TONO studio:
– I feel that the TONO studios are a gift to the members, says artist, rapper and producer Kristine Utne Stiberg, one of many who have used the TONO studios. Fjord Music and Jenny August and Julie Kleive are also happy with the studio facilities in the TONO building.
/ 21/09/2026 / Willy MartinsenIn May, TONO opened the four studios in TONO Studio for members. On both the top floor and the basement floor, TONO members can book time and work on music creation for free. The studios were fully booked a few hours after they opened, and throughout the summer there has been a lot of activity in the four rooms. Experience has shown that this not only leads to new music, but also strengthens the contact between members and TONO. Here you can read about how some of the members have experienced the studios.
In August, Kristine Utne Stiberg, formerly known as "Kristine becomes a rapper" and now "Always Kristine", used TONO studios to record vocals for her upcoming album. It was her first time working in the new member studios in the TONO house.
– They were so fresh! It wasn't the typical band-boy mess you experience in other studios, she says and laughs. – Everything worked very smoothly, you could choose the color of the lights, there was good air. It was completely quiet, and ideal conditions for both listening and recording vocals. And the lunch was good!
The studios opened to members earlier this year, as part of TONO's new music house in Kongens gate in Oslo. Since opening, the rooms have been used for writing new music and new lyrics, for songwriting camps, vocal recordings, mixing and mastering. For Kristine, the stay was also something more than just music.
– While we were making waffles for lunch, I got into a conversation with someone in accounting. They said, “Come and eat with us.” That makes TONO less formal, and more than just something you get or send emails to.
She got what she came for.
– I recorded vocals on two songs as planned. The album will be released in the spring, but new material will be released already in the fall.
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When Jenny Augusta and Julie Kleive planned the annual project July August, they decided to visit different places throughout the year. The duo creates folk-inspired music with two-part singing, harp, organ and 12-string guitar, and wanted new surroundings that could provide inspiration.
– We thought that is "We can be!" It also fit well with our budget, says Jenny Augusta.
In the studios they have recorded vocals, mixed, mastered and further developed new material.
– The studios are very good. I have worked both on the top floor and in the basement. The studio on the top floor was very nice, and if you get all the way up to the roof terrace during the break, you have a view of the city. The basement rooms have a different character, but are also very nice rooms to work in, she says.
Julie Kleive has used the studios downstairs.
– The rooms are nice, and it's great to work there. They have the equipment we need.
Both point out that working in TONO's studios is also social:
– Many people sit alone and make music, but here you meet people. Every time I've been there I've met someone I studied with, says Jenny Augusta.
– It's also nice to meet in a neutral place, adds Julie.
The studios also bring them closer to TONO, they say:
– We have spoken with Stian at TONO, and given feedback on how the studios can be even better. It feels like we are being listened to. It is nice to be able to provide input and help influence how the service works.
They also reveal one special bonus of working at TONO studios:
– We really like the roof terrace!
Follow July August on Instagram and here you will find links to both music and videos.
The music company Fjord Music, run by Morten Franck and Kristin Seiersten, which works with artist development, management, publishing and songwriting camps, has used the premises for a songwriting camp for the artist Emmy. The result was more than they had hoped for.
– We got 10–12 songs out of the camp, says Morten.
Several of the songs have already generated interest from DJ artists who want to collaborate with Emmy. He describes the studios as new, well-thought-out and professionally equipped.
– The sound is so good that the recordings we make there can be used directly for releases.
Fjord Music believes the offer meets the needs of many Norwegian songwriters, composers and producers:
– It is very nice that TONO has built studios that can be used by members. For us, this is right on target. We also hope that TONO will eventually create similar offers in more places in the country, he says. – We also hope that there will be a permanent solution that makes it easier to use the studios also in the evenings and on weekends.
Follow Fjord Music on Instagram, og Emmy's Instagram can be found here. Listen Emmy's latest album here.
Read about the studios, and see an overview of upcoming booking periods on this page: