About

Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. In my early years, I was influenced by my father, but perhaps even more so by three older brothers, whose musical preferences spilled from their not-so-soundproof rooms. Looking back now, it seems inevitable that music would become a significant part of my life as well. However, it took time for this connection to truly blossom into a lifelong passion.

In my early twenties, I was captivated by the intensity of music, and what began as a fascination gradually grew into a professional ambition. With my methodical, engineering-oriented mindset, classical music — particularly opera — became a natural focus for nearly two decades. The challenge of singing with high subglottal air pressure in a purely acoustic environment, combined with the accumulated (and often mysterious) knowledge of centuries past, was impossible to resist. For about a decade, this passion became not only a central part of my life but also partly a livelihood in the Göteborg Opera Chorus.

But then the pandemic came in 2020. Life changed.

After more than two decades of singing lessons and daily practice, I decided it was time to take a step back — enough was enough. Music, I resolved, should be a pure hobby, free from ambition and driven solely by joy. I redirected the funds I once spent on lessons toward creating and recording music. While my singing comes at no cost, musical arrangements and mixing do — but that’s perfectly fine. I also believe in the famous quote, “No man is an island.” What I’ve learned — and continue to learn — is how to sing. But bringing music to life requires others to contribute their expertise. Collaboration, I’ve found, is my key to making these creations come alive.

Somewhere along the way, I also decided to release music under my own name. As a result, the artist name Tobi. or Not is technically obsolete. But I’ve chosen to keep it for this website — as a reflection of my past and the things I create. A glimpse into who I am. And perhaps, who I am not. For a deeper explanation of the latter, feel free to dive into my blogs or sign up to my newsletter.