[Hear The Curator Mixtape here]
This month’s curator mixtape comes to us from Paulin, a musician and curator who’s spent nearly two decades in Drøbak, Norway. After playing a Sofar in Santa Monica in 2017, the classically trained cellist eventually brought Sofar back to her home community. Hear Paulin’s dynamic curator mixtape playlist, and a little bit more about Drøbak.
What drew you to curating shows?
I have been a musician for more than 30 years and I have also arranged many concerts and a few small festivals earlier. I really like the atmosphere of playing in small spaces for people who are genuinely there for the music. I also like the concept of being able to travel and play for new people where you would normally not be able to gather a crowd. Last year I got more time to work ideally with things that bring people together and make them happy, after both my children moved out to pursue their own careers as musicians.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Drøbak?
My new favorite thing to do here is to arrange the Sofar shows. I am dreaming of an outdoor sunset show on a beautiful beach close to my home this summer. Hoping for good weather and that people are willing to walk a bit from the town centre to experience something magic.
What’s something special about your city only locals might know?
If you walk just 15 minutes south of the town centre you will find the most beautiful (and not so crowded) small beaches where you can enjoy the view of the Oslofjord and take a refreshing swim in the summertime. Some of the locals go for a swim every week through the year, but I am a summer swimmer myself.
Thoughts on a couple standout tracks from the curator mixtape?
Thomas Dybdahl | “River”
I want to introduce you to one of my favorite Norwegian artists, Thomas Dybdahl. His voice is just unique and his songs are catchy and cool in a quiet way that I just love. I chose his track “River” where he is featuring another young and talented Norwegian musician, Beharie [who] makes modern music inspired by indie-soul and is worth listening to as well.
Paulin Voss | “The River”
Since I am a musician myself I included my own track, a song that I wrote for my daughter after our family went through some very tough times. The song is about unconditional love and wanting to protect your child from all evil in the world, even as they grow older. The lyrics came straight from my heart and it was very hard for me to perform it on stage without crying when I had first written and released it in 2020. Here are two rivers of love for you.
Interview by Sofar Editorial Team
