motel void

MOTEL VOID: You’re based in Copenhagen, Denmark. How would you describe the current music scene there? Do you feel that you’re part of it?

CHOPPER: I am not sure that we have one? Haha. Of course, you have various musical trends that come and go, like the hyperpop wave or the seemingly everlasting post-punk trend, in addition to the more mainstream mandatory pop and hip hop acts, but I tend to be pretty critical whenever there’s a fleeting movement going on. I think it’s important to have an open mind and be curious about whatever is going on, but hype seems to come and go, and I’ve experienced very skilled and creative people breaking their legs trying to fit the bill of current trends, which I find kind of sad. I don’t really feel a part of any community or a specific style in today’s music scene, and I think I am way too excited about music in general throughout its history, just to settle with whatever is momentarily popular. I want more.

MOTEL VOID: Your favorite local venues and artists?

CHOPPER: I like “Loppen” at Christiania, and then there’s a club called “Ny lille klub” which is a nice alternative to the usual clubs and venues in Copenhagen. I like imaginative characters and artists that challenge the field and format they are working within, for instance “Vamilla”, “Tetix Hexer”, “xo nina”, or “Zoumer”. I am also looking very much forward to the solo project “Catcase” by Lasse B. Beck, new “Syringe” material, and the next move from Quiet Sonia, just to name a few!

MOTEL VOID: You’ve just released your new single ‘Living for the Night’. Will it be part of your new record?

CHOPPER: Yes, “Living for the Night” will appear on the mini-album “Shock Pop Vol II,” which is set to be released on March 23. I am really proud of it, and I think the whole thing sounds really good! Normally, I tend to become both frustrated and sort of dissatisfied with the work when it’s finished and put out into the world. I think most musicians know that feeling, so it’s a real relief this time, to actually still be this happy about it.

MOTEL VOID: Could you tell us more about the recording and writing process of your songs?

CHOPPER: Recording and writing go very much hand in hand for me. I write and produce most of my music at home, with limited equipment, in a very small room (which is actually my whole apartment). I like to think of myself as a bit of an architect, and my songs as constructions built by various influences and experiences – musically, visually, and emotionally. An architect or a child just playing around, inventing weird stuff. I consider myself a pretty good thief, taking bits and pieces from different places, and putting them together in an interesting way. That being said, at the same time, I usually work very intuitively, and I am often only able to fully understand my work in retrospect.

MOTEL VOID: Your biggest inspirations right now?

CHOPPER: I have some serious issues getting sleep at night at the moment, and now I have been struck by this overwhelming urge to play around with disco and house music, which doesn’t help my bedtime situation at all! There’s a lot of hard pumping kicks and hysterical horn arrangements going on! Lately, I discovered the electronic dance group “Real Lies” which I really like. I also just rewatched the first “Saw” movie, and the score is actually pretty good! I think it would go well in a cocktail with some late 90’s “Pet Shop Boys”.

MOTEL VOID: Your other plans for 2024?

CHOPPER: I am in the middle of recording a new album, and then I will be expanding and working on my live setup, hopefully going on a tour around fall. I also have some secret plans which I won’t reveal because then they wouldn’t be secret anymore!