tâmitan: The Story Behind “Hiawatha” – Thomas Borge Lie
Can you introduce yourself to our audience?
Former professional skier and Olympian.
I make music that’s meant to be felt more than explained. My sound moves somewhere between the raw and the vulnerable, shaped by mood, honesty, and what actually hits.
A lot of my inspiration comes from the music around me, from late nights on packed dance floors to open festival spaces. Experiences, DJs I connect with, and the energy in a room when everything clicks all shape how I think about sound and direction.
One of the moments that really stayed with me was at Garbicz Festival. Watching a DJ shape the energy of an entire crowd, and seeing how fully people gave themselves to it, made a strong impression on me. That was when I felt the urge to step behind the decks myself and start DJing. Over time, that grew into a need to understand music on a deeper level, and to bring the energy from the dance floor into something of my own. That’s what led me into production.
For me, music is a way of making sense of chaos while still holding on to something imperfect. At the same time, it’s about creating joy, something that can pull you away from everything else and let you be fully present in the moment.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music, specifically in electronic genres?
A big part of it came from being immersed in the scene itself. Spending time on dance floors and at festivals made me realize how powerful electronic music can be, not just as sound but as a shared experience.
The connection between the music and the crowd, and how energy can shift in real time, is something that really drew me in.
I started out wanting to DJ, to understand how to control that flow and energy. Over time, that curiosity grew into a deeper interest in how the music is built. Production became a way for me to translate those experiences into something of my own, and to bring the feeling from the dance floor into the tracks I create.
What keeps me drawn to electronic music is that balance between physical energy and emotional depth. It has this ability to pull you out of your head and into the moment, which is something I always try to capture in what I do.
How would you describe your style and sound?
(What sets you apart as an artist?)
I’d describe my style as playful and not tied to any specific genre. I like to surprise people and dig deep into music to find sounds and ideas that haven’t been overused or heard everywhere before.
As a DJ, I give a lot of myself on stage. I tend to bring high energy and fully commit to the moment, mainly because I genuinely love music and what it does to people. For me, it’s about creating a shared experience where both I and the crowd are fully present.
At the core, I’m trying to keep things open and curious, always exploring, always looking for something that feels new or unexpected.
ABOUT YOUR RELEASE
Tell us about your latest release.
“Hiawatha” really came out of nowhere. It was just a strong creative feeling that built up and needed to come out. I didn’t overthink it. I just followed the energy in the moment.
I wanted to create something that felt happy, emotional, and full of energy at the same time. Something light, but still with feeling. In the end, it became a straightforward happy track, made to lift the mood and give people a sense of release when they hear it.
At its core, it’s a reflection of that spontaneous creative space where things just flow naturally.
What message or feeling do you want listeners to take away from this release?
Happiness
Can you walk us through the creative process behind this project?
The process for this track was really built around the vocals, which ended up setting the direction for the whole song.
From the moment I found them, they had this uplifting and happy energy that shaped everything else I added.
Instead of starting with a full idea, I let the vocals lead the way and built the production around that feeling. It was quite an intuitive process, focusing on keeping that light, positive mood intact rather than overcomplicating things.
A lot of it was about serving the emotion in the vocals and making sure the energy stayed honest and direct throughout the track.
How does this release differ from your previous work?
This is actually my first release, so it comes with a mix of excitement and nerves.
It feels really good to finally put something out there, but also a bit vulnerable at the same time.
In a way, it feels like me being completely open, almost “naked”. Showing a feeling I had in that moment without hiding behind anything. It’s very honest, and I think that’s what makes it special to me.
Releasing it has been both scary and really rewarding, because it’s the first time I’m sharing a piece of myself in this way.
INDUSTRY AND PERSONAL INSIGHTS
What do you think is the biggest challenge for artists in the electronic music industry today?
To be honest, I think one of the biggest challenges is staying true to yourself in an industry that constantly pushes you in different directions.
There’s always pressure to adapt, follow trends, or make decisions based on what might “work” commercially.
For me, it comes down to not losing your own identity in that process. Sticking to your sound, your energy, and what originally made you want to create in the first place is really important. It’s easy to get distracted, but I think the strongest artists are the ones who stay consistent with who they are, even when it’s not the easiest path.
At the end of the day, I’d rather build something real and honest than become something I’m not just to fit in.
What role do events, collaborations, or labels play in shaping your career?
Events, collaborations, and labels have all played an important role in shaping my path, but it really starts with my own pop-up club concept “Kos”. That space has been crucial for me creatively. It’s a place where I can play freely in front of a loyal and open-minded crowd who are patient and curious about what me, Fredde, Fatcat, and Miquel present through music.
It’s where I develop the most as an artist and honestly where I have the most fun.
The Oslo club scene has also been very important for me, especially places like Skaugum, The Villa, and Jaeger. Being part of that environment has shaped my understanding of club music and given me a lot of inspiration.
On the collaboration side, my work with Cafe De Anatolia has been really positive. It’s been smooth from the start, and they were some of the first to truly believe in my sound and vision without any pushback. That kind of trust has given me a lot of freedom and motivation to keep developing my direction.
Overall, these spaces and collaborations give me room to grow, experiment, and stay true to my sound.
Do you have any advice for aspiring artists looking to break into the scene?
The most important advice I can give is to be yourself and do it for the love of music. That has to be the foundation, otherwise it’s easy to get lost in expectations, trends, or what you think you should be doing.
If you stay close to why you started in the first place, it keeps everything more honest and sustainable. The scene can be competitive, but the artists who really last are usually the ones who are true to their own sound and energy.
Everything else—opportunities, growth, and connections—tends to follow when the intention is right.
LOOKING AHEAD
What can your fans expect next?
(Are there upcoming releases, performances, or projects you’d like to share?)
Fans can expect a lot of exciting things coming up. I’m releasing a new track with Cafe De Anatolia called “Talk To Me Now” very soon. It’s a sensitive but still energetic track, with a strong feel-good vibe while also carrying an emotional depth.
There are also a lot of cool events coming up with my concept Kos, which continues to be a very important space for me creatively.
In addition, we in Kos are working on a collaboration with Rabalder, a concept led by Julie Reistad, Emilie Lian, and Tania Næss, some seriously inspiring women with a strong musical identity. Together we’re hosting a free daytime rooftop party during Musikkens Dag in Oslo on June 6th.
On top of that, I’m also working on a bigger project for October, which includes a major international booking. So there is a lot of movement happening right now, and I’m excited for what is ahead.