LIDO Interview: “I Try to Make Music I Would Want to Hear”

Peter Losnegard, also known as Lido, was born in Tysvaer, Norway. He has been developing his own sound for years, learning how music continues to rapidly change. The past few years have been major steps for Lido in his career having produced tracks for Chance The Rapper, Jaden Smith, Halsey, and Chicago rapper Towkio.

His resume speaks for itself, conveying the kind of craft and credibility he brings to the game. He manifested a unique punch to Towkio’s breakout single “Symphony” that earned them a one-way ticket to the stage at The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. He’s been doing this since the age of ten, writing music from the piano and the drums. Now on to the big stage, PureGrainAudio sat down with Lido to discuss his road towards stardom and what is next for the accomplished producer. You can purchase Lido’s new EP I O U 2 right here.

Here’s that Towkio performance of “Symphony” from The Tonight Show, featuring Teddy Jackson.

To start off, you came all the way from Norway. You are entirely self-taught. You played the drums when you were ten years old. You became an Internet sensation not too long after and signed a deal with record label Pelican Fly/Because Music. What did you do to become an internet sensation?
Lido: No idea. I followed my instinct, ignored the rules, made a bunch of music I really loved and I put it on the internet. I was lucky that people connected with it and decided to spread it and share it.

In Norway, what is the music scene like and how did you react/adapt to it to become a producer and develop your own sound?
Lido: The music scene is very much alive and there’s a lot of incredible producers and musicians out there. I grew up a bit isolated and think that has a lot to do with why it’s hard to find a genre for my music. I didn’t have mentors or peers to tell me the rules, just a lot of time spent on the internet soaking up all the music I could find.

What are things you think about while producing a song, to appeal to not only your style of sound but what listeners might want to listen to?
Lido: I try to make the music I would want to hear. I think my fans and I are very similar people so usually, we like the same things. If I overthink if other people will like it, it rarely comes out good.

Who did you draw from inspiration from in music? Who are some of your favourite artists that you listened to and currently listen to?
Lido: I grew up with gospel music being the main thing played in the house. My dad also played a lot of Lauryn Hill and Steely Dan. Hearing Rustie and Sinjin Hawk really made me want to make electronic music, so they inspired a lot of my sound for a long time.

As a hip-hop head I think it is so cool that you had the opportunity to work with Chance the Rapper. What was it like to work with him and how did that collaboration materialize?
Lido: He discovered my music through Towkio and reached out. He’s incredibly intuitive and brilliantly creative. Always surrounding himself with incredible musicians and we have so much fun.

Of course, you have traveled to many places across the world. Where is the best place to play a show and why?
Lido: Tokyo is my favorite place in the world. So inspiring. I think my favorite places to play would either be Sydney, San Francisco or Chicago.

While growing up and up until now, what are some things you like to do when you’re not in the studio producing music? For example, video games, sports, reading…
Lido: I try to read as much as I can and love going to the movies. But I do spend a lot of time inside, so I try to get as much sun as I can when I don’t make music (hence me being very pale, I rarely don’t make music).

Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Lido: Either living in Tokyo or Chicago, producing and performing with my friends who also happen to be the best musicians in the world.

“Vultures” is the new single and music video from Lido’s I O U 2 EP.