Interview: Mads Henning Jensen

In this interview, we dive into the world of Danish sound explorer Mads Henning Jensen, also known as Skidtmads and Ex Spiritist. Rooted in an intuitive and gear-driven process, Mads blurs the lines between ambient music and everyday soundscapes. From field recordings in the cold Danish woods to spontaneous sonic experiments, his work defies categorization. We talk about mental health, creative freedom, and the value of failure. Welcome to a conversation with an artist who finds music in the unnoticed.

General info

Artist Name: Mads Henning Jensen / Skidtmads / Ex Spiritist

Real Name: Mads Henning Jensen, 46

Location: Odense, Denmark

Social Media / Music Links

facebook.com/people/Thank-You-Tapes

thank-you-tapes.bandcamp.com

How long have you been making music?

I started playing drums at age 13, and have been making music more or less since.

Do you release music under a label or independently?

Label

Creative process and inspiration

What drew you to ambient music in the first place?

I never had that one moment that drew me to ambient as a genre. I have however always since childhood been very openminded and curious when it comes to music and sound, and this has led me to notice sounds and sonic ambiences that aren't necessarily inherently musical, and perceive that as music. It could be a washing machine during spin cycle, squeaking door hinges, the sound of rain, the almost-silence in a concert hall right before the music. I think it is that tendency to notice sounds around me, that has drawn me to ambient music.

Can you describe your creative process when starting a new track?

My process is very different from instance to instance, but a general thing for me is to NOT try too much and not think too much and not decide on what I want to create. I'm all about exploring and losing myself in the moment without having an imagined predefined outcome.

There are 3 factors that determines the outcome: the setting I'm in, the mental state that I'm in and off course the gear I have at hand. The rest is exploration and chance. This is also why I have ended up releasing my music under different names - Sometimes what comes out is just too different from what came out earlier.

Where do you find inspiration? Emotion, nature, science fiction, or something else?

Again - the setting I'm in, the mental state that I'm in and off course the gear I have at hand.

Setting: I often make music in nature on simple portable gear, and the surroundings I'm in definitely have a huge impact on the direction the "session" will take, and what will come out in the end. Sometimes very directly because I end up building the music around the sounds of the surroundings, and sometimes less directly by affecting my mood. An example of the latter is my album "Nekrose i vore hjerter" under my noise/dark ambient moniker Ex Spiritist, which were recorded outside at night during three cold december days in Denmark. December is a very dark month here, and the cold and darkness definitely was what made those late-night recording sessions take the direction they did.

Gear: Because I mostly create my music without having a set goal, the gear I have at hand of course means a lot for the outcome. It offers opportunities but it also sets limitations, which can both give inspiration.

Mental state: It's no secret that the main reason why I make music is the therapeutic value it has for me. Depression and anxiety has been part of my life for many years, and I used to be a heavy alcoholic for 12 years. When letting go and letting myself immerse in music, I ease up tension within me. At the same time the tension within me affects the music I make.

How would you describe your sonic identity or the mood you aim to create?

I wouldn't. It's an ever shifting thing, and I try to have as few concrete aims as posible. Of course it is all conscious choises, but they are made in the spur of the moment, rather than being made beforehand to set a direction.

Are there any artists that deeply influenced your style?

I think it is inevitable to be influenced by other music, but it is rarely on a very conscious level for me. However when listening back to some of the stuff I have made, I can sometimes see similarities to other peoples work. A name that comes to mind is Paavoharju, and being a big Paavoharju fan, it isn't surprising. I also remember listening back to some recordings I made, thinking they could be outtakes from Eberhard Schoener´s Bali Agúng.

Gear and setup

Are you using hardware, software, or a hybrid setup?

I'm using anything that can make sound really, and have a rather large collection of equipment that I use. Lots of weird experimental electronic instruments, some of which I've made myself. Lots of traditional acoustic instruments ranging from zithers, different percussion instruments, glockenspiel, an old accordion, flutes, a piano etc.

Lots of non musical objects that make interesting sounds. And of course lots of different stuff that doesn't make sound but capture sound or affect sound. I rarely use a computer/DAW for anything else than slight touch-ups and mastering.

What’s your favorite piece of gear or plugin, and why?

I never leave my house without some sort of recording device, either my Zoom H2N, my Sony TCM-200 or another portable tape recorder. Field recording on the go is a big thing of what I do, so recording devices are important. Another big favorite is the Meng Qi "Wingie 2", which is a portable electronic stereo resonator with onboard microphones. It is super versatile and can be used in sooo many ways. 2 other things that are important for me, but maybe doesn't count as gear are tape loops and contact microphones.

Challenges

What’s been the biggest challenge so far in creating ambient music?

I don't really experience any challenges other than technical challenges and money issues. When having a very explorative approach without worrying about specific directions, any- and everything counts. Failure too.

How do you stay motivated or inspired when you're in a creative rut?

If I'm not motivated, I just don't do it. It's not a chore, and you don't have to. If I'm experiencing creative ruts, it is because I have started to worry too much about the end result, and forgotten that it is all about having fun. I then remind myself, that the important thing is creating and not what comes out in the end.