| Interview with JJoy ( 30.10.2007 - 17:20 GMT UTC )
1. The first time people heard You was on 28th June 1997 at the Westin Reef Club and saw You rock 6000 dancers with an impressive 4 hours set blending electro, house, trance and techno. What was Your mind set during that whole period ?
JJoy: It was a great opportunity playing at a such big event which was organized by Time International and Planetcom, Planetcom are the same people behind the Berlin Loveparade so I had objective in my mind to deliver a great performance, I was very lucky to get this opportunity and so I made sure I delivered the goods as it was the key to my future and this gig definitely opened many doors for me locally and internationally.
2. How did You first get into electronic dance music ?
JJoy: I have always had a good passion for music since my youth, I used to like 80’s pop when I was 4 till 9, then I switched to heavy metal till I was 15 and actually played the bass guitar in a band for a couple of years, at the age of 15 I went to a rave with some mates and the interaction I saw between a dj and a crowd fascinated me, the music being played at this rave was Goa trance and I got to like the music very much and decided to put down my bass guitar and start djing, the fact that goa trance is also very powerful music made it easy for me to switch from heavy metal, as time progressed and I got into house, techno and trance and started playing a bit of each, I am the type of Dj who appreciates good music and loves listening to different styles, the way I see it the more music you listen to makes it easier for one to get new ideas in production and sets, nowadays I receive loads of promos from labels ranging from minimal, progressive, trance, techno, house and electro, I basically like giving people a journey in my sets and build them up using different elements but its always important to make sure I get that atmospheric, vibrant and electronic feel wherever I play.
3. What can people expect from you as an artist ?
JJoy: I have got a strong passion for electronic dance music and always make sure I deliver a good set, I always make sure the dance floor is moving and people are having a good time, most of them would be either at the club or event after a hard weeks of work or school, so it is very important to deliver a good set, the fact that I follow other styles besides trance makes it easier for me to adapt to a dance floor but it is always important that the dance floor is full of people that know how to enjoy good music.
4. How was the creative process like working with producers such as Jo Micali, Catania, and also vocalists such as Kirsty Hawkshaw, Jan Johnston,Andrea Britton, Marcie and Marcella Woods ?
JJoy: Jo Micali and Davide Catania are both signed to my label Real Muzik and so I see them in the studio everyday and basically share ideas and work a lot together in the studio, they are more into cutting edge trance whilst I tend to like using a lot of different elements in my productions so they can appeal to a wider generation, with the vocalists they are all like sisters to me and I have got a great connection with them, I always like to have them at my events as it give that live feel to the music whilst I Dj plus they are lovely women with great dedication to electronic dance music.
5. Speaking of Kirsty Hawkshaw and Jan Johnston, how is your experience been like working with them ?
JJoy: It is great they are both very talented women and the voice can be heard in some of the biggest tracks in the industry, it is a great honour to work with them and I have created a strong bond with them, same goes for Andrea Britton, Marcella Woods and Marcie for me they are like family and I love working with them as there is always a special connection.
6. Tell me more about the radio show You host called 'J Joy's Joyride' and how people can listen to it ?
JJoy: Joyride has been my radio show for the last 10 years, the basic concept is playing tracks that I receive and believe can become big tunes, however I also play tracks that I believe are well produced and deserve airplay, its important to support all artists if they are dedicated to this scene, its basically a 2 hour show, the first 30 min are dedicated to electro house, then I do an hour of trance and tech trance, and the last 30 min I dedicate to progressive house, trance and minimal, the show is on every Thursday from 22.30 till 00.30 on Malta’s top radio station 897Bay and can be listened to live either through my site or the 897Bay site www.bay.com.mt
7. How do You explain that several people confuse the British label name 'Real Muzik' with the Dj Tiesto`s label name 'Magik Muzik' ?
JJoy: I always liked the way Tiesto used the K and Z in his label and since when I got down to starting my own label there was already a label called Real Music in the States, I taught I should use the K and Z and call it Real Muzik, I also had the logo designed like a Football Team logo as it is a cool concept, I am currently getting the new Real Muzik site ready www.realmuzikrecordings.com and I am currently signing some new promos to release on the label, there is so many unsigned good tunes out there it is unbelievable so I do my best to sign up artists who I strongly believe have a good future.
8. What other artists are signed to Your label 'Real Muzik' besides Jo Micali, to whom we had an interview back in the days ?
JJoy: The main artists are Jo Micali, Davide Catania, Glenn Frantz and Pascal P, as said above I am always on the look out for good unsigned tunes so if there are any of you out there drop an email to label@realmuzikrecordings.com as I always like listening to good tunes, Real Muzik is dedicated to signing progressive, electro and tech trance whilst my other label Rype Recordings tends to focus on releasing electro house and minimal, the main artists for this label are the Gee Bros and Joy Junior, my aim is to get both labels a good name and promote quality artists locally and worldwide, its going to take a lot of hard work and dedication but I have a good team so I am sure we will make it.
9. Since we know already 2 of Your aliases, such as 'Fahrenheit' and also 'Joy Junior', are there any others aliases You sign records with ?
JJoy: Basically Fahrenheit is a project which includes Jo Micali and I, we did a couple of tracks about 2 years ago but I haven’t released them yet, I think I have managed to develop the sound I wanted during the past year and so has Jo Micali, so we will probably rework the tracks and release them on Real Muzik with some great new sounds, as for Joy Junior this is an electro house project of mine, the first EP is out on my other label Rype Recordings, my next track as Joy Junior will be called "You make me feel so good" and will have Andrea Britton doing the vocals, Andrea has also recorded a couple of other tracks with me under JJoy for my debut album.
10. What would You say is one of Your strong points as an artist ?
JJoy: Well I am very down to Earth and I have a good way with the crowd and make sure the dance floor is always showing a good and atmospheric vibe, it is important to give people that perfect blend, the scene will keep getting bigger as long as everyone adapts and appreciates good music, what I really hate is why some Djs have left there trance for example and are now playing other styles and giving trance a bad name since trance created a generation and one must have a lot of respect for this style, in fact you can hear a trancey melody in many other styles, I think it is best for one to mix ideas.
11. Tell me more about Your debut album coming on Your label Real Muzik by late December this year called 'Down To Earth'
JJoy: Well it is going to have a total of 9 tracks and will be released locally on my label Real Muzik but I will be signing it to a bigger label to get it across the globe, it won’t be ready by this December, probably I will release it sometime next year as I still have 4 tracks to finish but since the album has got a lot of different styles, vocalists etc I need to make sure the whole package is perfect before going ahead with the release, I am releasing the singles at the moment and are all getting positive and strong feedback.
12. You have been signed with the Coldharbour Recordings, a division of the famous Armada Group since a long time ago, but why has it taken this long to release Your studio album ?
JJoy: Coldharbour signed "Rush" by myself and Jan Johnston in fact they will be releasing the remixes for the track as I have kept original for my album, I have changed the original version twice as I said before I have developed my chosen sound during the last year and a half so I have had to re-do everything and so this has been the cause of delay on the album.
13. How do You comment one of Your statements, called "I´ve been given this special talent and its up to me to use my talent to help others in need" ?
J Joy: Well sometimes I play for charitable events for those in need, I guess when your given a talent it is important to use it in as many ways as possible, at the end of the day it makes you feel good knowing that you can help people at the same time doing what you love doing best.
14. What is Your personal TOP 10 at the moment ?
JJoy: Hmm so many good tracks but it must be the following:
1. Nenes & Pascal Felix - Platinum
2. Jan Johnston meets JJoy - Rush(Benya remix)
3. Reward - Ensure
4. JJoy & Kirsty Hawkshaw - Love is no possession (Insound remix)
5. JJoy - Urban jungle (Jo Micali remix)
6. Mojado & Sander van Doorn - Kaktus riff (Nick Callaghan’s bootleg mix)
7. CB - Love songs (Kyau & Albert remix)
8. Hybrid - Unfinished symphony (Deadmau5 remix)
9. Randy Boyer & Eric Tadila - Steamcell
10. Bissen - Quicksand
15. How would You describe the current state of Malta`s EDM scene ?
JJoy: At the moment its very strong I am doing events at different clubs and venues that range from 1500-4000 capacity and see myself doing a 4 or 6 hr set plus a guest international Live PA and all my residents, people are really getting to know there music, it is important that people are not mislead and stick to just one style, an open mind can make one enjoy a night out even better and that is what my events gather for and I am very happy with the result, also we are seeing a lot of guest international djs hitting out shores by my Booking Agent Fresh Music Management who looks after events that feature world class international djs, the scene is definitely moving ahead and I am very happy as years of hard work is showing good results.
16. Do you ever get worried that people may listen more to Your production, rather than Your lyrical content ?
JJoy: To be honest I get a lot of emails from fans asking me who questions about the lyrics and it makes me feel god that people actually go in to such depth when listening to tracks, I must obviously give full credit to the writers who are the vocalists and there voice is a great element for a great track.
17. Thanks for the interview JJoy, I appreciate that, anything else You might want to let the TraceSound.net members know or anyone reading this interview ?
JJoy: Thank you mate and all at Trancesound.net, tips for all your members as I said above have an open mind and listen to good music, always remember to feel proud of being trance lovers as it is a style that created a generation and is nowadays being used in many other styles, keep it real.
Interview made by Cosmin Lukacs aka Dj K8oard (TranceSound.net admin/founder)
Links:
JJoy official website
JJoy @ MySpace
Real Muzik official website
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