//TENSE//

//Tense// hot electric death sex dance thrash!!!!!

Digital Liver:

Houston?

//Tense//:

Guitar-centric, brown, indie, bad vibes, no style

Digital Liver:

What about any positive aspects of Houston or its legacy of "experimental" music? How does the Houston environment inspire you?

//Tense/:

Houston inspires me to get the fuck outta here. Indian Jewelry, Dead Roses and apinkcloud inspired me to realize that if I wanted it I could do it. Witnessing people with a genuine love for what they do and an almost religious fervor beating away at their instruments took me to a whole other level. Houston's 'legacy' seems lost on most Houstonians. There are a lot of boring guitar groups. We are anti that.

Digital Liver:

If you do move from Houston where would you like to go?

//Tense//:

No clue. I was born in Houston in 1980. I moved to Denver in 82, then back to Houston in 84. In 87 I moved to Gabon West Africa, then to Tunisia, then to Malta, then McAllen Tx, then San Antonio aannndd somehow back to Houston in 2001. I've seen the world, but not enough. I'm a nomad, my Dad's in the oil business so I've always moved around. It's been 7 years in H-town and I crave some new scenery. Maybe LA, preferably Germany.



Digital Liver:

Give us insight into your personal musical history and what are some of your inspirations?

//Tense//:

I have been buying records since 1984. I was born in 1980, so do the math. I still remember not being able to read which side was the instrumental or vocal version on 45s. MTV was my favorite station as a child, all things pop was my life until about 1993 or so. I had an older cousin who was very into punk rock and skate culture. He gave me a few cassettes (GBH, Agnostic Front, Exploited) and a few old copies of Maximum Rock and Roll. This led me to explore the early 90s zine culture and punk rock in general. I also had a girlfriend in the early 90s who made me cassettes with the Smiths/Depeche Mode/Stone Roses and other 'fey' British pop and synth pop. This led me to explore that style of music. Music has always been a huge part of my life and always will, I am constantly on the hunt for records and have a huge collection. There is no one inspiration.

Digital Liver:

Aspirations?

//Tense//:

Just to have fun. I realized long ago that making it as a 'rock star' in the conventional sense of the word is not a realistic life goal. It bums me out to see kids treating music as a 'career' as opposed to a passion. To me as long as there are a few people who will dance to what I do and have an interest in my music I am happy. It's just about letting go and making sense of what I hear in my head.

Digital Liver:

What was the process like for making your killer new recording?

//Tense//:

Oh God, so damn tedious. I record each track individually on my laptop and go from there. Start with the kick, then snare, then cymbal/claps, then synth....etc etc. I then add the appropriate fx and do some minimal editing. I try to keep it as close to the original sound I made live as I can. It's normally just me in my studio, but occasionally I will ask Ms. Kunst for a second opinion about a vocal line or a synth lead. Usually she is right. This ep has been over a year in the making.




Digital Liver:

Live shows?

//Tense//:

Live shows are a whole other beast entirely. I have my good friend Rich System (apinkcloud/Entertainment System) run the drums through his boards and do many complicated things that he is so good at. I will also have him on live guitar come Feb 8th, so we'll see how that goes. I also have MKF Kunst on the Synsonics drum pads and back up vox. I enjoy the dynamic of a duo or trio live as opposed to a solo show. It allows me more freedom to sing and dance and not have to worry about the technical aspects.



Digital Liver:

What kind of relationship do you have with your gear?

//Tense//:

If I lost my gear, or if it was stolen or wrecked I would cry. Without a doubt. When I want to release I know that it is there for me. I'd rather lose a finger than lose my drum machine.



Digital Liver:

Aesthetic philosophy?

//Tense//:

Grainy black and white photos. Seedy films with no plot. Sweaty men. And leather. I love Marc Almond circa 81/82.

Digital Liver:

What is it about sweaty men that appeals to you?

//Tense//:

Haha, that's a deep question. No, but seriously...

Look at all the early English groups (Soft Cell, Depeche Mode, Fad Gadget) and then trace that to Nitzer Ebb. Lots of black leather and sweat. I think it's just the appeal of energy and youth.

Digital Liver:

What does the //tense// sound personally reflect?

//Tense//:

Dissatisfaction with the music I hear people calling 'electro' or 'nu-rave'. I want the grit. I also think about lust a lot.

Digital Liver:

Lust?

//Tense//:

The bass of a kick drum sounds like the thrust of my hips. And the snare is the sound of release. Ungh. Ah. Ungh. Ah. Ah.

Digital Liver:

What new aspects of sound, culture, aesthetic and concept do you feel you bring to electronic music-or want to bring to it?

//Tense//:

Hopefully all I can bring to this already amazing genre is a little bit of myself. That's all I think anyone can hope for. Just the chance to connect with new people and express myself in some way that doesn't fit in with what many would consider the 'norm' for a 28 year old. Girls just want to have fun!

Digital Liver:

What about your involvement with apinkcloud?

//Tense//:

I've been friends with Domokos for a few years. He'd been bugging me to come join him live for a while. Finally I relented and came to realize that it's a lot of fun to improvise and a fukkin excellent release. Apinkcloud is freedom.



Digital Liver:

How did you meet and come to work with MKF Kunst?

//Tense//:

I had been a fan of hers for a few years (solo and with Rua Minx). We finally met at a show of hers at the White Swan in September of 2006. She asked me for money for beer and the rest is local legend. We've been together ever since. She is my biggest inspiration and without a doubt my muse.



Digital Liver:

The future of //Tense//?

Hopefully out of town shows, beefing up the recordings, a new project with Rich System and traveling. I don't ever really see //TENSE// ending per se; it will live on as long as I have music in my head.

Digital Liver:

Pornography?

//Tense//:

Who doesn't like porn? It's been a part of my life as far back as I can remember. My grandfather had Penthouse and Playboy on his coffee table! Or as my Grandma used to say "Pentboy and Playhouse". Haha. We can't all be doctors or lawyers.

Digital Liver:

Sex, debauchery, decadence, love, dancing, fashion?


//Tense//:

In this order::: love, dancing, sex, fashion, decadence, debauchery

No love equals bad sex and I've been dancing since I was a very young boy. I remember making my parents sit through me dancing along to Technotronic. There is a video of this somewhere...

Digital Liver:

What do you think the role of the artist is in contemporary society?

//Tense//:

An escape from our dreary mundane realities. It's depressing that we have to work so hard doing things we might not enjoy every day of our lives, just give me something exciting to take my mind off it.


Digital Liver:

The past 8 years have been heavy in terms of absurd and extremist social happenings-what flavor is next?

//Tense//:

More drugs. More sex. The kids don't care as long as it's easy. The fall of Rome is near....


Digital Liver:

When are you coming to Denton?

//Tense//:

Haha. Give me a month or two. I want it bad.


Digital Liver:

How can the good people get your ep?

//Tense//:

Email me! I love contact with people. If you send me yr address I will send you an ep. Money is not an issue. I am just flattered that anyone cares.

//Tense// PLAYS LIVE TONIGHT!!!




//Tense//

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