The Eighth Note is 8 quick Questions with Wellington Musicians. A chance for us to catch up with people & see what they’re up to, or introduce you to a new musician/band and their music.
Up next is Club 121’s Jesper Tjarnfors.

Who are you? Tell us a bit about your music:
My name is Jesper Tjarnfors, I’m a Swedish fella who moved to NZ roughly four years ago and has since then been closely involved with Club 121, being one half of 121 Soundsystem. The music I produce today is quite different from when I started as an 18-year old. I produce Minimal or Deep tech which a sub-genre well known in Eastern Europe as well as South America. It’s all about subtle grooves, textures and evolving sounds which is what I love about the genre.

What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or albums on the way?
I have just released an EP on the Argentinian label Rationalism Records which is out on Beatport. Three individually unique tracks in a rather floaty and ‘spacy’ manner which represents the direction I’ve been heading lately. In a few months, I have a single as well as a remix for NZ’s own 2XM & Scheme out on two separate labels in Russia. Very excited about those releases too!

Where is the best place people can follow you & find your music?
On Soundcloud, Bandcamp and Facebook!

What were the 3 most influential albums to you growing up?
Oh this is tough. Daft Punk – Discovery though is given. ‘One more time’ was the first dance track I encountered and without realizing at the time, it sparked that euphoric sense of just wanting to dance. Groove Armada – Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub) is another one of those. Kid Cudi – Man on the Moon was one album I listened to religiously too!

Which other Wellington musician (s) would you most like to work with?
Equally as tough! Wellington as a whole has an incredible array of talented musicians. I have really been enjoying the works of Cory Champion, Mongo Skato, Benny Salvadore, Ludus and Uber driver to name a few! It would be cool to work alongside either of them at some point – even though genre-wise it’s quite different from what I do.

What’s your favourite Wellington venue to play in?
Club 121 was always my favourite, it was like playing at your home court for me. I’m equally as excited about the new space and I can’t wait to play there soon!

In your songwriting or composing (or the band’s songwriting) how do the compositions and songs take shape?
It differs, but rather often I start out with the drums as it is the foundation of my music. After I’ve created 16-bars worth of drums that feels consistent, yet interesting and solid enough to last I move on to the bassline which I tend to create through either U-he Diva, Ableton’s Operator or Analog, or sometimes Arturia VI Collection’s Modular-V. It is important to me that the Kick / Bass combo feels solid and worthy enough before I move on to the more musical aspect of the track which usually consists of pads, arpeggios and textures.

Where/when is your next gig?
I played at the opening of the new Club 121, last Saturday, and hopefully will be back there soon!