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Getting to Know…Exxasens: Interview No. 435 [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Exxasens]In the 435th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from Barcelona-based instrumental post-rock band, Exxasens.

“We’re Exxasens, an instrumental post-rock band, but we don’t see ourselves as limited to one genre..” Rock on! The band expounds, “Our music blends space rock, progressive, and post-metal influences to create a sound that’s intense, cinematic, and full of energy.” Awesome! We get the inside scoop on the instrumental post-rock band’s genesis, goals, musical influences, and current and future musical endeavors. “From the beginning, we wanted to create music that resonated deeply and left a lasting impact.”  Word. So, without further ado, let’s jump into Getting to Know… Exxasens: Interview No. 435!


For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes Exxasens distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

We’re EXXASENS, an instrumental post-rock band, but we don’t see ourselves as limited to one genre. Our music blends space rock, progressive, and post-metal influences to create a sound that’s intense, cinematic, and full of energy. We aim to create an atmosphere where listeners can lose themselves, whether they’re closing their eyes and drifting through an emotional journey or headbanging to powerful riffs. Live, we bring that full force to the stage, pairing intense visuals with our music to make every performance an immersive experience.


ExxasensOkay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Exxasens form, and what were some of your goals or visions early?

EXXASENS started as a solo project by our guitarist, Jordi Ruiz, back in 2007. Originally, it was just an outlet to experiment with atmospheric sounds and cosmic themes. As more musicians joined, the project evolved into a full band, and with that shift came a bigger vision—to bring this universe of sound to live audiences and take them on a journey through space, emotion, and energy. From the beginning, we wanted to create music that resonated deeply and left a lasting impact.


Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

Our original goal was simple: to make music that was meaningful to us and our listeners. Over time, as we’ve grown, we’re more focused on creating a powerful live experience and reaching wider audiences. We’d love to play larger festivals, collaborate with other artists, and explore new musical landscapes. But our main goal remains the same—to keep making music that feels true to us and keeps challenging us creatively.


ExxasensEverybody is influenced by somebody else. Whom would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

Bands like Pink Floyd, Mogwai, and Explosions in the Sky have shaped our sound in different ways. Pink Floyd’s ability to create a deep atmosphere and tell a story without words has been huge for us. Mogwai’s raw power and dynamics resonate in our more intense parts, while Explosions in the Sky inspired our love for building layered, emotional soundscapes. We’re also influenced by movie scores and electronic music, as they bring in unique textures and moods.


Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

The craziest thing happened during one of our tours in Russia. It was Jose’s birthday—he was our guitarist at the time—and suddenly, right in the middle of a song, everything stopped. Our host walked on stage with an enormous cake, and the 500 people in the audience started singing “Happy Birthday” in Russian! It was such a surreal and energetic moment, something that neither Jose nor the rest of us will ever forget.


To this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

“Saturn” is definitely one of our favorites to perform live. The song has this huge, anthemic energy that builds and explodes. It feels like a journey within itself, and every time we play it, it’s like we’re inviting the audience to travel with us to another world. There’s something incredibly powerful and cathartic about those moments both for us and the fans.

This song uniquely came to life during the recording sessions. Ori, our drummer at the time, played the entire track without knowing anything about the melodic structure. His part became the foundation for the entire song. Meanwhile, Miki was the one who wrote and sang the lyrics, giving it a deeply personal and meaningful touch. Together, all of these elements turned “Saturn” into something truly special.


ExxasensIs there anything else awesome, cool, or left-of-center we should know about Exxasens? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

We’re a bunch of sci-fi geeks! The cosmic themes in our music aren’t just for show—we’re genuinely fascinated by space, science fiction, and anything that explores the unknown. We’re also big fans of video games, and a lot of us find inspiration from game soundtracks. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll score a video game ourselves!


What is Exxasens currently working on or promoting that you can share? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

Our new album, INFINITUM, was released on 8th November! It’s a bit of a shift for us in terms of sound—still very much EXXASENS but exploring some new territories both musically and thematically. We’re also planning a European tour next year and hoping to play some festivals, so stay tuned for dates! This new chapter is really exciting for us, and we can’t wait to share it with everyone.


Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward.   

Thanks for having us! We appreciate the support and can’t wait to keep sharing our journey with all of you.

signing off


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Getting to Know…Exxasens: Interview No. 435 [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Exxasens]

 


the musical hype

the musical hype (Brent Faulkner) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.