Infield with TENZIN
Rich in history, heritage and horses, there really is nothing like the Ipswich Cup. This is more than a horse race; it is the social day of the year for the greater Ipswich region, with the Cup attracting over 20,000 racegoers who converge on the Ipswich Turf Club to enjoy in the day’s entertainment at The Ipswich Cup Infield Festival. This year’s event will take place on: Saturday the 18th of June, with some of the best talent from across the country performing on the Main Stage, including Mashd n Kutcher, Moss, Kaitlyn. and Marquee’s first ever resident DJ, TENZIN. TENZIN is no stranger to big festivals or main stages having played Splendour In The Grass, Big Day Out, and the international Creamfields so it comes as no surprise he’s super keen to get back to the festival circuit now that the industry is getting back to regular events. We sat down to ask TENZIN about his festival preparation for the Infield Festival, the best and worst parts of festivals and how sick a collab with Mashd n Kutcher would be.
You have been announced as one of the Artists to perform at this year's Ipswich Cup Infield Festival, are you excited to be a part of this annual event which is quite a big deal especially on the racing calendar?
I’m super keen for this one, it’s been growing and growing every year and this one looks like it will be huge!
How do you prepare yourself for an event like the Ipswich Cup Infield Festival? Are there any special rules or regulations you must work around? especially given the rather large and jumpy animals in close proximity?
Firstly make sure my music is sorted, then secondly find a really good outfit. The organizer takes care of all special regulations.
What can we expect from your upcoming performance at ICIF?
You will get a super energetic performance and I plan on playing a couple of my new unreleased songs.
Apart from your own, which set are you most looking forward to seeing play at the Infield Festival?
The best part about festivals is you get to hang out backstage with all the other artists on the lineup.
If you could collaborate with any artist from the ICIF line-up, who would it be and why?
I would love to do a collab with Mashd n Kucther, both Adam and Matt are super talented musicians and I’m sure we would make something sick.
“I would love to do a collab with Mashd n Kucther, I’m sure we would make something sick”
What are the best and worst parts of being on a multi artist bill? Do egos ever get in the way?
The best part is you get to see a Bunch of other great artists perform in front of huge crowds. The worst part would be if you’re on too early, the vibe always gets better as the day goes on.
You have played at some of the most well known festivals, not only in Australia but also overseas, including Creamfields, Splendour In The Grass, Stereosonic and Big Day Out. Are these super-sized events a highlight of your career and something you look forward to participating in?
Yeah I have been lucky enough to perform at some of the biggest festivals, these vivid memories stay etched in your brain like they were yesterday. Festivals always give me that electric excited feeling.
Do you enjoy playing festivals and being a part of that festival scene and atmosphere?
Yeah it is a real privilege to be constantly playing festivals, nothing beats the atmosphere of thousands of people all going bonkers.
Do you find festivals present your music to new fans or people who haven’t heard you before?
100 percent, festivals are a great way of reaching new fans.
“nothing beats the atmosphere of thousands of people all going bonkers.”
In your career so far you have worked with a who's who of artists. Internationals, Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Snopp Dogg, locals Stafford Brothers, Bombs Away & Timmy Trumpet. Is there anyone still on your wish list that you would like to perform or collab with?
I would love to collaborate with Drake or Machine Gun Kelly and Travis Barker.
What's your go-to song to fill a dance floor quickly?
My record “Raven” always gets the dfloor full, it’s been a staple in my sets since I released it and I always get the crowd to sit down in the middle of it. It’s super fun to play out!
You were the first person to receive a residency at MARQUEE in Sydney. That is quite the heady honour especially given the doors that position has opened for artists over the years, do you take pride in being the trailblazer there? Will we see you return to a regular residency type gig in the future?
Super proud to be the first person they hired and to be given such a great responsibility. I don’t have any residency’s at present, it is so great to be back touring after COVID putting the world on hold a for a while.
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
Ben and Mitch, my agents work their butts off, they put in countless hours to make to things happen,
and everything runs seamlessly
What next for TENZIN? What can fans look forward to for the rest of the year?
I have been working on some great new music, so there will be something coming really soon. I also have a stacked calendar right now. I’m looking forward to many long nights and early morning trips to the airports.
IPSWICH CUP – SATURDAY 18TH JUNE, 2022
Tickets are On Sale Now! www.ipswichturfclub.com.au
Interview by Michelle Symes
May 2022