Taking one step at a time, practicing patience and being always grateful to those who believed in him. This is how Nørbak perceives the path he has chosen – in 2026 the Portuguese DJ, producer and owner of 2 labels celebrates his 10th anniversary of making music, which is the best proof that his attitude was the correct one. I’m at a very happy point in my career, says the artist openly. And these simple, yet joyful words bring a lot of inspiration for the young generation of producers.
Before Nørbak’s gig at Muse Festival 2026, we had an opportunity to ask him some questions. Discover how he dealt with rejection, uncertainty and the amount of hard work that remained unnoticed, and how his release for Oscar Mulero’s Warm Up opened the door he wasn’t even dreaming of.
Agata Omelańska: Hey Artur, I’m very happy to meet you! When I found out that you’ll be playing at the 2026 edition of Muse Festival, I was very excited – your music represents everything I adore in the modern sound of techno, and I simply can’t wait to see you there. How do you feel about it? It doesn’t happen often to play in a Palace, does it?
Nørbak: First of all, thank you for having me and for the generous words about my music! I’m really excited to be playing at Muse Festival this year. I already know the sound, the production, and the overall experience are going to be top-notch, and the location looks absolutely stunning. It’s very rare that I get the chance to play in a venue like this, so I’ll definitely try to make the set feel worthy of such a special setting.
There is, of course, a reason why I asked this question – as the Balzaq Palace in Kawęczyn is such an amazing and not an ordinary venue for the event. What makes you feel good at festivals, both as an artist and an attendee? And when you play, what is your favourite moment of the gig?
I must say that the festival circuit is still relatively new to me. It’s only in recent years that I’ve started playing festivals more often, and I have to admit that clubs will always hold a special place in my heart – because the connection with the crowd feels much tighter and more intimate. That being said, festivals have given me an incredible opportunity to connect with people who follow my work, but only go out during festival season, and I’m immensely grateful for that.
Which artist of the Muse Festival’s line up is a must-hear for you and why?
I would say Quelza. He’s a good friend, but also a musical genius and someone who will become one of the main figures in our scene; thanks to his passionate, delicate but also clever approach to various forms of electronic music, both in the booth and also in the studio.
Okay, let’s bring the focus back on you, as 2026 is a really important year in your artistic career. You’re celebrating the 10th anniversary of releasing music and it definitely deserves the loudest & warmest applause. You said that you will celebrate this beautiful anniversary in a very special way, in autumn. What should we keep an eye on? And what would be the best gift for you for this occasion?
So, for now, I can say that there will be a small tour across some of my favourite cities and clubs to celebrate the occasion, along with an album that shares the same name as the tour. Some of my biggest inspirations will be joining me along the way, and I’ll also be performing my ambient live set as the opening act every night. More news will be announced soon!
How did you take your very first steps in the electronic music industry and, a decade later, where are you today?
Things started off the same way they did for many artists of my generation: in the studio, making music, sending demos to labels, playing the occasional local gig, and slowly building from there. Over time, that led to signing with bigger labels and, eventually, playing international shows more regularly. I never had a master plan, to be honest. Things just happened naturally, one step at a time.
Today, I can honestly say
I’m at a very happy point in my career.
I feel like I’m finally able to release the music I’ve always wanted to make, and I’m genuinely proud of everything I put out. My DJing has also improved a lot, which is something I always felt needed more work. On top of that, my labels bring me tremendous joy, and I’m really proud of what we’ve built over the years.
How did you find your style? And – a side question – how easy is it to keep it?
It took me a while to develop a sonic identity that truly felt like my own. For a long time, I felt that, for various reasons, I shouldn’t do things a certain way. For example, I’ve always loved bass music – it’s probably still what I listen to the most within electronic music – but for years I avoided blending those influences with techno. I was afraid it would come across as tasteless, or that I was mixing things that simply weren’t meant to go together. I was also worried about what some of my idols would think of me for doing it.
Eventually, I reached a point where I just thought, “Fuck it. I’m going to make the music I genuinely want to make, and I don’t care if some of the old-school guys don’t like it.” That’s when I finally started developing a sound that truly felt like my own.
Speaking of your style and creating the space for other artists: what are the origins of your labels? What’s your vision of electronic music and what’s ‘the secret key’ that opens the doors to Hayes and NRBK to demos?
The origins of Hayes are pretty much the same as the reason it still exists and remains motivated after all these years: it’s a group of friends who share a particular – but also very broad – taste in music. I know that it probably sounds contradictory, but it’s the best way I can describe it! The idea was always to create a collective platform where different ideas, sounds, and aesthetics could coexist.
With NRBK, the original plan was to release only my own music. But after hearing so much incredible music from talented friends, it felt wrong to keep it to myself, so I decided to open the label to them as well. Since then, I’ve tried to keep NRBK focused on a more leftfield and delicate side of techno.
I wouldn’t say there’s any secret to getting signed. If the music is good, fits the identity of the label, and you’re a good person to work with, we’ll happily consider it.
Thinking about the local scene that you’re representing: how would you describe the one in Portugal? What defines it, how is it working, changing, developing – and how do you feel on the international level in the techno industry?
I think the Portuguese scene is in a really strong place at the moment. We have a lot of incredibly talented new artists, as well as many established names who continue to push things forward.
We also have some fantastic, more intimate festivals and – in my opinion – one of the best clubs in the world: Gare.
I’m really happy with how things have evolved, especially over the last four or five years. Before that, it often felt like the club and festival scene was dominated by the same small group of people. Now it feels much healthier, with more diversity, more opportunities, and a new generation of artists finding their place.
Of course, there’s still room to grow. I think countries like Spain, Poland, and the Netherlands have better infrastructure for techno, but we’re definitely moving in the right direction, and I’m excited to see where the Portuguese scene goes next.
Your music was released in many prestigious techno labels, such as: Warm Up Recordings, Pole Group, Axis, Dynamic Reflection, Mord, Token, Soma, Modularz, MindTrip and many more. Which one do you consider the most important one – and please tell us one unforgettable story connected with one of these releases.
Out of all of them, I’d have to say that Warm Up had the biggest impact on my career.
Oscar Mulero gave me an opportunity at a very early stage – that meant a great deal to me and opened many doors. I’ll always be grateful for the trust he placed in my music.
As for an unforgettable story, I’d say the whole process leading up to that first release. I remember checking my email every five minutes, waiting to see if Oscar had replied to the latest batch of demos I’d sent him. It was a mixture of excitement and anxiety, and when his reply finally came through, it felt like a huge milestone. Looking back now, it’s funny to think how obsessed I was with refreshing my inbox!
What was the most important lesson you’ve learned so far? And what was the most difficult challenge you had to face during these 10 years?
I know it’s a cliché – and maybe not the most profound answer – but I’d say patience. I really wish I’d been more patient during those first few years, because I probably suffered far more than I needed to whenever I didn’t get the response I was hoping for from a label. Looking back now, I realised I sometimes naively felt I deserved a positive reply – just because I’d worked hard on the music.
I’d say that was also the biggest challenge: learning to deal with rejection and uncertainty.
You can put months into a record and still have no idea how people will react to it. It took me a while to understand that everyone gets rejected, and that it’s simply part of the process.
It’s pretty hilarious to think back on some of those situations now… but I’ll save those stories for another time!
What does the 2026 Nørbak know that the one from 2016 would love to hear? Especially in the earliest stage of his career?
I’d say this to him:
You’ve accomplished things that you would never imagine, my friend.
Please finish the sentence: Music makes me feel…
…like I have purpose!
Thank you so much for the interview and time dedicated, Artur! See you at Muse Festival very soon!