Intr0beatz, aka Reykjavík native Arsaell Thor Ingvason, has been shaping grooves since the late ‘90s. First recognized as a turntablist and beat producer for Icelandic hip hop groups, he later transitioned into house music, crafting a distinctive sound rooted in deep textures, vintage samplers, and crate-digging culture.
Photo credit: Intr0beatz – Official
His debut album ‘Half Time’ landed on Möller Records in 2011, blending chillout, funk, hip hop, and house influences. Since then, he has released EPs and 12”s on respected labels including Dark Energy, Plastik People, SlothBoogie, Lagaffe Tales, Stay True Sounds, and Aterral, as well as through his own imprint, Cosmic Angles.
Now a key figure in Iceland’s electronic scene, Intr0beatz has toured extensively across Canada, Europe, South Africa, and Japan. After a year in Berlin and time away for paternity leave, he has returned to Iceland with new projects lined up, including fresh releases on Aterral and Cosmic Angles.
In this conversation, Intr0beatz reflects on his time in Berlin, the lessons learned, and what lies ahead.
EG: Hi Intr0beatz, thank you for joining us. You’ve just spent the last year in Berlin. When and why did you decide to move there?
Intr0beatz: Thanks for the invite. The decision to move was made here at home in Iceland, and it all came about quite unexpectedly. My wife was offered an incredible opportunity to do an internship with an Icelandic artist based in Berlin. We’d always had this shared dream of living in Berlin—but when this opportunity came up early last year, it felt like the stars had finally aligned.
Interestingly, music wasn’t even part of the initial decision. The move was really about supporting her career and embracing a new adventure together with our daughter. But of course, as a musician, I immediately saw the creative potential of being in Berlin. I knew I’d have the chance to reconnect with Carlo and Black Loops, and to spend time working in their studio.
EG: What challenges did you face relocating to a new country?
Intr0beatz: We thought the move was going to be smooth and straightforward—but we were very wrong. Just two days before our departure, all of us got sick. During the flight, my daughter threw up all over me, two hours before landing. So, you can imagine the joy of sitting through the rest of that flight completely soaked and exhausted.
And then came the German bureaucracy, which really lives up to its reputation. Registering our address and sorting out the documents for our daughter’s kindergarten was a full-blown administrative nightmare. As if that wasn’t enough, not long after settling in, I ended up in the hospital with kidney stones, and no one spoke English. That experience gave me a raw, firsthand taste of what it’s like to be an immigrant—feeling lost, vulnerable, and like you have very few rights.
Despite all of it, it worked out in the end. Honestly, I feel like the whole experience made us stronger.
EG: What did your year in Berlin mean to you musically and personally?
Intr0beatz: We definitely fell in love with the city. Berlin’s history, food cultures, and diversity inspired us and gave us a real push to make the most of our time.
Moving with a three-year-old added an entirely different dimension. Watching our daughter go from not speaking a word of German to being nearly fluent was amazing. That made the experience even more meaningful for us as a family.
EG: Berlin is regarded as one of the world’s best cities for electronic music. What do you think makes it so special?
Intr0beatz: Without the incredible mix of people from all walks of life and all corners of the world, Berlin simply wouldn’t be what it is. The city’s soul is shaped by that diversity. And of course, the history—especially after the fall of the Wall—adds a profound depth.
Musically, it’s a playground. There are so many styles thriving there, and it feels like there’s space for everyone. One of my favorite things was just biking through the city, headphones on, watching how people move and live. It reminded me that even the artists who inspire me most are just regular people, working hard and raising families.
“It’s never too late to experience something new. Stepping out of your comfort zone and living in the present can change everything”
EG: You also spent a lot of time in the studio. What was your setup like? Any special projects or collaborations?
Intr0beatz: I only brought a small setup from home—my DJ gear, MPC 2000XL, some bits and pieces, and a pair of terrible speakers. At home, I worked on loops and sketches, but I was lucky to spend time at Carlo and Black Loops’ studio each month. That’s where those ideas came to life.
I’m proud of all the music I made during that year—it became a sonic journal. Beyond the gear, the community in that studio made the biggest impact. Almost every connection I made in Berlin came through that space. I also worked on a few collaborations I’m really excited about. Whether they come out or not is secondary—the experience itself was incredible.
EG: Best gig you played? Best party you attended? Favorite spots in the city?
Intr0beatz: Playing at Berghain / Panorama Bar with the SlothBoogie crew was unforgettable. Another highlight was Sisyphos, which might be my favorite club in the city. I got to play there one last time the week before we moved back—a perfect send-off.
As a customer, the Small Great Things party at Oxi became a monthly ritual. It really felt like those events were the backbone of the current wave of classic house, deep house, and disco in Berlin.
For record digging, Audio In was my go-to, along with HHV, Elevate, and Melting Point. Each had its own vibe, but Melting Point stood out for its chaos and conversation—the kind of place where you sit and chat with the owner while he plays records for you.
And food? Berlin spoiled us. Vietnamese at Dong Xuan Center, hand-pulled noodles at Lanzhou Beef Noodles, and Lebanese at Ali Baba. And of course, döner kebab—Hasir near Kottbusser Tor was next level.
EG: Tell us about your latest release and mix series.
Intr0beatz: While in Berlin, I started releasing again through Cosmic Angles, my own label. That’s when I launched my mix series, Current Groove, followed by Parallel Groove with guest artists. Alternating between the two gave me space to keep creating.
My recent EP, ‘Path 2 Presence’, came out on Cosmic Angles. The tracks represent where I’ve been, where I am now, and where I might be going.
EG: What will you miss most—and least—about Berlin?
Intr0beatz: We’ll miss almost everything—except the bureaucracy. The food, the cultural diversity, the music, the energy of the city. But more than anything, the people and friendships we made.
EG: What is the main lesson you’ve taken from your year in Berlin?
Intr0beatz: It’s never too late to experience something new. Stepping out of your comfort zone and living in the present can change everything. That year reminded me that almost anything is possible.
“Without the incredible mix of people from all walks of life and all corners of the world, Berlin simply wouldn’t be what it is. The city’s soul is shaped by that diversity”
EG: Now that you’ve moved back to Iceland, what’s next?
Intr0beatz: We’re continuing what we started. I’m setting up my studio again, my wife is looking for a painting space, and our daughter is back in kindergarten. I’ll keep developing the mix series, and I’ve got bookings in Saudi Arabia in October, tied to my debut release on Gabu Records. It feels like a new chapter is opening.
EG: Finally, share one track that will always remind you of Berlin.
Intr0beatz: A track called ‘Ain’t Got No Money’, which I found on a white label at Elevate. It was simple yet powerful, and at the time, the title felt all too accurate. I used it to open Current Groove 005, and now every time I hear it, I’m transported back to cycling through Berlin with headphones on.
Intr0beatz’s ‘Path 2 Presence’ is out now on Cosmic Angles. Stream and download here.
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