At the buzzing MSI space during the Nexus Lounge experience, Nexus Radio’s Paolo sat down with one of dance music’s most charismatic forces: Ørjan Nilsen. Known worldwide for his infectious energy, genre-blending sound, and two decades of nonstop creativity, Ørjan arrived—exhausted yet electrified—ready to share the stories behind his stamina, artistic evolution, and unwavering passion for music.
Paolo opened with a simple greeting: “Hi, man. How are you?” Ørjan laughed, revealing the reality of a true performer’s life: “I am super tired but super energetic as well… yesterday I played 10 hours.” Twenty years into his career, this level of commitment is par for the course.
Born in the remote Norwegian town of Kirkenes, Ørjan transformed himself into a global DJ known for his chunky, groovy signature and vibrant personality. His rise has taken him from small Arctic beginnings to the biggest international stages. And when he speaks about the worldwide dance scene—especially in the Netherlands—his admiration is unmistakable. “A lot of DJs come out of the Netherlands… there’s something about the whole vibe.”
While music drives him, Ørjan finds balance through another passion: gaming. “If I want my own personal space and a different headspace, I go to gaming,” he shared. It’s a reminder that even high-energy artists need their own form of escape.
Fans eager for updates were treated to exciting news—Ørjan has several new projects in motion. His track “Melo Mechanics” recently premiered, and he’s exploring a drum & bass alias as he continues pushing boundaries. He also touched on his collaborative project Nilsix with Mark Sixma, showing just how wide his creative universe has grown.
During a round of rapid-fire questions, Ørjan opened up about the deeper emotional layers of his music. Though inspired by Hans Zimmer—especially the iconic Inception soundtrack—his most meaningful track remains “La Guitarra.” “I made it when I was full of grief because my big brother died… it’s me paying homage to him.”
Surprisingly, Ørjan also has ambitions beyond the studio. With a love for sci-fi and adventure, he dreams of one day stepping into acting—“a bucket list thing,” he admits, proving that his creative curiosity extends far beyond the DJ booth.
Reflecting on 20 years of artistry, Ørjan summed up his philosophy with a line fans won’t forget:
“Music is all around me… I can find music in a faulty refrigerator that goes on a certain beat.”
Driven, inspired, and endlessly imaginative, Ørjan Nilsen continues to evolve while staying true to the passion that started it all. Listen to the full interview below.
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