The wheels are always in motion for Sydney's Jensen Interceptor. A Multi-media artist, model, model of good behaviour, DJ, producer, and proud founder of a new techno label, life is fast paced in Jensen's lane. That doesn't mean he can't find time to slow down and stretch out. THUMP has first listen of this new 3 hour mix, the latest installment in the Motorik label's "Under the Influence" series. Recording the mix is reportedly the longest amount of time Jensen has spent standing in one spot for quite some time. The mix arrives in advance of a new EP, and Jensen's first official national tour.THUMP: For those who know you through your productions, and DJ sets, what surprises are in store from this 3-hour mix?
Jensen Interceptor: In the interest of retaining the element of "surprise" I won't reveal them here, but my audience can definitely expect a couple of curve balls.Listening back to it now, what does the mix tell you about your current preoccupations or interests, artistically, or otherwise?
Listening back to the mixtape it's very obvious to me that my current preoccupations and interests include fried chicken, burgers, heated pools as well as rap, electro, 80s and experimental. I probably also took a bunch of showers.How did you solve the perennial problem of which song to start with, and what kind of planning processes go into developing and recording a set of this length?
I was give free reign with this mixtape, which always makes it much more fun. I selected "Gemini" by Boards of Canada to start, as it was an obvious choice to me. There was no particular planning or process to this mix tape, I just kept adding tracks till I thought it was time to wrap it up.Motorik has firmly established itself as a techno authority in Sydney. What are your perceptions of how techno music has been adopted and adapted by the city and its audiences?
Techno music seems to have been embraced by a burgeoning group of youth that are culturally aware. I really feel that before Motorik came along, Sydney was going through a bit of a rough patch with its local party scene. The weekends were saturated with bad parties promoting even worse music. The people were crying out for something fresh, so the success Motorik has had really comes as no surprise. It's also really great to see other parties (outside of techno) doing good things i.e. Halfway Crooks, Slowblow, Pelvis amongst others.What have been some of the shifts you've witnessed over the course of the label's history, in terms of audiences around the music, and perhaps the sound of the label itself?
I have seen a positive shift, and the number of new kids coming down continues to grow with each party. The story Motorik has told with its releases from the day of inception has been quite cohesive, I do feel the sound of the label is really taking shape.You are involved in another label project that launched saturday night, Intl.C - what can you tell us about this new imprint and its intentions?
Just for the record (no pun intended) as far as ownership goes, Motorik is not mine. MTK is run by Frank Xavier, Vi Hermens and Pat & Andrew Santamaria. I have contributed to the label as an artist and will continue to do so as long as they'll let me haha. I'm really excited about INTL.C, we had an incredible launch with just over 300 people turning out after only 5 days of promotion prior to the event. Jon Convex, Mikron and The Hacker played amazing sets. It was a great way to kick things off. Its been a fantasy of mine to have my own record label. The timing was just perfect as I had been working closely with Jon Convex and Mikron. The minute Vi from MTK approached me about it, I knew it was it was the right time for it.As a producer what are some of the factors that make for a strong techno track? As a DJ what makes a compelling set?
At the risk of coming off a little corny, I do think you need to take some risks as a DJ to pull of a compelling set. Michel AKA The Hacker played an epic set at the launch of INTL.C. Afterwards he told me that he had dropped a bunch of tracks that he has never felt comfortable playing before, but on Saturday night he didn't care and just went for it, and it worked. I try to do the same when I DJ, it's important to continually challenge yourself and not get caught up in playing the same stuff all the time. Creativity and originality are key factors in producing a strong track in any genre. There is nothing wrong with being inspired by another artist but I think it's important for any upcoming producer to do the homework and find out what has inspired the artist that has inspired them. I also read an interview with Boys Noize a while ago, and he made a point that I think is key: "You can have all the gear (synths) in the world, but if your idea is shit, then your idea is shit".Keep up with all of Jensen Interceptor's projects here.
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Jensen Interceptor: In the interest of retaining the element of "surprise" I won't reveal them here, but my audience can definitely expect a couple of curve balls.Listening back to it now, what does the mix tell you about your current preoccupations or interests, artistically, or otherwise?
Listening back to the mixtape it's very obvious to me that my current preoccupations and interests include fried chicken, burgers, heated pools as well as rap, electro, 80s and experimental. I probably also took a bunch of showers.How did you solve the perennial problem of which song to start with, and what kind of planning processes go into developing and recording a set of this length?
I was give free reign with this mixtape, which always makes it much more fun. I selected "Gemini" by Boards of Canada to start, as it was an obvious choice to me. There was no particular planning or process to this mix tape, I just kept adding tracks till I thought it was time to wrap it up.Motorik has firmly established itself as a techno authority in Sydney. What are your perceptions of how techno music has been adopted and adapted by the city and its audiences?
Techno music seems to have been embraced by a burgeoning group of youth that are culturally aware. I really feel that before Motorik came along, Sydney was going through a bit of a rough patch with its local party scene. The weekends were saturated with bad parties promoting even worse music. The people were crying out for something fresh, so the success Motorik has had really comes as no surprise. It's also really great to see other parties (outside of techno) doing good things i.e. Halfway Crooks, Slowblow, Pelvis amongst others.What have been some of the shifts you've witnessed over the course of the label's history, in terms of audiences around the music, and perhaps the sound of the label itself?
I have seen a positive shift, and the number of new kids coming down continues to grow with each party. The story Motorik has told with its releases from the day of inception has been quite cohesive, I do feel the sound of the label is really taking shape.You are involved in another label project that launched saturday night, Intl.C - what can you tell us about this new imprint and its intentions?
Just for the record (no pun intended) as far as ownership goes, Motorik is not mine. MTK is run by Frank Xavier, Vi Hermens and Pat & Andrew Santamaria. I have contributed to the label as an artist and will continue to do so as long as they'll let me haha. I'm really excited about INTL.C, we had an incredible launch with just over 300 people turning out after only 5 days of promotion prior to the event. Jon Convex, Mikron and The Hacker played amazing sets. It was a great way to kick things off. Its been a fantasy of mine to have my own record label. The timing was just perfect as I had been working closely with Jon Convex and Mikron. The minute Vi from MTK approached me about it, I knew it was it was the right time for it.As a producer what are some of the factors that make for a strong techno track? As a DJ what makes a compelling set?
At the risk of coming off a little corny, I do think you need to take some risks as a DJ to pull of a compelling set. Michel AKA The Hacker played an epic set at the launch of INTL.C. Afterwards he told me that he had dropped a bunch of tracks that he has never felt comfortable playing before, but on Saturday night he didn't care and just went for it, and it worked. I try to do the same when I DJ, it's important to continually challenge yourself and not get caught up in playing the same stuff all the time. Creativity and originality are key factors in producing a strong track in any genre. There is nothing wrong with being inspired by another artist but I think it's important for any upcoming producer to do the homework and find out what has inspired the artist that has inspired them. I also read an interview with Boys Noize a while ago, and he made a point that I think is key: "You can have all the gear (synths) in the world, but if your idea is shit, then your idea is shit".Keep up with all of Jensen Interceptor's projects here.