Deeprhythms

Anna Kohlin has been shaping Stockholm’s underground from the inside. A long-time fixture behind decks and party lineups she sure knows how to read a room and flip it.

Her sets splice 90s house, tech-house, and breaks with newer oddities. Her approach is as precise as it’s loose but never too clean. Expect gear shifts not gradients.

If you’ve danced at Stockholm venues such as Under Bron, NEU or anywhere slightly off-grid, you’ve likely caught her in her element.

As a producer, she’s released on Slump Recordings, Dirty Hands, KMA60, and Makemake Tapes. Her label, Inside Out, leans on the sound of the underground with cuts from Basement Space, Baby Rollén, Eric OS and herself.

Hi there, how’s things? Can you introduce yourself briefly to our listeners?

Hej hej! I’m a DJ, producer and label owner of Inside Out Records based in Stockholm, Sweden. 

What’s been keeping you busy of late.? You’re a DJ, producer and a label owner.

On the label side, I’ve been busy putting out our second imprint on Inside Out earlier this year, featuring some of my favorite producers: Basement Space, Måns Glaeser, Baby Rollén and Eric OS. Fun times!

Other than that I’m trying to focus on spending as much time as possible in my studio finishing project. I have a few releases lined up this year which is exciting and scary at the same time. 

Tell us about your vision for Inside Out and what’s in the pipeline?

The idea of Inside Out first started as a club series that then evolved into a label run by myself and my close friend Koorosh – who is also a great DJ. Mostly out of a need to create something together, book exciting artists and curate a music platform and output with the label.

The plan is to continue releasing music from mostly Swedish underground artists and create interesting combinations of sounds crossing house, breaks and techno. But we want it to be a creative platform and output rather than tied to a specific sound.

There will also be a few more clubs nights coming up with international bookings. 

Pick one release out of the catalogue and tell us a story behind it, please?

The first release on the label was a special one as me and Basement Space decided to do a split EP together which was HUGE for me as he’s been a major influence since I started producing. I really adore his sound and he inspires me to try new things and evolve as a producer.

For the EP, Koorosh and Patrik (Basement Space) chose my tracks out of a list of demos which was really helpful for my performance anxiety. Having people who’s taste I trust to select my productions. Which has been the case on the second release as well. 

What about DJ’ing, and how did you get started?

I started around 12 years ago in my hometown Västerås. I have always been quite nerdy about music and found that DJing was the right creative output for me. I bought some cheap equipment and started practicing at home.

Eventually I got in contact with the only female DJ in the city who helped me get my first gig (which I’m incredibly grateful for). Later I moved to Stockholm to study and eventually got more and more gigs. After 5 years or so I started collecting and playing vinyl. Rest is history! 

When you select records for your sets, what’s your approach like?

First I want to know as much as possible about the gig: set times, how long I’m playing, who is playing before and after etc. I always start with preparing tracks I think will suit the vibe when thinking of those parameters, but honestly it can go either way.

I enjoy not knowing everything and exploring as you go to fit the mood and crowd. 

I just need to ask, how’s your vinyl record collection organised? 

I have it organised to different levels of moods and energies rather than genres or artists. So it’s only me who really gets the set up haha. I rather like to think of what feeling the music is making me feel, and what setting it is suitable for.

It’s very much about going with your instinct for me.

Name five tracks or releases that are currently on heavy rotation?

How have you evolved as a producer? 

I’d like to think that I’m less anxious about producing and have a stronger ability to connect to a feeling when creating. I’ve accepted that I’ll never feel fully finished or will never stop comparing myself to my peers.

Just trying to create as much as possible without judgement, making it a habit and output rather than “now I’m going to create my next release” has been an important step for me. 

What’s your studio setup like and what’s your current favorite gear? 

I have the luxury of sharing a studio with pros Maya Lourenco/Parallax Deep and Bella Sarris. There’s a lot of amazing gear to pick and choose from. Recently I’ve been using Roland JV-1080, E-MU Orbit The Dance Planet and Yamaha DX200 the most. 

What does the coming 12 months hold for you in regards of releases, collaborations etc.?

I have one full EP, 3 various artists releases and a remix coming up!

Can you name a few local acts, events or locations that should be on people’s radar?

Mattias El Mansouri might be the biggest rising name from Stockholm at the moment with a lot of international gigs and releases. Another local favorite of mine is Vanilla. Her selection is always killer, crossing different genres and styles that never disappoints. Both of them are also sweethearts which is the best combo in my opinion: talented and NICE.

On the underground scene Stilio and Botanica have a really high production standard and great curation. Make sure to time your next Stockholm visit to one of their parties. 

So the mix, can you tell us a little something about that? 

Lately, I’ve been drawn to rolling tech-house from the ‘90s and early 2000s. There’s something about the way they lock into a groove that somehow feels timeless. So there’s a few records with that theme in the mix along with more house and melodic-heavy cuts.

I really enjoy the dynamic and contrast blending genres and old & new tracks to create these shifts in energy with a sense of push and pull. Around 29mins in you can hear an upcoming release of mine 🙂 

Many thanks, anything else?

Thank you so much for having me!