From its early beginnings in Ljubljana to Berlin, Tzena has made a name for himself in the European underground scene. Praised for his genre-transcending sets that take listeners on a journey, his music brings positive vibes with an energetic yet elegant style. Tzena sits with us to open up about his story, music philosophy and dreams in this interview.

The Partae: Thanks for being with us, Tzena. The first question is about your name, where does it come from?

Tzena: It’s an anagram of my name Nace (pronounced Na-tze), a kind of Balkan wordplay that involves replacing syllables. At the time, I thought it might be a clever idea, as I believed that foreigners would find it easier to pronounce than my actual name. As it turns out, it’s quite the opposite so I’ve been considering a name change somewhere in the back of my mind.

The Partae: Tell us about your journey as a DJ. How did it start and how did you develop into what you are today?

Tzena: Well, it might sound a bit cheesy, but my journey into DJing started before I even knew what a DJ was. As soon as I got my first iPod or MP3 player, I just always wanted to plug it into some speakers and play music to friends.

Then, in high school, things took a turn when one of my closest buddies bought a DJ controller, at the time we were into mainstream EDM. I started feeling left behind: “He’s going to be a DJ and not me?”. I vividly remember thinking, “I’ve watched many DJs at parties, and I bet I could do it better. I want to do this!” But making the big move wasn’t easy. It felt like DJs were from another planet, and I had no idea where to start. Until one day, I walked into a store, bought a controller, and just like that, I was a DJ – at least in theory.

We started spinning at birthday bashes and high school parties, you know, the usual stuff. Slowly, I started discovering new music and expanding into different genres like tech house, techno and deep house. After high school, my sound horizons expanded as I started going to raves and parties in Ljubljana, mostly Klub K4. Since then, I began collecting records like a maniac. At that point, I didn’t know yet other DJs playing vinyl in the Ljubljana scene. I relied on this website called Decks to order new records each week – a bit of techno, a sprinkle of Romanian minimal, Kerri Chandler re-presses, whatever I could find.

That’s when I started connecting with the Slovenian scene and I found myself immersed in a more underground rhythm. Francesco Del Garda and Nicolas Lutz were two of the artists that I first heard at K4 and it was a transformative experience, not just for me I think, but for the entire scene.

The Partae: You are now based in Berlin, why did you decide to make the move? Was it primarily for your DJ career, or are there other motivations?

Tzena: Yeah, it’s been on the cards for a while. At first, I was hesitant because I was worried about losing my identity in a big, chaotic city like Berlin, you know? We were really building something solid back in Slovenia with Luckison. But then the pandemic hit, and I also got together with my girlfriend, who was a big part of the decision. Plus, I felt like I was stuck in Slovenia – not making much money, no other career prospects, and lacking inspiration for digging or making music. Berlin offered a fresh start with various opportunities. Living with just my girlfriend also meant fewer distractions and more time to focus on myself and my music. It was definitely the right move for me.

The Partae: It’s interesting how the music scene is becoming more genreless, drawing influences from different styles. Yet it’s somehow important for a DJ to categorize or label their music for the audience. How would you describe your music with three adjectives?

Tzena: Honestly, the tracks that inspire me the most are the ones that defy easy categorization. They blend genres in ways that make you go, “What even is this?”.
Moving beyond genres, some adjectives describe the essence of my music and my approach to making it.

The first would be “smooth”. I don’t even know if this is a real adjective for music, but it is something I like to maintain while playing.
Another one is “positive”. There’s this happy vibe in house music that I try to capture. It’s like the foundation. Overall, I’d say my music has a general aura that leans towards the light rather than the dark.
Oh, and I’ve been hearing people describe my music as “elegant” lately, which I think is pretty cool. So, let’s go with that – elegance.

The Partae: Let’s now talk about your methodology in making music. How do you discover new music? Are you more of a record store person, or do you rely on online platforms?

Tzena: I do a bit of both. Living in Berlin now, I’m lucky to have access to such a variety of record stores and I should definitely go digging more often. Sometimes I’ll have a week where I hit up all the shops, and then I might go a couple of months without buying anything. It varies. But yeah, I try to take advantage of being here.
Of course, I also search for anything online, it’s a mix of different platforms and online stores: Discogs, Beatport, Juno, Decks, Bandcamp – whatever I feel like that day. Lately, I’ve been getting into new releases more. There’s been a surge of quality and originality of production in the last couple of years so I get to play a lot of newer stuff.

The Partae: How about your live performances? Do you have a specific method when you’re prepping for a set or do you prefer keeping it more spontaneous? 

Tzena: For me, one of the joys of DJing is figuring things out on the spot. I need the crowd in front of me to see what they react to before starting to put all the pieces together. Of course, I do some prep at home, especially with new records. But mostly, it’s about listening to tracks, understanding their vibe, and knowing how they start, how they end and how they flow. I tend to group tracks into different categories: Beginning of the set, big-time escalation, something in between etc.. That’s it. If I try to prepare too much at home, it just messes with my mood and somehow nothing works! Things come together better in the moment. That’s just how it works for me.

The Partae: You are part of the label Luckison together with other emerging Slovenian artists like Mayell, Mornik and Kosta and Tim Kern. Do you see the label as a platform for international exposure, or is it more of a casual project among friends?

Tzena: It was always more of an experiment than a serious project. The first couple of releases were just our own productions with no names. Whenever we felt like something was ready, we put it out but we didn’t really put much info out there, just a stamp on the record to see what happens. International exposure or not, the attitude was always meant to be casual.

The Partae: So, do you see the LuckIsOn leaning more towards releases or gigs?

Tzena: Definitely more towards gigs, and parties. The label is more like a safe space where to put music out there. We released other artists too. We had a release with some talented mates from London called Felon5 and we’ll have more with other artists in the future. We have to come across something truly interesting and unique – something fresh that hasn’t been heard before – that’s when we’re interested. Otherwise, we’re not actively hunting for music to release. If something falls into our lap and it feels genuinely cool and fresh, then we go for it. But we’re not in a rush to put out records just to keep things active. If we have something, great. If not, that’s fine too.

The Partae: And for you personally, do you prefer the production side or playing gigs?

Tzena: Personally, I’m still more of a DJ than a music maker. Playing music is what I enjoy most. But I do love being in the studio too. Both take a lot of time and dedication, especially if you’re juggling it with a day job. I enjoy both, and I started producing more so I could make tracks to play live. That’s how it all started to get more serious. So yeah, I’m more of a DJ than a producer, but they go hand in hand for me.

The Partae: Where do you see yourself playing in Berlin or Europe in the future? Any dream venues or festivals?

Tzena: I had a bucket list moment last year at Closer in Kyiv, Ukraine. Played there in February 2023: Incredible club, with amazing people. They’re struggling now due to the war, but they’re still doing cool daytime parties. Also, Robert Johnson in Offenbach (DE) has always been a dream spot. In Berlin I feel really comfortable at Hoppetosse and Club der Visionaere. Sometimes I forget how much of a dream come true it is to play there. There are plenty of clubs or festivals that I could name, but there are so many cool spots all over the world that it’s hard to single out any particular one. If I can just manage to play out regularly that’s a dream come true on it’s own!

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Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your new single, “Miss Miserable,” and what message you hope to convey through it?

I was inspired during a low time in my life. There were lots of thoughts in my head and I realized in that moment that ‘this would sound good as lyrics.’ There’s no outright message, it’s more of an expression of my feelings and for those who can relate to how I felt and what I went through, to ensure they don’t feel alone in their own feelings.

How does “Miss Miserable” fit into the larger narrative of your music journey and the evolution of your sound?

Miss Miserable is the last song I’ll be releasing before my upcoming EP which is a completely different sound to my early works and Miss Miserable. You could say it’s the closing chapter of that era. I want to make bolder creative choices in my future work, incorporating genres that wouldn’t appear in Miss Miserable and other works prior to that.

What were some of the challenges you faced while creating “Miss Miserable,” and how did you overcome them?

For Miss Miserable, it was more of a method of expression, an outlet for all my emotions so I felt like its production wa more therapeutic than challenging.

Could you elaborate on how your influences, such as BABYMETAL, Poppy, and Bring Me The Horizon, have shaped your approach to music, particularly in this latest release?

For me, the topics these artists sing about are my main takeaways from their creations. They sing about heavy topics and are very emotion-driven. For Miss Miserable in particular, I wouldn’t say they were my main influences but it’d be my guitarist since he was the one who wrote out the riffs and such, I wrote its lyrics and melodies.

You’ve described “Miss Miserable” as an ode to your younger self. How did you navigate the process of channeling personal experiences into your songwriting?

One of the things that helped me get into the mindset was reading the diaries of a younger me. It was like I was a penpal from the future, conversing with her as I wrote.

“Miss Miserable” marks the beginning of a new era for you. Can you share any insights into what listeners can expect from your upcoming music releases?

Expect the unhinged. I was more timid at the start, but now I’m holding back way less when it comes to my ideas and experimenting.

How do you balance the infectious energy and raw emotion present in “Miss Miserable” with your intricate guitar work and songwriting prowess?

I think teamwork made both aspects balanced. While my guitarist worked on the production of the instruments, I worked on the melodies and lyrics and the overall of its production to give the song its ‘RinRin’ vibe.

“Guns and Grenades” received critical acclaim and won several awards. How does the success of that single influence your approach to releasing new music, especially “Miss Miserable”?

For me, it made me want to change up what I make. I don’t want to always do the same thing. I love experimenting and exploring so whenever something’s successful, I try going a different direction.

Your music has garnered significant attention on streaming platforms and radio stations. How do you leverage these platforms to connect with your audience and promote your music effectively?

By getting assistance from our publicists and releasing songs as frequently as possible, creating more social media content as much as I can, taking advantage of the free marketing platforms available. 

As you continue to tour and perform live, how do you adapt your music to engage different audiences, especially considering your diverse influences and sound?

Based on my experiences so far, I can see that my audience enjoys what I’m doing. If anything, the positive reception encouraged me to be unafraid to express myself through my music.

Can you share any memorable experiences or highlights from your recent Australian tour and performances with renowned rock and metal bands?

The highlight of my experience was hanging out with like-minded individuals. The bands I played with, Live Like Animals and Inferiority Complex, and I were a little awkward at first but we got along so well and even had a killer game of mini golf. It’s always great to make connections with people with the same passions I do because we go from strangers to good friends at the end of it all.

With representation in multiple regions, including Australia, New Zealand, China, and Japan, how do you navigate the challenges and opportunities of reaching audiences across different cultural landscapes?

Music is a universal language that can transcend a lot of things and reach people no matter where they are. There will always be fans of metal and rock around the world and I want to connect with them through my music despite the different cultural landscapes while respecting that culture’s customs.

https://www.facebook.com/RinRinMusicOfficial/

https://www.instagram.com/RinRinMusicOfficial

Congratulations on the release of ‘No Retaliation, Part 1: The Solo’s.’ Can you share with us the emotions and thoughts that went into creating this album, especially considering it’s your most personal project to date?

Creating ‘No Retaliation, Part 1: The Solo’s’ was an incredibly emotional journey for me. It’s undoubtedly my most personal project yet, as it delves into themes of loss, change, and inner turmoil. Every track on the album is a reflection of the rollercoaster of emotions I experienced during this period of my life.

The album is part of a trilogy, including ‘The Collabs’ and ‘The Orchestra of Eternity.’ How do these three albums collectively pay tribute to your late father and creative partner, and how did the idea of connecting them through the word ‘DAD’ in their artwork come about?

The trilogy of albums, including ‘The Collabs’ and ‘The Orchestra of Eternity,’ is a tribute to both my father, my creative partner. We shared a deep bond over music, and I wanted these albums to honor his memory. The idea of connecting them through the word ‘DAD’ came about as a way to symbolize the impact he had on my life and my art.

The Solo’s album contains 12 brand new tracks, including ‘Won’t Bow Down.’ Can you walk us through the creative process behind this single and how it sets the tone for the entire album?

‘Won’t Bow Down’ is a particularly special track for me. It sets the tone for the entire album with its powerful energy and defiant lyrics. The creative process behind this single was intense, as I poured my heart and soul into every aspect of its production. It’s a declaration of strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

In your message to fans, you mentioned facing challenges like leaving your booking agency and music label, along with personal losses. How did these hardships influence your music, and what role did your fans play in helping you overcome these challenges?

Facing challenges like leaving my booking agency and music label, as well as personal losses, deeply influenced my music. These hardships forced me to confront my emotions and channel them into my art. My fans played a crucial role in helping me through these tough times, providing unwavering support and encouragement.

The loss of your father in 2021 is a significant part of your journey with this project. How did this experience impact the direction and themes of your music in the ‘No Retaliation’ trilogy?

The loss of my father in 2021 had a profound impact on the direction and themes of the ‘No Retaliation’ trilogy. His passing forced me to confront my own mortality and reevaluate my priorities in life. His memory is woven throughout the albums, serving as both inspiration and catharsis.

‘No Retaliation’ is described as a story of loss, uncertainty, change, and mental challenges, but also of strength, determination, and perseverance. How did the process of producing this album help you personally in dealing with your emotions and finding closure?

Producing ‘No Retaliation’ was a deeply cathartic process for me. It allowed me to confront and process my emotions in a creative way, ultimately leading to a sense of closure and healing. Through the music, I was able to find strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

You’ve mentioned that life is too short to stay in the past and that you don’t have time to be hateful. How did this mindset shape the narrative of the album, and what message do you hope listeners take away from your story?

My mindset of focusing on the present and spreading positivity heavily influenced the narrative of the album. I hope listeners take away a message of resilience, determination, and hope from my story. Life is too short to dwell on negativity, and I want my music to inspire others to keep pushing forward, no matter the obstacles they may face.

Aside from the albums, you’ve been working on a new live-act called ‘Radical Redemption & his Orchestra of Eternity.’ Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind this unique concept and what fans can expect from this live experience?

‘Radical Redemption & his Orchestra of Eternity’ is a new live-act that combines elements of classical music with hard dance. The inspiration behind this concept came from my desire to push the boundaries of live performance and create a truly unique experience for my fans. Expect a fusion of intense energy, emotional depth, and breathtaking visuals.

Looking ahead, you mentioned your 7th solo album in the works, planned for 2024/2025. Can you provide any insights into what we can expect from this upcoming album and how it might differ from your previous works?

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You are known for your sold-out solo events, such as ‘The Road to Redemption,’ ‘Command & Conquer,’ and ‘The Orchestra of Eternity.’ How do you approach creating these events, and what makes them stand out in the hard dance industry?

I approach creating solo events like ‘The Road to Redemption’ and ‘The Orchestra of Eternity’ with a focus on delivering an immersive and unforgettable experience for my fans. Attention to detail, innovative production techniques, and a deep connection with my audience are what set these events apart in the hard dance industry.

Reflecting on your career, what do you consider your proudest moments or achievements so far, and how have they shaped the artist you are today?

Reflecting on my career, I’m incredibly proud of the moments where I’ve been able to connect with my fans on a deeper level through my music and performances. Their support and enthusiasm have shaped me into the artist I am today, and I’m grateful for every opportunity to share my art with the world.

Lastly, for fans eagerly awaiting your upcoming shows, what can they anticipate from your performances in the near future, and is there anything specific you’d like to share with your dedicated fanbase?

For fans eagerly awaiting my upcoming shows, expect nothing short of an electrifying and emotional experience. I pour my heart and soul into every performance, and I can’t wait to share new music and memories with you all. Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication.

Website: https://www.radicalredemption.nl

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radicalredemption/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RadicalRedemptionDJ

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rdclredemption

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/radical-redemption

Congratulations on the upcoming release of the extended edition of “Life, Love & Everything After”! What inspired you to expand the album with these additional tracks?

I felt like the concept of the album was so rich and I hadn’t fully explored all of the avenues of Life, Love & Everything After. Honestly they are such diverse subjects that it’s hard to ever feel like you’ve said all there is to say and I probably never will. But I’ve learned over the last few years not to be quite as precious with new material. I would hate to think I let a song sit on my hard drive that was maybe just the right song to help someone out in a time of need and that’s really what music is all about to me.

Can you walk us through the themes you explore in the new songs added to the extended edition, such as “Why Do I Do This,” “I Could See It In Your Eyes,” “Save Myself,” and “The End”?

Definitely!

“Why Do I Do This” is a song about self sabotage and feeling like you’re just going around in circles and never getting anywhere. At the same time it’s about reaching out for help when you need it and to a small degree not setting unrealistic expectations for yourself.

“I Could See It In Your Eyes” is a love song straight from my life. This is one of the older songs on the album as far as the time frame of writing it goes. It’s mine and my wife’s love story. It’s also a love story for anyone that met their partner under less than ideal circumstances which creates that scary in-between phase where you both know this is what you want out of life and have the faith and patience to let it all work out in time.

“Save Myself” is about having someone in your life and watching them slip away or get consumed by something unhealthy and the struggle between deciding when it’s no longer possible for you to help them and yourself and you have that hard decision to make. At the end of the day it is about that love you have for someone and that commitment to be by their side ‘til the end as long as they are willing to be there for themselves as well.

When it comes to the last song on the album “The End” you have to be fully immersed in the 20 song extended version of the album to get the full picture. The non extended release featured 15 songs including 3 songs named after the title of the album. The intro track “Life” the interlude “Love” and the final song on that release “Everything After”. They explored each concept in depth and to just add some songs after didn’t feel like I was doing the concept justice. “The End” is exactly how it sounds. It serves as the outro track of the album to tie everything together but also delves into the unknown and the cyclical nature of life, Although a less traditional track this one holds a special place in my heart.

“With You” is the current radio single from the extended album. What significance does this song hold for you personally, and why did you choose it as a single?

“With You” is a very important love song to me. I have some friends that got married recently and found it hard to find a first dance song that didn’t have specific details that didn’t pertain to their love. I also have a few friends that had a hard time finding non gendered love songs. I wanted to write an inclusive love song that didn’t have any language or circumstances that made them feel the song wasn’t for them or their love. Everyone deserves to be loved and everyone deserves a love song.

How do you feel your songwriting and musical style have evolved since your debut album, “Take My Hand,” released in 2014?

As much as there was an innocence to my writing 10 years ago. I was restricted by only being able to write songs when some mythical divine inspiration struck. Over the years as I developed my skills more as a songwriter I was able to write much more intentional music and I no longer suffer from the writer’s block that is waiting for that perfect storm of inspiration. This has given me the opportunity to write about much deeper concepts and express myself much more fully.

Your music is known for its emotionally charged vocal performances. Could you share a bit about your creative process when it comes to infusing emotion into your songs?

Over the years as I’ve grown as a vocalist and would start to receive compliments I knew I wasn’t by any stretch an amazing singer. But it seemed like what people were captured by was the fact that they felt something when I sang the songs. For me music has always been about connecting with people and making them feel less alone. I’ve always focused on being present in the song I’m singing and visualizing things and moments that make me feel the emotion of the lines I’m delivering and I feel like that translates through the vocal performance.

You’ve achieved significant success on platforms like YouTube and streaming services. How do you think these digital platforms have influenced your music career?

I think the biggest thing digital platforms in general have shown me is that there is an audience out there for everyone; it’s just a matter of reaching those people. There was a time where I felt like I was stuck playing the same shows to the same people over and over again. And as much as I owe so much to those people I feared my music just wasn’t good enough. My presence online made me realize I may have reached most of the people in my immediate physical vicinity that like my music but there are still tens or hundreds of thousands of people out there if not more that will like my music but just haven’t had a chance to be exposed to it yet..

Your 2023 coast-to-coast Canadian Tour was a huge success with sold-out shows across the country. What were some of the most memorable moments from that tour, and how do you think it impacted your growth as an artist?

Honestly some of the best memories were meeting some of these people that had started following me online but I had never met in person. As well as just being able to go across the country and have people show up for you in general is just a wild thing. The space inbetween the shows of traveling the country and bonding with the band I had with me was also a highlight. The way it impacted me most as an artist is that it made me realize there is no better time than now to take these next big steps. At one point it seemed like touring the country wasn’t going to be a reality but now after having done that I realize what’s stopping me from touring other countries and parts of the world.

You’ve collaborated with various Canadian artists and worked on multiple tracks for different projects. How do these collaborations influence your creative process, and what do you enjoy most about collaborating with other musicians?

I’ve been honoured to work on a lot of different projects in a songwriting capacity as well as an engineer, producer and mixer. Some of these projects are passion projects with friends and others are with accomplished world renowned artists and collaborators. The biggest influence this has had on me is as an inspiration to keep growing in my own art. The thing I enjoy most about working on other peoples music is helping them translate who they are into how the music sounds.

The new songs on the extended album delve into themes of life, love, loss, and mental health. How do you hope listeners will connect with these themes through your music?

My hope is that when they’re listening to a song about life or mental health the song is there to make them feel less alone and safe and understand it’s ok to be a little lost sometimes. When they’re listening to a song about loss I hope they’re reminiscing about the ones they’ve lost and allowing them to feel whatever emotion they need to to continue healing from that loss. I especially want them to remember those people because that’s one of the places our loved ones live on, is in our memories. And lastly when they’re listening to a song about love I want them to feel included and loved and believe in one of the most magical feelings this world holds for us.

Can you share any anecdotes or stories behind the creation of specific songs on the extended album that hold particular significance to you?

In the song “The End” similar to the Intro song “Life” and interlude song “Love” there are little easter eggs of titles, lines and concepts from not only other songs on the album but references to other songs that are important to me that reflect those topics.

As an artist who aims to emotionally connect with his audience, what do you hope listeners will take away from “Life, Love & Everything After”?

I hope the album can bring people a few things. One of which is just an escape from everyday life. In my mind there is nothing wrong with using arts and entertainment as a little mini vacation from the struggles the real world sometimes holds. Secondly I just hope that they connect with at least 1 song in a way that makes them feel like they’re seen. And lastly I hope listeners will find comfort in knowing they are not alone in what they’re going through and to embrace the good and bad in life and in love and take a moment to remember those they’ve lost along the way.

Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals for the future of your music career, and how do you plan to continue engaging with your audience in meaningful ways?

Looking to the future, my main goals and aspirations are the same as they’ve always been, which is to reach as many people as possible through my music and have my music be there for them the way music has been there for me. In the immediate future I’m looking at ways of bringing different versions of my live show to not only in person audiences around the world but also virtual audiences as well.

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“Better Make A Move” seems to tackle themes of ambition and desire. Can you elaborate on the inspiration behind the song and what message you aim to convey to your audience?

The lyrics for this song came to me really quickly. I had the idea for the chorus line “Now you’ve learned to play the game, you’ll die up on that hill” written in my lyric notes. I wanted the line to represent the stubborn ambition of someone trying to make a name for themself. A person that desires only to see their name in lights. There is a huge shift in society right now, anybody has the opportunity of becoming somebody online. A new icon for the people, an ‘influencer’ by profession. While this is new and exciting, it is also very addictive; the urge for instant gratification. The push to blow up your social account and go viral is the name of the game and everybody wants their little slice of fame. 

The final message is in the second part of the chorus: “One day we’ll be on time to catch the last ride so we can see all of the sights”. I have this never ending goal to be on time and get everything i’m working on finished; maybe then there will be space to breathe. 

The take away from the song is to stop and look around, take in the present moment and make true connections with the people who are most important in our life.

As a solo artist with ALTERJOY, how does the creative process differ from your experience in The Daily Chase? 

Nothing beats writing songs with your best friends in a creative space or sending song ideas across the web while living interstate. The writing process with The Daily Chase boys is always super fun and rewarding. I think our song writing has become very efficient over the years. The creative process is completely different with ALTERJOY and still just as fun, although it does have its pros and cons. I have complete freedom to play with any genre influences I want and there’s no silly ideas. This is a blessing and a curse as I’m currently sitting on 9 tracks, all of which do not sound anything alike. 

“Better Make A Move” blends various genres like rock, EDM, metal, and dark pop. How do you approach incorporating such diverse elements into your music, and what do you think this adds to the overall impact of the song?

I grew up as a punk rock kid, listening to skate punk bands such as NOFX and Strung Out. I was always intrigued by other sounds and styles and found myself experimenting with electronic music through my teens. I listen to a lot of music, nearly every hour of the day that I don’t have a video camera in my hand. I’m always searching for new sounds outside of the music I have written for the past 10 years. In the modern music arena, it’s becoming ever more common to slap synths behind electric guitars or add a rave chop to a metal breakdown. With all these blended elements, I believe creating something catchy and still musical is where the magic lies. Enter Shikari was the band that challenged everything I thought I knew about how heavy music should sound. They were and still are the catalyst to my creative drive in music creation. 

Blending genres and using a diversity of styles in a song will not only broaden the overall sound but make it more accessible. Rock, metal and electronic fans all have an opportunity to find something they enjoy in the track if it is well written.

Could you tell us about your collaboration with producer Chris Lalic and how his involvement influenced the direction of “Better Make A Move”?

I’ve worked with Chris since 2019 on TDC stuff and started doing ALTERJOY mid 2022. I write and record my pre-pros in my home studio before taking him a selection of tracks. Some times we pick the songs that just need a few tweaks and vocal melodies. Some times he wants to work on a track that has a fun sounding section we can build from. When we’re in the studio together, anything goes. I throw some pretty cooked ideas at him for ALTERJOY and he’s always down. We somehow managed to use his kitchen wok pan and even a massage gun as practical instruments during the studio sessions. I usually crash at his place for a week, work on the songs during the day and write my lyrics at night. He cooks me eggs and we watch ridiculous european techno music videos. Chris is an amazing producer and anyone who has worked with him would agree.

You’ve mentioned that ALTERJOY is a project free from genre restraint. How do you navigate this freedom while maintaining a cohesive sound and identity for the project?

Being the only member of the project, I don’t have anyone to bounce off of creatively. I’m indecisive by nature so this can be tricky when I’m trying to lock in a creative decision. I just remember to back myself and keep having fun with the project. I’m creating music that I genuinely love and having a great time doing it. ALTERJOY’s identity will continue to develop and evolve with each release, maintaining a dark tone as the project’s backbone.

“This is Real” served as ALTERJOY’s debut single, while “Hella Good” was a cover of a No Doubt song. How do you select the songs you want to release, and what do you look for in a cover to make it your own?

‘This is Real’ was the first song I wrote for the project so it felt natural to release it first. The song styles develop throughout the release schedule. The next track I release is one of the heaviest. The ‘Hella Good’ cover was a last minute decision in the studio, we had a spare day booked so we went for it. We picked the cover, built the song and recorded the vocals and guitars all in a day. I came back to re-do some of the chorus lines but we kept all of the original demo tracked vocals for the verses because they just sounded fun. We felt the song resonated with the dark tone of the project and we knew we could do the track justice with our own heated version. I wanted the song to sound fresh and unique while still capturing the attitude of the original.

Spending time on the Gold Coast seems to have played a role in igniting your creativity for ALTERJOY. Can you describe how your environment influences your music and artistic vision?

I travel a lot for work with my film company Headstrong Films so I’m always finding inspiration in far away places. Last year I did Portugal, Malaysia, USA, Japan and England. It’s great to venture out of Australia and take a small glimpse at life outside of the bubble. I also love coming up with song ideas while in transit. Lot’s of long flights and time abroad to work on lyrics and write music. 

With social media playing such a significant role in society, “Better Make A Move” touches on the theme of prioritizing status and wealth over human connection. How do you navigate social media as a musician, and do you see it as a tool for connection or a potential hindrance to genuine connection?

It can be a great tool to connect, it really depends on the intent behind it. Social media stands as the ultimate platform for networking, promoting music, and ensuring your voice is heard. More now than ever, unknown artists are going viral without any ad spend, PR or marketing. But that’s the killer, I’ve spent more time working my social media roll out than I have in the studio creating music. It’s easy to get caught up in it and get lost in the sheer amount of content. There’s even an industry of creators teaching people how to create the perfect TikTok video and still everyone is just competing for the attention. I feel the time spent creating throwaway content for social media takes my attention away from my family and friends. I’m not pointing the finger in my lyrical message, I’m just observing the society we are living in and taking notes. It’s important for me to always come back to my ‘why’, which is connecting with like-minded people through music and staying grounded in that.

How do you balance the personal introspection evident in your music with the desire to connect with and entertain your audience?

I love creating, I always have. I film and edit most of my own music videos and social clips, I do the same for TDC. I want people to see my videos and hear my songs, it’s part of the creative process. Build something special and let it free into the world.

I believe that most people can relate or take something away from the lyrics. Whether it’s the direct message or maybe their own interpretation of the lyrics. I’ve always written the main hook of a chorus to feel open to interpretation and easy to absorb, as everyone has their own story. “Now you’ve learned to play the game” can relate to a number of things: Pursuing a toxic relationship, working your life away in a dead end career or losing yourself in a broken social system. I want the listener to feel something when they hear that line… Then they’re hit with the cold hard truth: “You’ll die up on that hill”.

I feel reflection and self awareness are important rituals in my life. It’s good to stop, observe and understand the world we’re living in. I’m very aware that social media is a powerful tool that we will continue to benefit from. We just have to ask ourselves the question  of ‘why are we using it? Is it serving us and do we really need it to thrive as humans? Are we just trying to go viral for self fulfillment or are we trying to make real connections with people, fans and share music?

“Better Make A Move” is described as a rock tune at its core but incorporates elements from various genres. How do you see ALTERJOY’s sound evolving in future releases, and are there any specific genres or styles you’re eager to explore further?

The next few single releases will be a journey that may surprise fans. There’s a mix of industrial metalcore, drum & bass, techno and synth pop musically. Vocally, I’m leaning into pop, hip hop and rock. I’m starting to find more depth and substance in pop music; what really makes a great modern vocal hook. 

At this stage of the project, I’m casting my web fairly wide before I refine my sound on future releases. 

Can you walk us through your live performance setup for ALTERJOY? How do you translate the intricacies of your studio recordings into a compelling live experience?

I plan to establish this brand online and develop a catalog before stepping onto the stage. Once I do, it will be a three-piece act featuring a drummer playing live drums and percussion elements on pads, a guitarist, and myself leading the project on vocals and a keys/pads setup.

Looking ahead, what can fans expect from ALTERJOY in terms of upcoming music releases or projects, and what goals do you have for the project in the near future?

I’ll be releasing new ALTERJOY music regularly for the foreseeable future while still writing and performing with my band ‘The Daily Chase’. This project started as a creative outlet and has turned into something really fun that I can nurture, build and appreciate. 

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Congratulations on the upcoming release of ‘Merch Guy Mike’s Favourite Song’! Could you tell us about the inspiration behind the track and what message or emotion you aim to convey to your listeners?

Thank you very much!

I guess this song is our attempt at writing a classic rock n’ roll song. I think as a band we’ve officially entered our dad rock phase when we started rewriting this song together as a group!

I guess there isn’t really a message for the listeners with this song in particular. I mean the title probably has more meaning and more of a story than the lyrics themselves if I’m being honest. We used to call this song ‘Jeremy’s Song’ because I couldn’t be bothered naming it for so long. Merch guy Mike was actually my ex drummer’s dad who used to help us out with the merch table. I remember we used to have band practice at Morgan’s (ex drummer) house and every time we played that song, Mike (Morgan’s dad) would come downstairs and would have a listen and tell us that that song is his favourite song! So I renamed it after him!”

The single seems to embody your signature high-energy sound. How did you approach the songwriting and production process to capture that raw intensity?

So originally this song was actually supposed to be the final track of our debut album ‘Pull Yourself Together’ but we didn’t finish recording the song on time to release it with the rest of the album so it kinda just sat there. ‘Merch Guy Mike’s Favourite Song’ was recorded the same way as we recorded the rest of the songs from ‘Pull Yourself Together’ by doing everything besides the drums in my home studio. The drum tracks are actually the original drum tracks that my ex drummer Morgan (Lockhart) performed in Masters Studio in Palmerston, Northern Territory back in 2021. As for the vocals, bass and guitar tracks they were all re-recorded by my current bandmates at my home studio in Melbourne.

I started writing this song when I was 14 actually, believe it or not. I’ve played it live with other bands and it’s changed a lot since then. Fast forward to 2023 when I met James (lead guitar / vocals) and I showed it to him, he put his own spin to it and made it sound heavier. At first he started playing it in drop D tuning and I thought that it sounded amazing! James however had another trick up his sleeve… while I was playing the main riff in standard, Liam the other guitarist was playing it in drop D and James started playing it in drop C. So that’s 3 guitars in total with three different tunings!

We noticed some unexpected twists and turns in ‘Merch Guy Mike’s Favourite Song,’ particularly in the guitar solos and drumline. Can you share a bit about the creative process behind those elements?

I guess I’ve always wanted to write a song with a band where each member had their own moment of glory in the song. I guess you could say this song is more of a jam type of song with a lot more freedom and improvising. Guitar solos are great but bass solos and drum solos are too so why not put all three in one song!

As a band, you’ve been praised for your dynamic performances. How do you envision translating the energy of ‘Merch Guy Mike’s Favourite Song’ to your live shows?

Well I guess in terms of recording we try to capture everything that we would do in our live shows. If we can’t do it live then we don’t record it and put it into our song. We notice a lot of artists or bands these days use backing tracks and click tracks for their live shows, we’re kinda old fashioned in a way and just like to have fun jamming out on stage

With the release date fast approaching, what are your hopes and expectations for how fans will receive this new single?

I just hope they like it as much as we do!

Given the success of your debut album ‘Pull Yourself Together,’ how does ‘Merch Guy Mike’s Favourite Song’ fit into the evolution of Danger Den’s sound and style?

This is probably the heaviest song that Danger Den has ever released but it’s still just as catchy as the other songs from ‘Pull Yourself Together’!

Your influences range from Green Day to Rage Against The Machine. How do you balance paying homage to your inspirations while still carving out a unique sound for Danger Den?

As a band and as songwriters I guess we just write and play what we like and what we think sounds good to us and just try not to overthink it.

Can you walk us through a typical songwriting session for Danger Den? How do you collaborate and refine ideas to ultimately create a cohesive track like ‘Merch Guy Mike’s Favourite Song’?

I used to write all the songs for Danger Den but as of 2023 we’ve started writing songs together as a group. In our songwriting sessions usually it starts off with one of the members bringing in a demo with an idea or a part of a song and then we’d all sit down and try and figure out the parts. Once the structure is all figured out we move onto the lyrics. After that we jam it out and see what works and what doesn’t, so theres lot of trial and error in the process.

For ‘Merch Guy Mike’s Favourite Song’ in particular though, I wrote the song myself and the boys just came up with their own parts around it.”

From Darwin to Melbourne, your journey as a band has been marked by growth and evolution. How has your environment and experiences influenced the music you create?

Since moving from Darwin to Melbourne I guess I have noticed that my mind has been a lot more open these days to listening to different kinds of music that I don’t normally listen to. It’s true what they say here, Melbourne is the live music capital of Australia!

What do you hope listeners take away from ‘Merch Guy Mike’s Favourite Song’ both musically and lyrically?

Honestly I just hope they have a good time listening to it!

As finalists at the Northern Territory Music Awards and winners of the 2022 Territory Sounds Countdown, you’ve already achieved significant recognition. How does this upcoming single contribute to your momentum as a band?

Well one thing that we know for sure is that there’s plenty more where that came from! We don’t plan on slowing down and we still have a lot more to show to the world!

Looking ahead, what’s next for Danger Den? Are there any upcoming projects or milestones fans can look forward to after the release of ‘Merch Guy Mike’s Favourite Song’?

More shows and more music!

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