FEATURED INTERVIEW: Jimi Tenor on Selenites, Selenites! — Creating with Community, Clarity, and Curiosity

By Kimberly Tatiana | Exposed Vocals

Finnish multi-instrumentalist and composer Jimi Tenor has never been one to follow a single path. With a career that stretches across electronic music, jazz, Afrobeat, and more, his body of work remains unpredictable, personal, and deeply human. His latest project, Selenites, Selenites!, marks the debut album from the Jimi Tenor Band, and it captures the feeling of a group that has played and grown together over time.

Set for release on November 18 via Bureau B, the album highlights a collaborative spirit rooted in both spontaneity and craft. We connected with Jimi to discuss how the record came together, the unique rehearsal process during lockdown, and what it means to finally release an album with his own live band.

Exposed Vocals: First off—congratulations on Selenites, Selenites! What does this debut from the Jimi Tenor Band represent to you at this point in your musical journey?

Jimi Tenor: Thank you. It was a great experience making an album with the same group I perform live with. In the past, I’ve often worked with session musicians or collaborators I met just before recording. This time, it felt more natural and consistent. I still get excited going into the studio. Even after all these years, it feels like a hobby in the best sense. I’ve also tried to maintain a balance—between studio work, live shows, and other interests that give my mind space to reset.

Exposed Vocals: You’ve worked with a wide range of artists. What made this current group from Helsinki the right team for this project?

Jimi Tenor: We’ve played many gigs together, so the chemistry was already there. Some of the material had been performed live multiple times, so by the time we got to the studio, we didn’t have to figure things out from scratch. It made for a relaxed and efficient process. When the people you work with feel like friends, recording can feel like a family gathering instead of a formal session.

Exposed Vocals: The a cappella kitchen rehearsals during the pandemic are such a striking detail. How did that shape the band dynamic?

Jimi Tenor: That period definitely brought us closer. At the start, we didn’t know each other that well, so singing together in such an exposed way felt risky. Without instruments or amplification, there’s nowhere to hide. But it worked. We’re all fairly strong singers and understand harmony, so we approached it professionally. That experience made me want to write even more vocal arrangements for future recordings.

Exposed Vocals: The album title, Selenites, Selenites!, has a unique tone. What’s behind it?

Jimi Tenor: I imagined us as “moon people”—a bit unusual, living slightly outside the usual frame of things. In my mind, the Selenites sing in harmony without instruments. Maybe they use something minimal, like a space harp. There’s a lyric that says they “radiate the spirit of Ra.” I picture them living under the surface of the moon, getting all their energy from sunlight.

Exposed Vocals: “Sunny Song” stands out with its warmth and simplicity. How did that track come together?

Jimi Tenor: I’ve always liked songs that people can sing along to. This one turned out more acoustic than I first planned, but that happened naturally. It probably started with the ascending chord pattern that appears at the end of each verse. I tend to write early in the morning, and I often don’t remember exactly how the ideas come together. That half-awake state helps me find a kind of natural flow.

Exposed Vocals: Florence Adooni appears again on “Shine All Night.” What made you want to bring her back for this album?

Jimi Tenor: I like her clear, straightforward style—no extra effects, just solid delivery. She was on tour in Germany and recorded her part during a day off. Max Weissenfeldt engineered the session. I actually asked her to re-record it because the first take felt a little too relaxed. I was looking for a more direct tone, and she nailed it the second time.

Exposed Vocals: Recording in Kiikala, surrounded by forests and home-cooked meals, sounds like a rare environment. What was that like?

Jimi Tenor: It was almost like a retreat. We recorded during the day, and in the evening Lauri’s parents cooked for us using ingredients from the forest—mushrooms, moose meat, whatever was around. It’s a great place because once you’re there, you’re completely focused. There are no distractions.

Exposed Vocals: You’d already performed many of these tracks live. Did that influence how they were recorded?

Jimi Tenor: Definitely. Most songs only took one or two takes. Usually, the second take was the one we kept. First takes are ideal, especially for long solos or improvisation, but sometimes it takes one pass to get into the right headspace. I don’t like repeating the same solo ideas over and over—it loses something. There’s a reason why the first take often feels the most real. It’s not just about luck; it’s about how the brain works under pressure.

Exposed Vocals: Your sound has always defied easy classification. How do you keep finding new directions creatively?

Jimi Tenor: Part of it is just staying curious. I have other interests besides music—cooking, exercise, social life. And I listen to a lot of music. Over the last couple of years, I’ve been especially into Brazilian records. That keeps me engaged and gives me ideas without feeling like I’m stuck in a loop.

Exposed Vocals: What’s next for the Jimi Tenor Band?

Jimi Tenor: We’ve got shows lined up for March and April, and we’re planning to play festivals in the summer. I’ve also been working on visual material—building a 16mm film scanner to make short animated loops for the album. We’ll see how far that goes. I’m also planning another art exhibition with prints I made using a fir tree branch. So there’s plenty happening.

Closing Thoughts

Selenites, Selenites! is an album that brings together long-time collaborators, a strong sense of place, and the freedom to experiment. It’s not trying to fit a mold. Instead, it reflects the trust and comfort of a group that knows each other well, paired with an artist who continues to explore his own creative limits.

Look for the album November 18 on Bureau B, and keep an eye out for upcoming tour dates and visuals from Jimi Tenor in 2026.

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For more information, visit: https://www.bureau-b.com/releases
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