Jensen (Iron Lung Records)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2017? (In order 1-5)
Of the things we did not release:
- Lebenden Toten - Mind Parasites
- Necrot - Blood Offerings
- Sleaford Mods - English Tapas
- Brandon Terzic & Ravi Padmanabha - Live at Shakti Yoga
- Shabazz Palaces - Quazarz albums
2. What band did you discover in 2017 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
If I had to limit it to one artist, I kind of found Skepta and 67 at the same time and so they are connected in my brain. Rap is largely a disposable genre these days so it's sick to hear something that may stick in my head for longer than a few weeks. 67 blends Drill and Grime together perfectly making an unholy alliance of ugly, dark rap that is very aggressive. That is the energy I always want to hear regardless of the genre. Skepta has this song called "Top Boy" that I just can't stop listening to. A hard-ass beat and smooth flows from an earnest, hard working artist with longevity and creativity. What's not to respect in that?
Runners up to this are John Berberian and the Rock East Ensemble, Bruce Langhorne and his incredible score to The Hired Hand, Hide (live show!), Nosferatu (TX) and Ras Michael & The Sons of Negus. I'm always looking for new sounds so I really can't limit myself to one artist after all. Fuck that.
3. How will you remember 2017? (In terms of music)
The year that took a year to make the Innumerable Forms album that still isn't done but almost is. The year I had to pack my records and move thus interrupting my flow of musical discoveries. The year that Lebenden Toten put out new records proving that they are still America's best current hardcore band.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2018?
The label is always pushing out so expect more noise, more ferocity, more experimentation and more freedom. Hardcore forever.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2018?
The Mortiferum LP, Acrylics LP, a new Gauze album????, David Bailey (Cages/Gas Chamber) solo album.
6. For most, 2017 will be remembered as a year of political and social conflict. How does that cultural atmosphere influence your own music or artistic life?
It's impossible to ignore the insane amount of sexual harassment and outed racism that is happening in this country. People have always been disappointing to say the least but this year they have reached a new low that completely infuriates me. All that rage comes out on my drums. I feel bad for them but it's better than going to prison for murdering nazis.
