The Jensens chat about new single ‘paper walls’ & 2021 album!
Brisbane indie pop rock outfit The Jensens are back and better than ever after dropping their brand new single Paper Walls.
The fiery track about internal struggles and hopes for future self growth is accompanied by a colourful, groovy video clip, created in collaboration with visual artist Unclechronicbone. The single precedes The Jensens’ highly anticipated new album Hammer and Blush, scheduled for release on May 21, 2021.
We were lucky enough to catch up with legends to chat about their new release and upcoming album!
Hey fellas, how the heck are ya?
Just so damn good, thank you!
So you’ve just released your new singLe ‘Paper Walls’ which is such a fiery track, really makes us crave a good old pre-COVID mosh – tell us about the inspiration behind the track and what the song means to you guys?
It really means a lot to have this track finally out there! We have been working on this album for a while now and to have it announced with ‘Paper Walls’ is really exciting for us.
The music behind the song was influenced by a variety of things. Joe started the track on Ableton with these loud Brit rock guitars and the drum beat which reminded me of some early Vampire Weekend tracks. We then spent a few days at Joe’s parents’ house in Samford where we laid down the synths.
I’d say they were inspired by Angles by The Strokes and Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips. As for the vocal delivery, Joe and I talked about it sounding similar to the way Justin Young, from The Vaccines, would record this track.
The lyrics of the track, however, are about the advent of internal struggles and hope for a brighter personal future.
Aaaand of course, you’ve got your third album ‘Hammer and Blush’ to be released next May! Tell us about it – how was the writing and recording process and what can fans expect?
I think that fans can expect a very diverse album. It’s 15 tracks long and covers everything from Radiohead inspired psych to influences of Bowie, MGMT and I Know Leopard. We were really lucky to have recorded this album largely at Bedlam Studios in Brisbane where a few of us were living. So we wrote and recorded it in the studio and spent most of the time there just experimenting with sounds that might work. Aaaanndd then our mix engineer Brock Western opens the session and finds the things that really work and the things that just don’t need to be in there, haha.
Your QLD tour is also fast approaching, what are you most looking forward to?
Definitely looking forward to testing some new tracks on the road! And just to play a run of shows again. This year has definitely been a strange one but I think a tour even as small as this one will get us feeling almost normal again.
You guys seem like a tight-nit little family, what’s the best part about playing with all your best mates?
Well, we’ve all been a huge part of each other's lives for the past six years now, so I guess the best part is just to share these experiences with one another. There are definitely ups and downs but it's nice to go through it all together as a band.
Alrighty a few rapid-fire Q’s to finish off !!
Favourite beers?
Asahi Black
Favourite place to gig?
Enmore Theatre
Best song to mosh to?
The Tony Hawk pro skater soundtrack
Who would be your dream band/artist to play alongside?
Radiohead
Thanks fellas!
Set to launch Paper Walls in style with a short run of COVID-safe shows in Queensland, the band will kick off at Solbar on November 6, moving through Mo’s Desert Clubhouse on December 4 and finishing up with the official single launch at Black Bear Lodge on December 11.
Interview & article by Darcy Goss
Courtesy of On The Map PR