Conversations with Lucas Jensen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lucas Jensen

Hi Lucas, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up my life revolved around music. I played trumpet, trombone, french horn and mellophone throughout high-school, and wanted to be a music teacher like my Dad. After I graduated I started making and recording music with my friends, eventually landing an internship with Rick Carson of Make Believe Studios in Omaha, NE. The most valuable thing he told me was to “find a space, and fill it”. After being there for a year, I moved down to Kansas City and got a gig doing sound at The Tank Room thanks to a mutual friend, Britt Adair. Who sadly passed away in 2023. From there I worked a a club called Prohibition Hall for a while, then eventually getting some gigs at the Kansas City icon, Riot Room. Working there I met a ton of incredible people, one being Marty Bush, who helped set me up for my first touring LED tech gig with DragonForce. That led to me working Australian Rock band, Airbourne, as their North American lighting designer, leading to me now working with the top production company the region, Digital Sound Systems.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not, it’s been filled with a roller coaster of ups and downs. From the pandemic shutting the production world down when I had just gotten to a point where I felt like I was about to launch my career, to personal, self inflicted slow downs that took a long time to get back.
No matter the struggle though, I did my best to learn and grow from them.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I sling pixels and finesse photons!

AKA – A lighting and visual designer.
I program and design lighting systems, as well as create and run visuals for live concerts and events.

I think my specialty is spending an hour after the show stressing about how I hit a strobe half a second early. Other than that I’d say being able to solve problems. Live events can be incredibly stressful if something goes wrong with the rig, especially during show. I thrive in situations like that, they are the ultimate “tune out the world, nothing else matters” moments.

Events I’m most proud of are being the Lighting Designer for the NCAA D1 Wrestling tournament at TMobile Center in KC this year, Lighting Crew Chief at Kelce Jam a few months ago (shout out to my system tech Scenario and LD John, yall were amazing), running visuals for Impakt Festival in KC, and being lighting designer for Airbourne 2022 North America tour.

Shout out to –

Victoria, getting to work with you everyday we knock out and crush everything that gets thrown our way

Lance, we’ve been rocking for years and the Big Big Tings keep getting bigger

Jeremy, you give me the opportunity to do what I love every single day with coolest toys on the cutting edge

Mom and Dad, thank you for instilling a passion for in me for as long as I can remember. I love you both so much.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Relentless by Tim Grover
How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
GrandMA 2 User Manual
Avolites User Manual
Reddit
My Friends Phone (when they respond)

Pricing:

• Programming / Design – Affordable
• Advice/Help – Free
• Hog4 Programming – All the money x2

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/lazylucaslsf