Kohib is the producer alias of the multi-faceted and talented Norwegian artist Øivind Andersen Sjøvoll. The DJ, producer and club promoter has been producing exquisite and far-reaching music for two decades, releasing cosmic-centric sounds on labels such as Beatservice, Paper and Sprechen, and in compilation series such as Buddha Bar. With a glorious tone that ranges from the sweetest sunset soundtracks to throbbing meta-disco drift, his expansive sonic palette is at once rich in vibrant luminosity and refreshingly difficult to predict.
Hailing from Sortland in northern Norway, he has been a key figure in Tromsø’s emerging club scene since 1997, initially performing solely as a DJ before adding the role of promoter to his repertoire. Sjøvoll’s musical debut came as a member of the group Parliavox in 2001, where he and his bandmates skilfully blended a jazz-funk essence with elements of house and electronica. Following in the proud lineage of Nordic meta-disco, two years later he began his solo electronic production journey, and his recording debut came in 2005, when his track Truger appeared on Beatservice Records’ Prima Norsk 3 compilation. In 2010, Beatservice again sheltered Kohib’s first album, Make Fire, with a remix release a year later, and in 2020 the long-awaited second album, In Mountains, was released to critical acclaim.
Outside the studio, he has been no less active. In 1998, he and a few friends founded the legendary Yaz’n club, Norway’s smallest, which quickly became famous for its deliciously sweaty nights. He then owned and operated the revered Circa club/café for 15 years, a jewel of the Tromsø club scene, and is now part of the live stages at Storgata Camping and Amtmandens.
Following his collaboration with Helle Larsen on Sidewalk Confessions, his latest track raises the energy levels by presenting a superbly seductive, vocal-centric club cut.
On Golden Skies, Kohib once again joins forces with talented vocalist Lydia Waits, whose soulful performance shines like a beacon over Kohib’s deft groove. Crisp drums drive the hypnotic rhythm over an underwater bassline, while icy pads and synth percussion combine to spellbinding effect, effortlessly building Waits’ thrilling and eminently engaging chorus section. This is emotive, immaculately produced and richly atmospheric work from Kohib, bridging the gap between cultured Deep House and celestially charged Nu-Disco to create a track that is utterly memorable and deeply effective on the dancefloor.
Golden Skies release date: February 25th on Beatservice Records
