Sence [Interview]

Hailing from Portugal, DJ/Producer Sense has been releasing his own brand of house music for the better part of a decade. In drawing inspiration from various house sub-genres including Afro, Deep, Organic and Tech, Sense has taken his borderless sound to Dear Deer, Dream Culture, Natura Viva and Sag & Tre, amongst others. Also an accomplished DJ, Sense runs his own DJ academy 'DJ School Lisboa', in which he teaches the craft from scratch, working with aspiring DJs on controller choices and gig opportunities post program completion as well. Coming off a successful year, one which saw impressive outings for Bunny Tiger and Cafe De Anatolia, Sence now opens his 2025 release schedule making his Musique de Lune debut with a three-track showcase 'Joesa'.

Progressive Astronaut caught up with Sence to learn more about his 'Joesa' EP, growing up in Portugal, DJing, his DJ school, future goals and much more. Enjoy!

Hi Sence, thanks for catching up with us today. How has the first half of 2025 been for you so far?

Hi! Happy to answer your questions. Creatively speaking, the first half of 2025 has been smoother and more productive than last year. I moved from Georgia to Portugal at the end of 2023, and I didn’t focus much on releasing music during that time. Now things have stabilized, and I’m back on track.

We’re now six months into 2025, what tracks which have come out so far this year have impressed you the most? (Not Your Own)

There have been a lot of interesting releases, so it’s tough to pick, but I’d say Newman (I Love) – On My Mind really stood out, as well as EP Peace Of Mind by Somelee. I also discovered Drowning by Saudade (IND) while exploring the Musique de Lune label, and it really caught my attention.

What about gigs, what’s been a standout gig for you so far this year and why?

I haven’t played any gigs yet this year—I’ve been sorting out things related to my move. But I did receive two invitations to play in Canada and the UK.

Is there a song or songs that you’ve never stopped listening to since childhood? And why has it stayed with you for so long?

Absolutely! I’ve always loved Kids with Guns by Gorillaz and Lilian by Depeche Mode—I’m a huge fan of both groups. Also Bombs by Faithless, that track still gives me chills. I discovered all of them around the age of 14, and they remind me of a really warm and carefree childhood. Believe it or not, when I played my first DJ set at 17, those tracks were in it—haha!

What was it like growing up in Portugal and how did you discover electronic music there?

To be honest, it wasn’t easy. There’s a lot of competition and so many talented artists. If you don’t make yourself visible, no one will notice you.

Were there artists, DJs or club nights in your country which inspired you early on?

Festivals and live concerts always inspired me more than club nights. I don’t really remember being influenced by local acts, but visiting artists like GusGus, Depeche Mode, Prodigy, and Tiësto had a big impact. Back then, I discovered new music mostly through MTV—so my taste wasn’t too niche!

You’ve released on a wide assortment of labels with variances in style and sound across the last decade, how would you say your sound has evolved over that time and where do you see it sitting currently?

I spent a long time figuring out my style, just like trends in electronic music kept shifting. Even though my releases may vary, I think there’s still a recognizable sound running through them. These days, I’m focused on developing within the organic house.

You’ve been running your own DJ school ‘DJ SCHOOL LISBOA’ for about a year now I think, tell us a bit about what you offer there and where people can get more information about your courses.

Yes! I opened my DJ school right after moving to Lisbon. I teach in a bar in the city center. You can find us on Instagram by searching DJ SCHOOL LISBOA by DJ SENCE. I’m also launching an online course soon with a full training program and guidance on how to grow both as a DJ and a music producer.

What experience have you used from your own DJ experiences to incorporate into the course curriculum?

This year marks 17 years behind the decks for me. These days, mixing tracks has become so accessible, it’s something even a monkey could do—haha! A lot of people want to learn how to DJ in just one day, and to be honest, that’s now quite possible. But I always teach my students to keep it simple at first—don’t try to be too experimental early on. Stick to basic techniques to avoid mistakes. Once you've got these basics down on automatic, you can start creating your own unique style.

You are also a barber and hairstylist in your spare time, I’m curious if there is some correlation between that craft and music production. Attention to detail and creativity would both be commonalities I think, how do you see it?

Oh definitely! I think there’s a connection—both involve creativity and attention to detail. It may not be super obvious at first, but my technique in haircutting is a bit different from the standard. That creativity comes later though—you need to master the basics first, just like in music.

For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you?

I once heard a psychologist say that every person imitates someone—that it’s natural and part of our programming. So even what we call “originality” is often just a blend of influences.

You have a new EP ‘Joesa’ out this week on Musique de Lune, tell us a bit about the release and what sort of vibe you were going for on the tracks?

The Joesa EP has three tracks with distinct moods. The title track, Joesa, has a kind of wild, free spirit to it. The other two—Shantai and Miracle—carry more emotional tension and sensitivity.

How much play has the tracks gotten in your sets and where do you generally program them?

They get played often, but not in every set. I like to keep things fresh and avoid repeating tracks too much. When I perform, I want to enjoy the music just as much as the audience, so I often play tracks I’ve only heard a few times before.

Is there any significance behind the title track? And if so please tell us the inspiration behind the production.

When I was looking for a name for the track, I came across an article about the Bihari brothers—four siblings who founded several music labels in Los Angeles and helped bring African-American music to jukeboxes. One of them used the alias “Joesa.” That stuck with me.

Let our readers inside your studio for a moment, what is your current setup and what studio tools are featured heavily in your recent productions and more specifically on your ‘Joesa’ EP?

For this EP I used a mix of virtual synths—Serum, Diva, Omnisphere—and analog gear like the Novation Bass Station 2 and the Oberheim TEO-5.

Tell us how these tracks ended up on Musique de Lune, was there a prior relationship you had with the label? And why was the label a good home for this collection of music?

I met one of the label owners at a party where Tim Green and Sébastien Léger were playing. I loved the vibe and music direction of Musique de Lune, and felt like my sound would be a good fit.

As mentioned you run a DJ school and are also active in Portugal’s nightlife, so please tell us how your work as a DJ has influenced your view of music, your way of listening to tracks and perhaps also, your work as a producer?

Once you understand how music is made, you start hearing more than just a beautiful composition—you start noticing all the small details that most listeners might miss. It completely changes how you experience music.

What is it about DJing, compared to producing your own music, that makes it interesting for you?

Both are exciting in their own way. DJing gives you the power to shape a musical mood based on the moment—day or night, club or beach, relaxed crowd or wild party. And with just one button, you can shift the entire vibe. That’s the magic of it.

How important is it for you to have gigs to be able to test your own unreleased music?

I try to test every new track I produce live. It’s the best way to know if it works.

Current Top five tracks in your sets?

If we’re talking organic house vibes, I’d highlight:
- Hermanez – Jagerfly
- Billion Watchers – Science Fiction (Aske Izan Takeoff Remix)
- SOULE CASE – Reflection (Somelee Vox Remix)
- Perry Farrell & Kind Heaven Orchestra – Mend (Tim Green Remix)
- Mike Griego & Paula Os – Headspace

How important would you say networking is in making it as an artist in 2025? And what role (if any) has it played in your own success?

Networking is definitely important, but only when it’s genuine. I believe in building relationships with people you truly enjoy working with and talking to. Networking just for the sake of success feels wrong to me.

If you could set up an event with a line-up of five artists of your choice, who would you book and what set times would you ascribe to the artists? (Do not include yourself)

I'd order artists from my current top 5 - I listed those tracks for a reason.

If you weren’t a DJ/producer, what do you think you’d be doing with your life?

Honestly, I dreamed of becoming a dentist. I still think about it sometimes and kind of regret not pursuing it—haha. I’m also drawn to professions like medicine or psychology.

What’s something people don’t know about you?

I’m notoriously late to meetings—it’s a real issue! My close friends know and accept it, they even make fun of me for it. But people who don’t know me very well sometimes take it the wrong way. Luckily in Portugal, it seems being late is pretty common—so I feel right at home here—haha.

What TV series have you been enjoying recently, and what are some of your all-time favorites?

It might surprise some people, but I really enjoyed The White Lotus.

What can we look forward to from you across the rest of 2025? Any releases or gigs you are looking forward to?

My next release is coming out on the Argentinian label Flug Lab, and I’m currently waiting to hear back from a couple more labels about upcoming EPs.

'Joesa' is available now via Musique de Lune: https://tinyurl.com/bde3ahcm