The Los Angeles artist 3L3D3P makes high-energy electronic music that is equally suitable for hardcore techno raves or hardcore punk shows. Her newest album, General!, flexes her toolkit, jumping through styles without ever losing intensity. It’s simply another great entry into a contemporary digital hardcore canon that has rewritten the rules of the genre—file alongside LustSickPuppy and Machine Girl, among many others. We recently chatted with the artist (real name: Marina Thompson) about her new record and a whole lot more, everything from the magazine she created to her work with the band Puzzle to her formative memories witnessing live music in Los Angeles. Read the article, and listen to General!, below.

How would you describe the 3L3D3P sound to a stranger?

3L3D3P: I often describe 3L3D3P as aggressive experimental electronic with a punk spirit. This usually gets the best point across even if it doesn't necessarily capture the ever-movin’ sound.

There’s a lot of rave and jungle influences in your music. What is your relationship with those styles?

For me, those styles are used as a vessel to convey the pulsating energy I feel. At this time, not many other styles capture the way I vibrate. Needless to say I have always loved hard electronic music.

Tell us about the video for “OSTRASIZED.”

Day before taking off on my first US headline tour, I decided to shoot the “OSTRASIZED” music video. I was really inspired by K-pop videos as I lived in Koreatown, Los Angeles for a while. I wanted to really explore the darkness as I wrote the song when feeling rather dark and looking for a way back to the light.

You were born and raised in Los Angeles. Are there any scenes or musicians in the city that have influenced how you make and think about music?

There are so many. Growing up one bus away from Hollywood, I spent a majority of my life making way to shows to see every type of artist. I'd say a lot of my demeanor came from the hardcore scene. Not the techno one.

You used to play in the band Puzzle. How did that experience inform how you make music now? What did you learn from being in a band?

I played bass in Puzzle just for some live shows, however, I was in quite a few bands before that, playing keys, guitar, and bass. Rolling with Puzzle was fun and intimate and offered an outlet when I really needed to play with a band again. That time is definitely upon me again.

A while ago, you made a whole magazine. What was that process like? Why do you think print media is important?

Yes, over the course of a year or so I began collecting ideas, inspiration, photos and mutuals to curate a magazine that would encompass the body of 3L3D3P. I feel like the process was something I had been gearing up toward my entire life. It was so fulfilling to bring a physical, visual medium to life to express the idea of 3L3D3P. Printed media has a way of sticking with me and inspiring me. It's ritualistic; it can be hung up, or revisited, or scanned. It's so enthralling to touch the words, or touch the picture with your hands.

You also have some really sick merch. What is your favorite merch item?

Thank you!! I truly enjoy bringing 3L3D3P to life, even when it comes to merch, I ask myself what I would like and then I make it! My favorite might be the hair clips and the baby tees at this point because both are entirely customized and created from scratch, I just find them unique in the world of artist's merch.

What kind of music have you been listening to lately? How has that been inspiring your own creations?

As of today I have been stuck on Angolan Techno. The rhythms are so addicting and strong, they get my blood moving in a way that I am left attempting to regurgitate the feeling in my own interpretation.