Pop-Culturalist.com

Norwegian singer-songwriter jens burst onto the scene with his 2018 release, “Mixtape.” The song single-handedly transformed him into an international pop star, earning over ten million streams around the globe. Praised by publications like Billboard, jens is an artist who should be on everyone’s radar. We recently spoke with him about his career and brand-new single, “Nocturnal,” which is sure to keep you up all night.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
jens: I’ve always had a passion for music, but I didn’t start writing my own songs until I was around seventeen years old. I started writing because I had this urge to create and express myself.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
jens: My family. They helped me develop my love for music. In addition, I’ve had the honor of working with so many different writers and producers these past few years. That’s had a big impact on me being able to grow as an artist and as a songwriter.

PC: You’ve had tremendous success already in your career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
jens: It can be hard to judge your own success. I’m extremely grateful for all that has gone right these past few years. For me, I tend to look forward. I’m always trying to be the best version of myself for the future. That said, I remember the release of “Any Other Way.” It was a song that is really close to my heart, and seeing the response as it was featured on “New Music Friday” lists all over the world was really cool.

PC: Your single, “Mixtape,” has over ten million streams. What has that milestone meant to you? Has it added any pressure for future releases?
jens: To be honest, I’m grateful any time someone chooses to listen to my music. There are so many talented people out there releasing great music. For me to reach that milestone with my first single, it’s amazing. Of course, I feel a certain pressure to perform, but at the same time, I believe that if you get hung up on numbers, you can end up losing your motivation pretty quickly.

PC: Tell us about your new single, “Nocturnal.” What inspired the song?
jens: We wrote “Nocturnal” about two years ago. Along with “Mixtape,” it was probably one of the first songs I wrote after signing with my record label, but the song stayed shelved. ”Nocturnal” is a great track, but earlier I felt that it might be a bit too experimental to be released as a single. As I have grown over these last two years and as we started putting together an EP, I felt that “Nocturnal” deserved to see the light of day. The song is laid back and cool with an unexpected ending that I love. Straight up, I really don’t remember the thought process going into writing it, but I look at it as a song about carefree love.

PC: You’re also releasing a new EP later this fall. What can fans expect?
jens: I’m really stoked about the EP. There are a lot of really cool songs. It’s fun to experiment with different sounds and genres. The EP will clearly show that. I also hate it when artists say that they’re going to release an EP, and then it consists of all previously released songs with one new single. As well as previously released material, my EP will consist of two new songs.

PC: If you had to pick one song off of that EP that best encompasses you as an artist, what would it be and why?
jens: There’s this song that is going to be on the EP called “Johanna.” It is all about daydreaming and escaping within your own mind. That is the song on the EP that best describes me as a person. At the same time, I love the song for being simplistic with a singer-songwriter sound to it. It reminds me of the way I started writing songs—just me and a guitar in my bedroom.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
jens: People always find it a bit odd that I listen to metal and hardcore punk. So probably Deafheaven and Gallows.

PC: First album you bought?
jens: Come Around Sundown by Kings of Leon, which is still one of my favorite albums.

PC: First concert you attended?
jens: My brother took me to Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age. It’s still one of my favorite memories.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
jens: Many of Horror by Biffy Clyro. It is filled with so many beautiful melodies and weird lyrics. That album helped me through my teen years.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
jens:: Everyone says Wembley, so I won’t say that. I think I’ll say Madison Square Garden. That would be awesome.

PC: A must-have on the road?
jens: Coffee. No question about it.

To keep up with jens, follow him on Instagram and Spotify. Pick up or stream “Nocturnal” today.