Convo No. 6
22 y/o
Nationality: Bosnian, Norwegian
Lives in Oslo, Norway
Travelled countries: Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Poland, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Montenegro, UK
How would you describe yourself?
Stubborn (with the good and bad), determined, and don't take no for an answer.
You’re following your dream and now creating music under the artist name TMSD (Thrill Matters Sanjin Dulic). What made you go all in?
I had a moment where I got a bit tired of everything I was doing, the situation I was in. People around me seemed to always have the same stories to tell about what they were up to. They were okay with university etc. being their path, but for me that would simply mean to follow the norm and go against what I really want to be doing, which is music.
Music has been, and maybe still is to some extent, considered an impossible route for me, and the idea of proving people wrong really motivates me. It’s become my challenge. Both when I started out and now, what I do isn’t considered cool by inner circles before it’s acknowledged by the wider public or the general ‘others’. I think in a couple of years this sort of attitude will change, that taking a less travelled route becomes more accepted, especially because of the influence of social media.
When did you start creating music?
I’ve been doing it for quite a long time, but have gone through different stages of how serious I’ve taken it as I’ve got older. I started experimenting already in primary school, but wouldn’t say it was till 2017 that I really went for it. Starting out I would listen a lot, buy CDs of artists I liked, mostly hip hop and R&B, take a notebook and write the lyrics down. Through that I got to understand English as a language, (because most of the songs were in English), and also how to build a song. That’s how I learned ‘this is how you do it’ so to say. The first time I published music online was probably through Myspace in 2008.
What inspires your lyrics?
The things that I write about are almost always inspired by my own experiences. Sometimes I get so caught up in making music, and that tends to create problems for my creativity. What seems to work is simply getting back to living life.
How would you describe the journey that took you to where you are today?
Slow, but as expected. I was never interested in being an overnight sensation only to be overlooked the next day.
TMSD and Oral Bee in Chateau Neuf, Oslo
What’s been your biggest moment in music till now?
I’d say 2017 was my debut, but my breakthrough in the way I see it is yet to come. I’m a bit unsure of exactly what it will be, whether it’s the number of streams, a certain collaboration etc. Since 2017 there’s been quite a few things I’ve felt were big moments, but mostly because others have told they were. I struggle a bit with seeing it this way. I don’t look back or stop to think about it. I’m not taking the time to enjoy the ‘now’. It’s a gift and a curse. For me it keeps me always looking ahead.
There’s still one moment I’d mention. Last year I did a warm-up for the American rapper Riff Raff. Basically, when I found out he was performing in Oslo I wanted to pass him some of my music and hear his thoughts on it. Through Instagram I texted a few people that work with him and due to good conversation and luck I managed to meet him in Oslo. The next day I was sent a text about warming up for him at his show in Bergen the following day. I’m not sure I’d be so excited about being booked by an external company, but because Riff Raff personally invited me to Bergen after meeting them in Oslo it was really great! I think everyone seeks acknowledgment, and when you get confirmation from someone so established in the industry that’s an amazing motivation boost.
How do you see yourself progressing from this, what’s the plan?
I feel I don’t need to do things much differently from what I’m doing now, but at the same time the society that we live in isn’t very easily satisfied. There are new things all the time, movies, music etc. And that means you sort of need to find your methods to keep yourself going and keep up. I feel society now has become a bit like a big newsfeed where everyone just tries to get acknowledgement for what they’re doing. And in this space I need to make myself visible. My main focus is to reach as many as possible, through new releases, videos, music, make sure my name appears in conversations. But the day only has 24 hours, so doing music next do a full time job I really wish there was an additional 5 of them... It’s all about figuring out how much I prioritise my music, and for me music is by far the most important right now.
In studio with Mr. Pimp-Lotion
Did you have any moments of surprise going into the music industry?
Yes, I was often surprised by other people in the industry, both good and bad. Everyone obviously has their own agenda, working towards their own goals. The entire experience is like a roller coaster, I can have one week where I have a couple of things that really demotivate me and the next week other things that bring me up, all depending on the agenda of other people. Sometimes you’ll hear that your music is cool, but not cool enough. But you learn, and take things with you as you go forward. Everything can have an impact on me, but it’s up to me do decide what does and how.
In the music industry people know of each other, they know other people work with the same as they do, but to collaborate just based on that very few do. It’s a bit like high school where everyone has their own group of friends, and you have to figure out whether you want to be a part of one of these groups, and if so how, or if you want to stand alone. I’m not to obsessed about fitting in, although you need to to some extent. It’s not the most important to me to force friendships, I’d rather have it happen organically. Some collaborations develop into friendships and others remain professional. As for the artists I’ve worked with till now (Meta Four, Pumba, Oral Bee, Mr. Pimp-Lotion, Mr. Criminal...), it’s all happened because I got in touch with them. For some being persistent (or nagging?) might be uncomfortable, but no one is going to do the work for me.
Are there other avenues you want to pursue?
First of all I want to succeed with my music. The bigger plan is to create a larger brand related to entertainment, film, music etc. A media house giving others the opportunity and platform to present their ideas and other cool things within the entertainment industry.
What would be your advice to people that are on the verge of going all in but hold themselves back?
Think about it before you take the first step, before you do something publicly. Be clear with yourself that this is what you want more than anything else. I think there has to be more to it than simply thinking it would be fun to give it a go. Start with yourself basically.
With all we see going on around us how do you look at our generation and the time to come?
I think that we already now live in a very scary time on all fronts. I feel there is a clearer, growing divide between people, filled with hatred and bad energy. I fear it will get worse for those after us. I’m also constantly surprised about what people write and share online, and what people governing this country speak of, and where their energy is spent. It’s good that social media now can make us see what’s happening behind closed doors and what’s really on people’s minds.
What’s the dream?
First to succeed with my music. I want success, I want money, it’s very straightforward. Cliché, but money is what makes the world spin around, it’s a key that opens many doors. All in all I want to be leaving something behind.
Favourites:
Country/city: Stockholm (Sweden). Don’t know why but the times I’ve been there have just been really good times, and the city is beautiful!
Music Artist(s): Dr. Dre. He’s an artist that I’ve grown to like more and more as I’ve got older, someone I look up to and am inspired by.
Book(s): Being of the Harry Potter generation and all I’m a big fan of the books and films. Also, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (a novel by Becky Albertalli) has changed how I view many things in my life. I think it aged me.
