Interview – Shaun – Tenzenmen

Australia’s best grindcore band?
I’m not a big fan of generic styles of music but I like bands that push the boundaries of genre and add their own flavour. So I’m not sure if people consider them grindcore or not but I dig Agents of Abhorrence. I have enjoyed watching other grindcore bands but they’re not something I would listen to at home particularly. AoA would be about the only band that I would listen to at home. Best in Australia? – they certainly think so

What’s your main drive behind releasing music?
I’m just passionate about music in general and I want people to be able to have the chance to hear something that they might usually not. My taste is quite diverse, as mentioned above, I like music that is pushing the boundaries a bit and creating something new and innovative. So whatever the genre – if something stands out then that will likely be something I’d dig. I guess that doesn’t always translate to what is cool or hip and it can be an uncomfortable stance for some people. Another motive is to help bands, give them a leg up and an opportunity to get their music out to people. I work a little differently to most labels and the bands generally have complete control of everything from finances to end product. It’s a mutually beneficial system that hopefully generates some good will not just amongst ourselves but hopefully that extends out to others we come across walking a similar path.

You release lots of Asia-Pac bands, but why aren’t any of them grind?
As mentioned – something has to really stand out and although there are a gazillion Asian grind bands there’s none that grab me in the way that says ‘I have to release this!’ You can check out quite a few grind releases from around the region in my distro though – so why don’t you ever buy any?

If any international band came to Australia, who would you most want to? living or dead?
I think it would be better if they were living – pointless otherwise. To be honest I don’t pine for anyone in particular, I get more excited about being blown away by some new local band playing their first gig and watching something special develop. Luckily that happens a lot J

What really excites you about the Australian music scene at the moment?
I find Sydney an exciting place for music in general though that is based on the circles I run in. Due to many factors Sydney has difficulty developing any kind of cohesive ‘scene’ and out of that has grown an alternative. Shows outside the general accepted musical venues are what make it exciting for me. A good mix of musicians instead of some generic 4 band punk bill etc – that diversity keeps things interesting even if you don’t like the music you get an appreciation of the spirit in which it is presented. The non commercial aspects too – the fact that the motivation is on cultivation of something beyond mere financial gain based on beer sales. I don’t begrudge the standard pub venues but it is fairly obvious that none of them would exist without the bar sales ie music and a ‘scene’ is not their prime motivation.

What is the best gig you've seen this year?
Hmm – that’s a tough one. A gig is usually special because of some band you saw that blew you away but more recently I come away excited after a gig because of all the friends there, seeing new faces and the general atmosphere of hopefulness generated in such spaces. Was the Teale Palace house show this year? That was a fantastic day – a hugely diverse lineup capped off by Truth From Facts with their huge wall of guitar noise amazingly being followed by solo artist Caleb O’Neill who instantly charmed everyone with his fun songs on unusual instruments. Yeah – that was pretty killer.

What is your secret music shame? Beyonce?
I have no shame – good music is good music. If you want to check out something that you think I wouldn’t usually like then go find Plus-Tech Squeeze Box.

http://www.tenzenmen.com/