Acknowledgements
This artistic research project marks the final step in my Masters graduation at the University of Agder. It has given me a lot of insight into my own artistic practice, as well as helping me immeasurably with developing as a performing musician and DJ. I plan to use this platform as a springboard to continue bringing in live elements in my DJ gigs in the future, and to finalise productions and release club music under my artist name Brita°UT. The goal is to present myself as a unique and cohesive DJ-producer and performer.
I would like to thank my sister and best friend Andrea Urstad Toft and my amazing parents Maia Urstad and Lars Ove Toft for supporting me from day one, especially at moments when I doubted myself and the career path within music. The additional support received during the final stages of writing the Master’s project played a pivotal role in ensuring its successful completion.
I extend gratitude to Robert Graeff for his encouragement, deep talks, and exceptional photographic skills, which I dearly appreciate for their invaluable contribution to my work life; and deep gratitude goes to Ellen A. W. Sunde and Torstein Nilssen for their collaboration in the adventure that is Klubb Kosmos - not to mention the cherished extended family time with countless dinners and support throughout the past two years. Gratitude to my cousin for not only being a lovely family member but also a steadfast friend and source of support.
Gratitude extends to Anneli Drecker, my first supervisor, for getting me started when first arriving at UiA in 2021. Thank you to my classmates at UiA for the supporting and friendly learning environment. I would also like to thank Jan Bang for the inspiring lessons in the Electronic Music Forum at UiA, and for putting me in touch with my supervisor Trond Lossius.
A great thank you goes to my supervisor Trond Lossius. I appreciate so much the talk in Edvard Grieg's old atelier, and for meeting up in Kristiansand, Bergen, Oslo, and on Zoom. Your insight into artistic research has been of significant importance. During our talks you were always enthusiastic about my project, especially in the times I felt unsure, this had an immensely positive effect and for this I am very grateful! I’m looking forward to discussing music practices with you again in the future - but without the pressure of writing this research project.
A heartfelt thank you to Freya Marshall for invaluable assistance in proofreading this research project. I am grateful it was you who moved into my flatshare 10+ years ago in Berlin. Your friendship is treasured, and I look forward to more adventures together in the future. I express my gratitude to Eva Rowson for her guidance and insights, which gave me comfort in navigating some of the thought processes during this project. A special thank you to Johanne Øra Danielsen for taking the time to meet over coffee in Bergen, where she generously assisted me in the search for pioneer women and non-binary DJs in Norway.
Gratitude goes to Cornerteateret for providing the space for my hybrid performance. A sincere thank you, especially to my dad, Lars Ove Toft, for his dedicated work in filming and editing the hybrid performance documentation video. His support, along with numerous coffees, lunch and optimistic encouragement, is truly appreciated. And finally thank you to my dear friends and family who attended as the audience.
