Orjan Nilsen

Orjan Nilsen is a Norwegian trance DJ and producer from Sør-Varanger, with an early background in drum kits, keyboard playing and music production. He is active under his own name and also as O & R and nilsix. His sound is associated with trance, including progressive trance, melodic trance, uplifting trance and tech trance.

Early life and musical development

Nilsen is born in 1982 and grows up in Kirkenes, Norway. He begins playing drums at the age of one and receives instruction from his father and brother for the first nine years of his life. He gets his first keyboard at seven and practises it regularly for several years. By his teenage years, melody and rhythm become central to his musical interests, and trance becomes the style that attracts him most.

After listening to trance compilations from Holland, he becomes interested in making similar music himself, although lack of money and technical knowledge delays that for a while. At sixteen, he gets a synthesizer with an onboard sequencer and drum machine, which allows him to build drums, basslines, melodies, strings and chords. About a year later, he learns how to produce music on a computer.

Breakthrough and production work

By the end of 2004, Nilsen has made several unofficial remixes and original productions that attract attention in the trance.nu community. His music begins to receive play on radio stations and in clubs around the world, although nothing is signed to a label at that stage.

In summer 2005, his remix of Virunga’s Simbabwe is played by Danjo & Styles on Playground, and later by Yanave on Retinal Insight. This leads to increased interest in his work. In September 2005, he makes Red Woods, which marks a further step in his breakthrough. He later releases a substantial body of club-oriented tracks, including Arctic Globe, which reaches number one on the Dutch Dance Charts.

Style and reach

Nilsen’s music is played and broadcast internationally by major trance DJs including Armin van Buuren, Tiësto, Paul van Dyk and Ferry Corsten. He continues to perform internationally as a DJ and producer.

Aliases and label work

He records as O & R and nilsix in addition to Orjan Nilsen. He is associated with the label In My Opinion.