A CONVERSATION WITH...TORINE
Ahead of her 2023 American tour and the release of her latest single - ‘7 minutes in heaven’ - Norwegian pop-punk star Torine opens up about religion, the writing process, and her first trip to the United States.
Photo Credit: Willa Wathne
“I actually searched Christina Aguilera's video for ’Dirty’ and used her hair in that as a reference,” Torine beams as her ecstatic and comforting presence elates on her latest hairstyle - a homage to Xtina herself. Opening up about her musical journey and the upcoming American tour, Torine explores the many layers of her artistry and personality.
The Norwegian pop-punk princess is stepping out of previous life struggles and re-emerging as a woman with a new sense of self. Being liberated musically and lyrically - Torine is a rebellious yet vulnerable artist who writes for the outcasts and outsiders.
Torine, discussing her musical background as a child, explains, “I grew up in church, and I started to play in their band. But now, I would say I make pop-rock music, but it is spiced with punk elements to be specific. But it’s not cool to say you’re punk, so that’s not very punk of me,” the singer laughs as the conversation unfolds crafting Torine as both an artist - and human.
As Torine’s music tends to merge genres - pop-punk but also rock - the writing and recording process for her seems to be a fun moment to explore all facets of her musical ability and talent. “I have two different producers that I normally work with, but I am always open to working with different and new people. But the people I work with now are the ones I connect to the most,” the singer highlights.
“My producers actually like to fight with me because they’re like ‘Come on Torine, this sad song is getting too sad.’ I guess I tend only to write sad stuff even if it is a happy idea. Somehow, I always make it sad. Maybe it is ‘cause I am like super sad deep deep deep down inside.” Torine pokes fun at herself - but it is these sad-coded songs which set her apart from her peers. Torine can turn a sad idea into an empowering song that resonates with these people who don’t fit into the societal box of standards.
Growing up in such strict religious environments, Torine exclaims, “I was never allowed to listen to Avril Lavinge but she’s definitely my biggest inspiration. I love her attitude. Because I was never allowed to listen to her music, it made me love her even more.”
From Torine’s lyrics and her presentation on stage - Avril and Torine share a similarity in the pop-rock sphere. It is pleasing to hear such praising words from Torine towards Avril - a woman who has made such waves in the music industry, especially for women in the punk and rock genre. Whilst beaming over the ‘Skater-Boi’ singer, Torine swiftly adds, “Oh, but I also love Doja Cat! She is so dark and corny. I resonate with her dark vibe.”
“I broke out of the strict religious part of me when I was sixteen, but the problem was never God. It was the control enforced on me. I still have my faith and pray every day,” Torine addresses when reflecting on this transition between a strict religious environment and breaking into this pop-punk field where behaviours and attitudes are vastly different.
Torine’s latest single - ‘7 minutes in heaven’ - is a fun, angsty, pop-rock song paired with heavenly aesthetic visuals. When asked for the inspiration behind the single, Torine eagerly responds, “Last year, I started dating this girl, and I was not really sure about it because I was in a long relationship with a boy prior. Because of my religious upbringing, I was not allowed to do much, but I have always had a huge obsession with girls, but it always was categorised as an obsession.”
She adds: “It took me a really short time though to realise, ‘oh, maybe I actually really like being with this girl’, and you can feel exactly how I felt at the time within the song. I’m like, ‘Oh God! I really feel like this!’”
“I don’t really do it consciously,” Torine ponders when the discussion turns to why she wants to cover as many genres as she can in her music - relating to the bridge between pop-rock, radio pop, and more punk-influenced sounds. The Norwegian star continues, “No matter where I take my music, there will always be a pop-rock identity to it”.
Her 2022 EP, Unholy, has sonic similarities to that of pop-punk singer Maggie Lindemann; the same grunge and grit to the music and lyrics is a shared talent between her and Torine. They both bridge this pop-to-rock gap effortlessly. ‘Bitches Get Lonely’ is a stand-out on the EP as it is relatable but also angsty. When asked about the writing process for this specific song, Torine replies, “I was actually in a relationship when I wrote this song! I felt really lonely at the time. Yeah, it was really fun because I made the chorus sound like a sing-a-long. I do not really care about anything other than a big fucking chorus, it is my musical obsession. You can really tell who out there has been hurt and who has not when I sing it live.”
Torine is no stranger to being on tour - and with an upcoming November 2023 American tour looming- the excitement beams off the singer as she has never been to the United States before. “I really want to try some candy called Twizzlers, that is my main excitement. Obviously the shows as well, but trying that candy is the first thing I am doing.”
Being excited to try this candy is a priority, but don’t be fooled because Torine is ready to get her name out there in the States. “My mom basically thinks I have made it now I’m gonna be touring in America,” Torine adds at the end of the conversation regarding her upcoming American tour.
The future is bright for this Norwegian pop-punk princess, with the American tour in the midst and plans for releasing more music. If her aesthetic alone does not intrigue, her cleverly written rock-laced songs will nevertheless draw the attention of thousands, not to mention her outpouring of gratitude for everything she has achieved so far in her short but tremendous career in the lights.