New Brunswick's Troy Chenier has multiple personalities, but in a good way. He started making and recording music out of his bedroom in 1996 and his two ultra-creative alter egos recently collaborated on the album The Broken Boy of jeTprojecTlabs and T.LeChe. Chenier returns to the Wavelength stage for the second time (he hosted an event in June as DJ MiMiC) on August 1.

Your shows and website list jeTprojecTlabs and T.LeChe as separate performers, but they are both you. How does this work? In the music you'll hear distinct personas: T.LeChe '” guitars voice and jokes. jeTprojecTlabs '”laptops, blip trips, and blown up bits. I play as one or the other, or both at the same time... Depends how we are all feeling. To add more surprise, I also have other personas, and tend to create new ones on occasion.

Your sound has been described as 'œelectro-folk hip-hop.'? How did your music reach the point of sounding like this? Ya got me... To be honest all I can say for sure is that I gave up my notions of analog purism and my life changed, forever; no longer cut and certain a singer/songwriter... punk band member. I was now watching wave forms and thinking of the means to beat '˜em up and steal their lunch money (metaphorically speaking). This new obsession inspired me to totally let loose and that's what became of it.

Do you prefer your music not to be categorized into a genre? Why or why not? I don't see how you could... I mean you can go track for track... 'œTo Dedicate'? = jungle hip-hop... 'œBroken Boy'? = dark folk... 'œReign'? = electro-pop... and so on. My show, my album, is a genre mash-up. Is there a genre for it? I wish.

Describe some of the equipment you use when you're onstage. On stage I use a laptop and a guitar of some sort. Lately I've been throwing keyboards and (house) pianos into the board. I've on occasion had delays and such in the live mix. I hope to buy a right deadly synth that has that MIDI trick. Got a line?

I can tell you're from New Brunswick from the way you said 'œright'? in your last answer. I like to let my Nouveau Brunswickedness shine. Thanks for noticin'.

Why do you choose to accompany your music with other sounds and visuals? How do you think it adds to your performances? I used to do more of that than lately, theatrics etc. It's fun, another element. You're on a stage, right? You're gonna look like something, right? Might as well take control, do something with intent. Chris Lowe just did some dope prepared slides for my CD release party. We dressed in suits, had a stand-up bass player, horns, a bar and a bartender on stage. Looked great, felt great, had fun.

What is the best part of touring across this sprawling country? It's beautiful, open, mostly friendly and full of fresh water. That's four things, I should stop there, I guess...

What are some upcoming projects we can expect to see from jeTprojecTlabs? This album (The Broken Boy of jeTprojecTlabs and T.LeChe), it's done, I'm distributing it on foot, performing a lot on these mean streets, in the halls and your drinking holes. I'm also gonna have a yard sale to help fund my tours and maybe make a video or two. I should have another CD out before too long (it's written, just need some hook-ups).

In your opinion, should music be political? Whatever, it's up to the artist. Be fun, craft something, get a message out or just get yer head straight, relax. Use it to be sexy. Hell, whatever gets you up to doing it. Personally, my music ends up whatever it wants to be; as the inspiration hits. 'œReign'? is about being in love, getting stoned and humping under the sun (in prettier words), 'œKarma Freak'? is, on the other hand winding itself on tricked out politics, Gen Mod foods to the new war state, life, death and also the personal admission of my own part in it all. Then, of course, 'œWorm Battle'? is just goofy shit.

interview by ERIN LETSON