A classically trained musician since childhood, Jonas Stenberg moved on to compose EDM in the late 90's. The first releases came in 2003, with two tracks featured on Swedish trance compilations. Past releases including ‘Inducer’, ‘Enhancer’ and ‘Memories’, his support list includes most of the regulars in the scene including Tiesto, Sander van Doorn and Marco V.
Spending 2007 in Australia as part of his studies for a Degree in Biotech Engineering, he's back with Richard Durand covering the country for In Search of Sunrise.
Enjoying life and Summer in Sweden, Jonas has a lot to plan for his next trip to Australia including his flights. "Flights not booked," he laughed, "heading down for three weeks," splitting his time between the Tour, catching up with friends and "exploring the beach!!"
Returning since he lived here in 2007 for 12 month on exchange for Uni, he stills considers himself lucky for being in Melbourne. "I met a lot of people in the dance music scene, so getting touch with them," during this tour. He "played on NYD," for what was nothing short of a "great year studying, travelling and playing." Coming back to the Metro, (Palace) in Melbourne, "I know it well, met Marcel Woods there for Pharmacy last time."
At only 26, music is certainly his passion and ultimate goal in life. Although Jonas is nothing short of realistic. Being part of a demanding industry, he's got a solid Plan B. His degree was in biotech engineering, focusing on "how the body works and medicine interactions within the body, I took the right choice having the back up, " he admits. He's "working part time in a small company developing a device to study interaction in cells; Cancer research." Putting himself in the perfect scenario, his time is split between "music and saving lives."
"Music is number 1, my first preference," he said, "my boss is fully aware of this, I let him know in advance," he jokes "he'll be fine! Right now its good to have music and work, the reality. Together they work well. I cannot do music all the time and need somewhere to get my inspiration." The sounds you can hear anywhere in the world at the moment come from everything around him, "tracks just pop up," he said, from "being outside, watching a movie, maybe having an idea in your head. Its easier than just sitting there trying to get an idea down. Take something that pops in your head and build it."
Here in September, fans and the audience of In Search of Sunrise can expect, "definitely bang out tech trance, new records, tracks from friends. A remix of Tiesto's I am strong (which is also coming out in September)." Competing for time between now and then, "also working on 3 vocals tracks, so at least 2 to test out! Remix of a rock style track hoping to finish before the tour." He also holding out a little hope to "close the party!!!"
The check list before he'll be playing is pretty straight forward, aiming to "just relax, try to see it from the audience's perspective and go with the flow. It's always great with a good monitor system," he laughed. He's an easy man to please, "some need their lucky underpants or one day (I will) have freaky behaviour, but not now."
His style has changed a touch as he's "now onto Cds! Back in 2007 I playing with Ableton. Now it's slowed down for me a little but working out." The style too moving in an almost opposite direction than others when it comes to production and DJ'ing, "I have been a producer for 10 years, I only started DJ'ing a few years ago." The plan is to keep with it as long as possible, "as long as people enjoy what I do its great." It all began at home "5 or 6 years ago, it was more for myself and family. When I went to a club, like Global Gathering, I thought 'what would be great would playing my own tracks to the crowd.' When I started working with Marcel, I started to really pursue it for a bit of income. These days noone buys records, and I really enjoy DJ'ing."
Another thing this man enjoyed was his previous time living in Australia. But how educational was it? ClubAntix pinned him down with a quick quiz (taken in-between a major Mathematics Exam, producing and two huge gigs):
1. Capital city of Australia? Canberra
2. Our legal drinking age? 18 - same as the legal driving age! (?)
3. Our national Coat of Arms includes two animals, which are: Hmm my qualified guess would be platypus and kangaroo
4. Would you eat either answer from Question 3? Haha considering the tricky feel of this question the kangaroo might be wrong on 3, but I'm taking the risk to say yes, one of them, and it's delicious!
5. Do you like Hugh Jackman? Not the biggest fan of the X-men movies but he is a decent actor I think.
6. What is actually cooked on a BBQ? Let's chuck some shrimps, sausages and all types of meat on that barbie!
7. The country stops for one sporting race, this is? I go for the Sydney - Hobart race, I actually saw the beginning walking between Bondi and Coogee three years ago, a nice experience.
8. Australians are best known for: The late crocodile hunter Steve Irwin, the Sydney Opera House, surfing, Ayers Rock, didgeridoos, koalas and kangaroos (it was impossible for me to pick out only one thing...)
9. Best part about staying here for 12 months: To make so many great new friends!
10. Our scariest animal: I'd say the sea wasp / stinger, don't wanna have those nasty tentacles wrapped around your leg as the last thing in life...
11. Would you bring your family over for a visit? Already did but my brother couldn't make it, I would definitely do it again with the whole bunch.
12. Can you swim? Yeah, in relatively calm waters, but probably not so good against a rip current!
13. Can you fix out national economy? I'm currently busy with the Swedish one, I'll get back to you once I'm finished and had a look at the situation down under...
14. Most annoying habit of Australians? (we don't get offended ;) Hmm the only thing I can think of right now is your annoying habit of driving on the wrong side of the road...
15. One thing Australians must know before travelling to Sweden: We're driving on the right side of the road!
With almost perfect marks here, we're letting him back into the country to show us the 'right' way to do things.
For more information about In Search of Sunrise in Australia; keep up to date with the Tour:
KillRockStar Entertainment Facebook Page
Friday 3 September Rise Nightclub (Perth)
Saturday 4 September Gaelic Theatre (Sydney)
Friday 10 September Family Nightclub (Brisbane)
Saturday 11 September Palace Theatre (Melbourne)
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