Tora Dahle Aagård can get 500 messages on Instagram in a day. The songwriter, guitarist and vocalist in the single-hitting TORA has over 100,000 followers on her channel where she shares guitar videos. The social media has motivated her to practice and develop as an instrumentalist.
/ 05/06/2020 / Kristian DugstadName: Tora Dahle Aagård
Current with: Lately (Single)
TONO member since: 2015
Who are you, Tora?
I am 26 years old and come from Flatanger in Trøndelag. I am a guitarist, singer and songwriter in my band TORA. I live in Oslo and have lived here for three years. I just completed my bachelor's degree at Kristiania University College where I studied Popular Music.
Can you tell us a little about your musical background?
I come from a musical family. There was music everywhere growing up. Everything from old dance, Vømmøl, soul and rock was played loudly at home. I first started with theater when I was 8 years old and have done a lot of it since. Decided to focus fully on just music at the age of 20.
You are the vocalist, guitarist and songwriter in the band TORA, which is gaining increasing attention. What is it about the music that resonates so well with the audience?
It's hard to say, but what I think is that our music appeals to people of all ages. Everyone finds something in our catalog that speaks to them. Then there's probably also that mix of several genres. It's almost impossible to put us in a box as we include elements from rock, pop, soul, funk, r&b, country, etc. etc. But at the same time we are very committed to preserving our sound. Something I think we have definitely achieved so far. We are not looking to make something that has been made a thousand times before. If we think it's cool, then it's cool. I also think our live performances are something that stands out strongly from other bands in Norway today.
From one guitar enthusiast to another, do you think there's something about guitar music like blues and rock that makes it never go out of date?
Good question. I feel that in many ways it has "outdated". At least in Norway, as it is streamed much less than today's pop music. But again, in the blues it's really just about feelings. You play what you feel and you sing what you feel. If it's not real, you can just go to bed. The goal is not to fit in but to perform and write what feels right to you. So I think this credibility and the fact that you play out your feelings makes the music speak to people, and maybe therefore it will never die out.
On May 15th, TORA released the single Lately, a heartbreaking ballad. What can you tell us about the song?
Lately was easy to write but hard to release. I'm very honest in that song and I don't put anything in between. Sure there's heartbreak involved, but that's not the main message. Enough songs have been written about that. It's about realizing that you've lost yourself and that you've been a big idiot. And when you act like that, you hurt a lot of people along the way. For me, it's also about wanting to break down completely so that you can start over and then build yourself up again. Become the person you want to be. Maybe my favorite song by myself.
This is the third single you've released this year, after Desire and Money. How has the response been?
Very good! There are three completely different songs and I love that. You never know what we're going to release so the listeners are always a little surprised. Precisely because there are three different songs, the response has been very different to all three. But only love and support. But I'm incredibly proud of those songs and the response has been absolutely fantastic.
And the 1000-kroner question: When will the album come out?
Boom!! The album is coming out at the end of August/beginning of September. I'm itching to release it, and personally I won't accept any more delays. Now is the time!
We can't avoid a quick trip to the corona crisis: How have the strict infection control measures affected you and the band?
No, it was completely stopped. The album release was postponed, the England tour was postponed and almost all of our jobs have been canceled/postponed. But we have the world's best booking/management called Backstage Management so now in June we will carry out five jobs with the whole band and a heavy pre-production before that. I have done some streaming concerts alone which is great, but it can't be compared. Now we are ready for rock shows.
In addition to being a songwriter, musician and frontman, you are an Instagram sensation. In recent years, you have amassed a following of well over 100,000. How did this happen?
I'm really not sure how it happened, to be honest. It's been gradually building up over the last two years. I've seen Instagram as part of my job, which may have been a mistake. I'm extremely careful about what I post and I work hard on every single post. But the reason I have over 100.000 followers is because my videos are shared by other big Instagram profiles, which in turn generate followers. But if you want to keep them, you have to work hard. On the contrary, if I get a little lazy on Instagram, I lose followers, so I just keep going. It's also crazy fun.
You seem to be part of a huge guitar universe online. You were also recently interviewed by guitar vlogger Mary Spender, on her YouTube channel and podcast. What is it about the guitar that inspires such a subculture?
I'm definitely not a guitar nerd, but there are many who are. It's a crazy big community and these people love guitar and everything that goes with it. It's absolutely crazy. And they love discovering new artists and new guitarists. They just want to learn and learn and learn. They want to know everything from what kind of picks I use, what kind of pedals, amplifiers to how I travel with all my gear. They are simply passionate about it. "Everyone" wants to be good at guitar because it falls under the category of "cool" and I think a lot has to do with that. Many people probably think that "if I can learn to play like her/him, then I'm the coolest person in the world." But then it's also incredibly fun to play guitar. It's a difficult instrument that requires years of practice. You never master it, but you notice development and you get a feeling of mastery. For me, it has become a kind of meditation and an escape from the world.
Your Instagram profile is more than just a promotional channel for TORA. How do you feel about the platform and your followers?
Now it's gotten to the point where I'm simply just myself. Everything from guitar playing, humor, dancing, discussions and opinions. I used to see Instagram as a motivation to develop as a guitarist, but now it's become much bigger than that. I reply to almost everyone who sends me a message, and there can be up to 500 messages per day. This means that I know what my followers want and they feel like they know me. I have no need to be mysterious. I want to be in touch with those who follow me and those who listen to my music. It's also absolutely fantastic to chat with people from all over the world. I learn so much and I've made so many new friends.
Has social media in any way impacted who you are as a songwriter and musician?
Absolutely. Not as a songwriter but as a guitarist. I practiced almost nothing before I started posting guitar videos on Instagram. After I moved to Oslo (2017) I lived in the practice rooms at Westerdals. I was there from 10:00 to midnight on the days I wasn't out playing. I practiced, wrote songs, made videos, etc. Instagram became a motivation to continue and when I noticed that my guitar playing was something people from all over the world liked it was an absurd feeling. It still is. I have found my own sound and my own playing style and I am proud of it. That is largely thanks to Instagram and the followers I have.
Where and how do you write music?
I write music when I feel like it, when I have something to say. Forcing a song doesn't work for me. I decide when we go to the studio and I don't have anyone pushing me when it comes to releases. That means I can write music when it feels right to me. I usually write at home on the couch late at night or when I'm traveling.
Do you have any equipment or tools that are indispensable in the writing process?
Guitar and iPhone. It has to be played and it has to be recorded. When I feel like I have a good idea, I use Mac and Logic to make demos that I send to my producer in Trondheim.
What is your career highlight so far?
Oh, it's hard! Being a guest artist on Trygve Skaug's Norwegian tour was indescribably great and educational. It was also pretty cool to play in the Royal Albert Hall. But I think what has been the biggest and most important to me is all the jobs with my band. The fact that we are now being booked for festivals and stages that I dreamed of as a child is absolutely crazy. Also, it's always great to release music.
Can you share your greatest music experience – as a listener?
Discovering Michael Jackson at 11 years old is and will be the biggest thing, I think. I'm such a big fan that it's almost stupid. Not only of the music but also his live performances. His energy, dancing and charisma. No one above anyone else.
Finally – Can you give us a tip for a Norwegian artist you listen to a lot these days?
It's impossible to name just one. I always listen to Bernhoft and The Band Called Oh. Heigh Chief is absolutely boss. Also I want to mention Jonas Ledang. Fantastic songwriter and guitarist. He's a must check out!