Exclusive Interview with JOANS

Joans is an English R&B singer, composer, and record producer whose soulful and deep cadence innovates contemporary music. Born in Germany, he began his musical training at the age of six with piano instruction. After nearly a decade of classical education, he began producing his first beats and remixes. With EDM singles, he achieved his first YouTube breakthrough alongside major channels such as Magical Music. His VEVO debut occurred in 2018 when he partnered with the dutch rapper N’ YAEL on his first R&B hit. By performing before a large audience in Germany for the first time at the Niemandsland festival in Hannover, he reached a significant professional milestone. During this time, he relocated to Venice and shifted his musical direction. On several singles, he worked with his longtime friend and co-producer AleXan. Since the publication of Things I Want, a new style has emerged in his writing. Concentrating primarily on R&B/Pop, he continues with an inventive blend of English and Italian. His breakthrough in the industry occurred in 2021, when he partnered with rising singer Eddy Ape on his single Talk. Finding constant similarities in his own music and inspiration from artists such as RINI, Sylo, and ASTN, he continues to polish his skill.

“Brown Eyes” began as a dream about the girl who is on the other end of your phone call. Working for the first time with American platinum producer “Larue Made It,” I created one of the hottest and most personal songs of my career. “Brown Eyes” has already hit on several big Indie and R&B playlists on Spotify and serves as a precursor to the 2023 release of the Bedroom EP. Similar to RINI, ASTN, and Solo, the song’s cadence is smooth and deep, luring you in with its seductiveness. The song’s beautiful and soulful performance promises romance, passion, and love. Check out the song and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

JOANS: I was born in a small village in Germany. Since I was young I tried to escape the normality and found shelter in London when I was very young. I remember the day a good friend came over and brought a cracked version of FL Studio. Since then I’ve been falling deeper and deeper in love with music.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

JOANS: My parents sent me to private piano lessons since I was four years old. After years of classical music tutoring and performing I started making first beats and remixes on FL. Everything from producing to recording was improved with friends and YouTube of course. I could never imagine go to some university and do what I love just to impress some professor or to get a good grade.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘JOANS’?

JOANS: Thanks to an old girlfriend I was introduced to RINI which is the biggest influence in my music today. The first time I felt like I wanted to be on stage or in the recording studio was when I started listening to Drake. “Joans”, is an anagram of my birth name.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

JOANS: I love to play with emotions and memories. Real, beautiful and honest emotions inspire me to write and create. My songs are packed with a deep and soulful cadence in harmony with slow paced drums. Sometimes I like to go fast but I describe my sound as Bedroom Music. My voice and instrumentals want to make you get closer with your partner. That’s the intention behind my music.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as R&B?

JOANS:

I had many influences like RINI, Col3trane or Stormzy but I think what gave me the best push to develop my own sound was to work closely with incredible artists and producers. I’ve lived in Italy, the UK and in Asia and caught up so many different vibes from people and relationships that just gave me all the material I need for my creative process. Since I had a very musical past it felt fairly easy to develop more and more my own sound. But surely my environment, growing success and gaining experience helped a lot. Since I was introduced to other artists like Jackson Owens, 53 Thieves, Majid Jordan and JON VINYL, I sunk deeper and deeper into the Contemporary R&B and Indie scene.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

JOANS:

I’m not interested in dividing the world more than it already is by giving out my personal opinions and believes. My music is made solely to bring people together. I make Bedroom R&B and I’m deeply in love with the idea of influencing others to share beautiful memories by being in the background of their actions. When I’m working nothing but the art and emotion exists. There is no time for all the negativity in the world for me when I am trying to create something beautiful.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

JOANS:

Music is just one of my story arcs. I recently signed my first book deal but I wouldn’t be that creative and confident if it wouldn’t be for the music. Music gave me already more then I could ever think of a while ago, that doesn’t mean that I’m not hungry for way more. There is so much more to go for and I know my future will provide what I seed.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

JOANS:

I always have my notes app handy when I start getting productive. Recently I’ve been working with crazy producers like LarueMadeIt and AleXan. When they send me some draft ideas I freestyle and flow gibberish ideas over samples until I find a catchy idea. Sometimes at night my piano is my best friend when creating melodies and flow passages.

Currently I’m working with OCHÉ on my new song Stay With Me, which releases on Valentines day 23. When I’m not with my producers on a call, then Im going through my sample library and try to get inspiration there. Sometimes it can get tough but so far I try everything to keep a good track record.

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

JOANS: I actually don’t think I’m very gifted or talented. I guess I have a decent voice and a good understanding of music but I have a lot of doubts in my talent. Lucky for me I don’t value talent as much as I value hard work. Everything I accomplished today was through hard work and determination. I think the only thing that is the most difficult thing in my life and career is myself. I tend to get lazy and uninspired. But nothing I can not deal with in the end.

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

JOANS: Besides performing and getting heard by thousands of people? Honestly I would say one of my proudest moments was when my best friend came to me and told me he listens to my music while he.. well, while he is “in the bedroom”. I heard that quite a few times up on today and it makes me proud to be part of someones good memories.

11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?

JOANS: I have to be honest and say that I have too much confidence for haters. I value honest criticism and feedback but I don’t care the slightest what anyone thinks. Good thing about my art is that first and foremost I do it because I love it and it fulfils me with joy.

12. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?

JOANS: Production in the studio. I write in my favourite pub here in London but I also love to stream and get recognised by people. But eventually, I got to give the studio the first place here. Haven’t been playing too many gigs lately unfortunately.

13. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?

JOANS: I love when people tell me what their interpretation is. It makes me really happy seeing DM’s and people telling me what they think about when listening to my songs. I have my own truth and thought about each individual song I make and I leave it up to my listeners to find their own path with my music.