas | Amazon |
| 2017 | It’s Alright Between Us As It Is | Lindstrøm | Amazon |
Documentary film (preview)
A documentary film depicting the history and development of the Norwegian dance music scene.Focusing on the northern city of Tromsø, it follows the activities of cosmic/nu-disco artists such as Prince Thomas, Lindstrom, and Todd Tellier, and introduces the rise of clubs and labels, young DJs, and the expansion of party culture.It delves deeply into the scene’s formation process, musical background, and international reputation through videos and interviews.
<iframe width=”560” height=”315” src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/pxY9SMN9Yl4?si=Xrq7OF5z6NY_fmmx” title=”YouTube video player” frameborder=”0” allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share”referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
Analysis: Why Norwegian disco is internationally acclaimed
- Texture aesthetics: The coexistence of Scandinavian ways of creating “space” (reverb and spaciousness) with a warm analog feel.
- Long track culture: A style that emphasizes the “journey” through albums rather than clubs.
- Cross-cultural references: Free references to Italo, French disco, and even folk music elements.
lastly
Prins Thomas, Lindstrøm, and Mungolian Jet Set continue to send out ``temperature disco’’ from Norway to the world.Given their musical background and production work, their tracks go beyond mere dance music and provide a listening experience tinged with a Scandinavian sense of time/landscape.
Explore more like this
The Rapture – Olio
The Rapture is a band from New York formed in 1998.Characterized by a style that mixes the tastes of various genres such as dance punk, post-punk, acid house, disco, electronica,...
The Rapture – Olio
The Rapture(ザ・ラプチャー)は、1998年に結成したNY出身のバンド。ダンスパンク、ポストパンク、アシッドハウス、ディスコ、エレクトロニカ、ロックなど様々なジャンルのテイストをミックスしたスタイルが特徴で、2000年代初頭のポストパンクリバイバルからのダンス・パンクムーブメントの中心的バンド。
【コラム】 ノルウェーのディスコ：Prins Thomas、Mungolian Jet Set、Lindstrøm の系譜とおすすめ盤
ノルウェーのディスコ：Prins Thomas、Mungolian Jet Set、Lindstrøm の系譜
【コラム】 ディスコと日本文化の交差から現在まで — 歴史・名盤・機材・クラブ文化
Consideration from the intersection of 70s disco and Japanese culture to the present
【コラム】 ディスコと日本文化の交差から現在まで — 歴史・名盤・機材・クラブ文化
70年代ディスコと日本文化の交差から現在までの考察
Benjamin Theves – Texas
Benjamin Theves is an electronic artist/producer from France.
Benjamin Theves – Texas
Benjamin Thevesは、フランス出身のエレクトロニック・アーティスト／プロデューサー。
Zongamin – Zongamin
Mukai Susumu Mukai, also known as Zongamin, is a Japanese musician and producer based in the UK.He is active as a remixer for Air, Playgroup, Graffiti, John Cale, Mickey Moonlight,...
Zongamin – Zongamin
ZongaminことMukai Susumu Mukaiは、UKを拠点に活動する日本出身のミュージシャン兼プロデューサー。 Air, Playgroup, Graffiti, John Cale, Mickey Moonlight, Headman, Sandro Perri, Alexis Taylor, Seelenluft等のremixerとして活躍しており、Vanishing Twin, Becker & Mukai, Off World, Stalactite, School Of Hypnosisのメンバーとしてプレイしている。
.webp)
Armand Van Helden – My My My (Remixes)
A collection of remixes of “My My My” from Armand Van Helden’s album “New York: A Mix Odyssey”.
Armand Van Helden – My My My (Remixes)
Armand Van Helden（アーマンドヴァンヘルデン）のアルバム「New York: A Mix Odyssey」に収録されている「My My My」のremix集。
