Friday 28th, April 2006
Joni Ljungqvist
Joni Ljungqvist, born in 1987 in the south part of Sweden, started making music at the age of 12. Founding out later that electronic dance music was his passion, he quickly got his hands on ReBirth and started making his own tracks. Doing this for five years and at the same time evolving as a musician, his music started to get noticed more and more around on the internet. But it wasn't until the summer of 2004, when Joni at he age of 16 made a collaboration with Norwegian DJ and producer Terje Bakke, he got his first deal. Markus Schulz picked up their tune, called 'Fanatic' for the Electronic Elements label, part of Armada. 'Fanatic' got released on the Coldharbour Selections 3 vinyl.Later on he's had success with both his JPL, Ljungqvist and LNQ aliases. 'LNQ - People I Used To Know' was caned by Tiësto and Armin. Tiësto liked it so much that he put it on his compilation 'In Search Of Sunrise 4'. The same tune also got featured on Pedro Del Mar and DJ Shah's 'Mellomania 4'. 'JPL - A Place Called Home' was also caned by famous DJ's like Armin van Buuren and Ferry Corsten. Ferry has put this piece on his compilation 'Passport: Kingdom Of The Netherlands'. The track 'Green Astronauts' by Joni's project 'A Boy Called Joni' is already featured on the 'In Trance We Trust 11' mixcompilation by Phynn and Tiësto himself has put it on the brand new 'In Search Of Sunrise 5' compilation as well.
Trance.nu: Your release ‘A Boy Called Joni - Green Astronauts’ is out now on Black Hole Recordings. The track was already on well know compilations such as ‘In Trance We Trust 11’ and it will be on Tiësto’s mixcompilation ‘In Search Of Sunrise 5’ as well. How are the reactions on this one?
Joni: I’ve got some good reactions so far. Both from DJ’s and also from fans of mine. I’ve heard that there was some talking about me ripping off Nathan Fake with a tune, but that was the only negative reaction that I’ve heard about it. So overall there are only good reactions on the track and it’s on a lot of compilations as well already, so I’m happy with that!
Trance.nu: How did you came up with ‘Green Astronauts’ as a title for this track?
Joni: That’s a kind of a weird story really, because when I first finished the track, I sent it to an American producer called Timo Mae. He really liked it and I was kind of discussing track titles with him. I really wanted to have a name with some color in it, to “paint it up”, so I came up with the color green and later I decided to name it ‘Green Astronauts’, because in my opinion that really sounded cool. So that’s the basic story behind it.
Trance.nu: Are there always stories behind your tracktitles? Like for example titles such as ‘Fastest Growing State’, ‘You Can Trade Me For Something Good’, ‘People I Used To Know’ and ‘Perhaps Another Time’. Can you tell us something more about that?
Joni: Yes, there are stories behind those titles. I usually have meanings with my tracknames, so basically they’re taken straight of my real life and it’s happenings. For example ‘People I Used To Know’ is a track which is a sort of a ‘hello, and goodbye’ to the people I used to hang out with. But I lost contact with them because of different reasons. That’s pretty much the story. I want to give some meanings to my tunes as well.
Trance.nu: How do you find inspiration when you start with a track?
Joni: Most of the time I’ll get inspired by real life experiences. Or sometimes I can get inspired by other tracks. If I hear a track that’s really amazing, I want to produce something myself as well, which can be inspired by the other song that I’ve just heard but with my sound.
Trance.nu: Are there moments you struggle with an inspiration gap sometimes?
Joni: Yeah, absolutely! There are a lot of moments when I really can’t produce anything. So it can be that, one week I have a lot of inspiration and then I can produce twenty four seven. But the other week it can be that I can’t produce anything at all, because I just can’t get it. So it’s really different. So sometimes I struggle a lot with getting inspiration indeed.
Trance.nu: When you have those moments, what are you doing then?
Joni: I usually listen to other tracks and then I really try to produce, but it usually ends up with me throwing the whole song away or something like that, because I really can’t get it. So usually I listen to other music and try to do something with my time, to get inspired again.
Trance.nu: When did you exactly started with producing music?
Joni: I think it was when I was 11 or 12 when I first got my keyboard in my basement room working. It really has been going from there. Then I started with different software programs. At that time I found out that electronic music was the thing that I wanted to do, so I’ve been going on that track until now.
Trance.nu: What was your first release ever?
Joni: That was in 2004 on the Armada label Electronic Elements. It was ‘Fanatic’, a track that I did together with Terje Bakke. That one was my first official release ever. I still love it!
Trance.nu: How old were you when that one was released?
Joni: That was at the age of 16.
Trance.nu: Now you’re only 18 years old and people like Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten and a lot of other famous DJ’s are playing your productions and remixes in their sets. How does that feel?
Joni: It’s like a dream come true! It’s unbelievable, really! I still can’t understand it sometimes. Last year I ended up on Tiësto’s ‘In Search Of Sunrise 4’ and this year for the 5th edition I did it again! It’s really an unbelievable experience getting played by the people you were inspired by, and that you thought weren’t even living on this earth! It’s so unbelievable and amazing at the same time!
Trance.nu: You have a lot of different projects. When and why did you decide to start producing under your own name instead of a project name?
Joni: I have so many aliases, so I think to get really personal, it has to have my own name. So it really feels like it’s me. And then of course I produce alot of different styles and different styles usually means different labels.
Trance.nu: You have 2 projects now with producer Terje Bakke: ‘Bakke & Joni’ (The track ‘Bali’) and ‘Bakke & Ljungqvist’ (‘Fanatic’). How did you get in contact with him?
Joni: I know Terje Bakke already for a while now. Just before the summer of 2004 I did send him a few clips of some Reason productions that I made. Terje was like “ooh, this is really cool” and “we’ve got to make something out of this!”. So we’ve talked a lot and we started to collaborate. The result of it was the ‘Fanatic’ track. So I’ve met him through the internet in 2003 or something.
Trance.nu: Terje is from Norway, isn’t it? How are you guys working together, since you’re from Sweden yourself?
Joni: He’s from Norway indeed, but I haven’t met him in real life so far. So we’re working together on our productions through the internet. It works out pretty smooth. Hopefully I’ll meet him in real life this summer.
Trance.nu: Can we expect a follow up from one of those projects in the near future?
Joni: We’re discussing some ideas, but were both really busy at the moment with our own solo projects and other stuff. But hopefully we can work on a third tune this summer together, which will be real fun!
Trance.nu: And any other new projects together with other people?
Joni: Yes, I’ve been collaborating with a lot of producers in the scene recently. One of them is ‘Serp’, who made the track ‘Second Day’ together with Jose Amnesia. And for the rest I’m discussing collaborations with people from the labels that I’m already on for now. For example Vincent Kriek is one of them. And I’m also busy working on a tune together with Thomas Bronzwaer now!
Trance.nu: You also did 1 or 2 MP3 only releases in the past. Was that an idea from the involved label, or yourself?
Joni: That was basically because of the label. Those tunes that were released as MP3 only, are a bit in a different style as what I usually do. So I talked to the labels and they said they could give me an MP3 only release. I was fine with that, because I just want to have that people can hear that I’m also doing other kinds of stuff too.
Trance.nu: I noticed on your ‘Myspace’ that you’re also doing a project called ‘3 Out Of 4 Dentists’. Can you tell us something more about that one?
Joni: Yes, it’s a project by me and my classmate Johan. Basically I’m really diverse into producing different types of music. I met Johan about 2 years a go and we found out that we both wanted to do something with music. We decided to team up and we recorded some things in my studio. Last year we were signed to an American label called ‘Greenhorn’ records. We are signed now to do an EP and an album as well. Also we’re currently working on a album for a release on a japanese label. The style we’re producing as ‘3 Out Of 4 Dentists’ is more pop and electro pop stuff and we’re both singing on the tracks as well!
Trance.nu: Is that EP released already?
Joni: No, it’s getting a release in 2 months I think. The EP will contain 5 new tracks done by us.
Trance.nu: We know you from projects like Dauntless, External Art, Illustrator, JPL, LNQ and some others. Are you still busy with all of those projects?
Joni: No, actually I’ve tried to keep only a few of the special projects for now. In the time I really produced a lot, I had a lot of different aliases as well. This was because not all the labels wanted to release all the tunes. But right now I’m focusing only on the JPL, Ljungqvist and LNQ projects. I don’t know about the other ones yet. I’ll guess we have to wait and see in the future.
Trance.nu: From which ones can we expect follow ups soon?
Joni: New tracks by JPL, Ljungqvist and LNQ are in the works now. And also a new ‘A Boy Called Joni’ track for Black Hole Recordings.
Trance.nu: Why do you have some many projects and aliases already? I mean, you’re only 18 years old now?
Joni: Haha, that’s true! Yeah, it’s because like I said, I produce twenty four seven so a lot of tracks come out of the studio. Those tracks I produce are also in a lot of different styles as well. I can’t release all those different styles on one label, so all labels mainly focus on just one style. So it’s really a matter of what style it is and the quantity of how many productions I have done. Only 1 label would never want to release all my tunes. I’m trying to narrow it down right now to a few projects only.
Trance.nu: We just talked about your ‘3 Out Of 4 Dentists’ project. So this will be also a project of you in a different style?
Joni: Yes, it’s very different. This is more of an old, vintage analog synths and guitars and even my own voice. I’m doing more of this stuff solo too.
Trance.nu: So you’re singing yourself as well?
Joni: Yes, I do! There will be an upcoming track were I’ll do the vocals myself as well, so … look out! Haha!
Trance.nu: Are there plans to produce other styles besides EDM?
Joni: Yeah, I’m trying to do a lot of different thing at the moment. I’ve also been producing some stuff for other people as well, which is more Indie type music. And recently I’ve also produced some other styles solo as well. Besides I play in a band, I really need to try different things because I love music too much to only be able to work in one direction.
Trance.nu: You just told us that you’re doing some vocals yourself. Do you have plans to work with other people who’re going to use your vocals on their tracks?
Joni: I’ve had discussions with other producers about doing vocals for them, but at the moment I really don’t know. But maybe in the future I can do some vocals for other producers as well. That would be real fun!
Trance.nu: And would you like to work yourself with other vocalists for your own tracks?
Joni: Yes, I’m always open for suggestions to collaborate with other vocalists and stuff, so who knows!
Trance.nu: You also did a few remixes yet. Can we expect some new ones in the near future?
Joni: Yes, I’ve did a lot of remixes like half a year a go. I’ve been trying to not to do too many remixes recently, but for now I have 2 remixes that I still need to do. I’m doing one remix for Vank, which is Dutchman Ron van Kroonenburg. He’s one of the people behind the Driftwood. He’s going to release a track on Intrenze Recordings. And I’ve also got to remix the new Antidote track ‘Come Alive’.
Trance.nu: What do you consider to be your best production or remix so far?
Joni: I still like the works that I’ve done with Bakke, but I’m also very proud on ‘LNQ - People I Used To Know’. And remix wise I probably would say one of the first remixes that I’ve ever did, ‘Kyamoto’, the track ‘Stealth. Just because I think it’s a tight remix and I’m still very satisfied with that one!
Trance.nu: What do you like more? Producing new tracks or remixing tracks of others?
Joni: I prefer producing, because when you’re remixing it’s not really that personal. And when you produce, you can really get into it and work exactly how you want it to be. Plus it feels more like it’s your thing, so I defenetly prefer producing.
Trance.nu: Are you DJ-ing as well?
Joni: Yes, I am. I’m playing in Poland in June and I think I’ll be playing in Scotland as well in July. I haven’t gotten that many gigs so far, because I only started DJ-ing about 1 year a go.
Trance.nu: You’re also having your own radioshow now, don’t you? Can you tell us something more about that one?
Joni: It’s called ’20 PM’ on Futuregrooves and I usually play a lot of exclusive stuff from myself, which comes straight out of the studio. And I always have a guest on as well. I’m always trying to get a guest that spins a little bit more various stuff like Terje Bakke, who already spun in my show. Next month my guest will be Özgür Can.
Trance.nu: So it’s a monthly radio show?
Joni: Yes, the last Saturday of each month, it’s been broadcasted on Futuregrooves.
Trance.nu: You are still a student. How can you combine school with producing music?
Joni: It’s my last year at school now. I’m very busy now, because there’s a lot of stuff like exams etcetera. But I try to keep balance between producing, my private life and school. It’s tuff sometimes, but it works out so far.
Trance.nu: You told me this is your last year at school. What are you going to do after your study?
Joni: I’m probably going to study in collage afterwards if it all goes well. But I’m definitely going to keep on producing and running the company that I have as well.
Trance.nu: Do you have your own studio? And what kind of equipment do you use?
Joni: Yes, I have my own studio. I’m having Roland E36, which is like a master keyboard. I use it for more acoustic sounds as well. For the rest I’m using a Korg synthesizer and also an old Roland MC-303. That’s mainly the hardware that I’m using, except for the mixer of course. VSTi instruments have really gone up in quality, so I’m using them a lot more then I did before. So basically I’m using mostly software now.
Trance.nu: This is maybe a stupid question, since you’re only 18 years old, but… What is the highlight in your career so far?
Joni: My first signing with the Armada label and also the moment when I heard that one of my tracks ended up on Tiësto’s ‘In Search Of Sunrise’ compilation. Those 2 moments were just great for me!
But it still gets me warm in my heart when people say they like my music and that it does something for them. I heard one guy who said he cried when he heard ‘Bali’!
Trance.nu: What kind of music do you listen to when you’re not producing?
Joni: I have a real open taste, so sometimes it’s electronic music, but other times it’s indie stuff like indie pop and indie rock. It doesn’t satisfy my needs if I just listen to one style, so I try to keep it diverse. ‘The Postal Service’, ‘Kings Of Convenience’ and ‘The Perishers’ are usually in my CD-player twice a week, at least.
Trance.nu: Do you have any hobbies besides producing?
Joni: Yes, playing football is something that I usually do and I also like to draw. So I’m making some drawings myself. And I also like to go out, haha!
Trance.nu: How do you see yourself in 10 years?
Joni: Hmmm, tuff question! I hope that I’m still producing and spinning records around the world. Hopefully I have my personal life established as well, a good home and being a lucky fellow, haha!
Trance.nu: What can we expect of you in the near future?
Joni: Probably more music and hopefully a lot of gigs as well. I’m thinking about starting up something bigger with my company, but I really don’t know in which direction yet, but you’ll see in the future!
Trance.nu: We also have 2 special questions, which were posted in the forum here. The first one: What happened at the Gothenburg train central 6 O'clock in the morning after some clubbing at Sub7?
Joni: Hahaha, well… we went out partying and we saw David West and Inkfish play, but I was kind of sleepy afterwards when we were at the trainstation there, so I fell asleep on the floor there, haha!
Trance.nu: What is the weirdest contract you have ever signed?
Joni: Oh, that’s also a nice story! Ruben owns the Intrenze label and we did a remix contract for a remix swap. The payment was a few Heineken beers, haha! So… that was kind of different, but it worked out good, haha!
Trance.nu: Thanks for your time and good luck in the future!
Joni: Thank you too and all the best to everyone in the future as well!
Written by:
dancemania
Joni Ljungqvist, born in 1987 in the south part of Sweden, started making music at the age of 12. Founding out later that electronic dance music was his passion, he quickly got his hands on ReBirth and started making his own tracks. Doing this for five years and at the same time evolving as a musician, his music started to get noticed more and more around on the internet. But it wasn't until the summer of 2004, when Joni at he age of 16 made a collaboration with Norwegian DJ and producer Terje Bakke, he got his first deal. Markus Schulz picked up their tune, called 'Fanatic' for the Electronic Elements label, part of Armada. 'Fanatic' got released on the Coldharbour Selections 3 vinyl.Later on he's had success with both his JPL, Ljungqvist and LNQ aliases. 'LNQ - People I Used To Know' was caned by Tiësto and Armin. Tiësto liked it so much that he put it on his compilation 'In Search Of Sunrise 4'. The same tune also got featured on Pedro Del Mar and DJ Shah's 'Mellomania 4'. 'JPL - A Place Called Home' was also caned by famous DJ's like Armin van Buuren and Ferry Corsten. Ferry has put this piece on his compilation 'Passport: Kingdom Of The Netherlands'. The track 'Green Astronauts' by Joni's project 'A Boy Called Joni' is already featured on the 'In Trance We Trust 11' mixcompilation by Phynn and Tiësto himself has put it on the brand new 'In Search Of Sunrise 5' compilation as well.
Trance.nu: Your release ‘A Boy Called Joni - Green Astronauts’ is out now on Black Hole Recordings. The track was already on well know compilations such as ‘In Trance We Trust 11’ and it will be on Tiësto’s mixcompilation ‘In Search Of Sunrise 5’ as well. How are the reactions on this one?
Joni: I’ve got some good reactions so far. Both from DJ’s and also from fans of mine. I’ve heard that there was some talking about me ripping off Nathan Fake with a tune, but that was the only negative reaction that I’ve heard about it. So overall there are only good reactions on the track and it’s on a lot of compilations as well already, so I’m happy with that!
Trance.nu: How did you came up with ‘Green Astronauts’ as a title for this track?
Joni: That’s a kind of a weird story really, because when I first finished the track, I sent it to an American producer called Timo Mae. He really liked it and I was kind of discussing track titles with him. I really wanted to have a name with some color in it, to “paint it up”, so I came up with the color green and later I decided to name it ‘Green Astronauts’, because in my opinion that really sounded cool. So that’s the basic story behind it.
Trance.nu: Are there always stories behind your tracktitles? Like for example titles such as ‘Fastest Growing State’, ‘You Can Trade Me For Something Good’, ‘People I Used To Know’ and ‘Perhaps Another Time’. Can you tell us something more about that?
Joni: Yes, there are stories behind those titles. I usually have meanings with my tracknames, so basically they’re taken straight of my real life and it’s happenings. For example ‘People I Used To Know’ is a track which is a sort of a ‘hello, and goodbye’ to the people I used to hang out with. But I lost contact with them because of different reasons. That’s pretty much the story. I want to give some meanings to my tunes as well.
Trance.nu: How do you find inspiration when you start with a track?
Joni: Most of the time I’ll get inspired by real life experiences. Or sometimes I can get inspired by other tracks. If I hear a track that’s really amazing, I want to produce something myself as well, which can be inspired by the other song that I’ve just heard but with my sound.
Trance.nu: Are there moments you struggle with an inspiration gap sometimes?
Joni: Yeah, absolutely! There are a lot of moments when I really can’t produce anything. So it can be that, one week I have a lot of inspiration and then I can produce twenty four seven. But the other week it can be that I can’t produce anything at all, because I just can’t get it. So it’s really different. So sometimes I struggle a lot with getting inspiration indeed.
Trance.nu: When you have those moments, what are you doing then?
Joni: I usually listen to other tracks and then I really try to produce, but it usually ends up with me throwing the whole song away or something like that, because I really can’t get it. So usually I listen to other music and try to do something with my time, to get inspired again.
Trance.nu: When did you exactly started with producing music?
Joni: I think it was when I was 11 or 12 when I first got my keyboard in my basement room working. It really has been going from there. Then I started with different software programs. At that time I found out that electronic music was the thing that I wanted to do, so I’ve been going on that track until now.
Trance.nu: What was your first release ever?
Joni: That was in 2004 on the Armada label Electronic Elements. It was ‘Fanatic’, a track that I did together with Terje Bakke. That one was my first official release ever. I still love it!
Trance.nu: How old were you when that one was released?
Joni: That was at the age of 16.
Trance.nu: Now you’re only 18 years old and people like Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten and a lot of other famous DJ’s are playing your productions and remixes in their sets. How does that feel?
Joni: It’s like a dream come true! It’s unbelievable, really! I still can’t understand it sometimes. Last year I ended up on Tiësto’s ‘In Search Of Sunrise 4’ and this year for the 5th edition I did it again! It’s really an unbelievable experience getting played by the people you were inspired by, and that you thought weren’t even living on this earth! It’s so unbelievable and amazing at the same time!
Trance.nu: You have a lot of different projects. When and why did you decide to start producing under your own name instead of a project name?
Joni: I have so many aliases, so I think to get really personal, it has to have my own name. So it really feels like it’s me. And then of course I produce alot of different styles and different styles usually means different labels.
Trance.nu: You have 2 projects now with producer Terje Bakke: ‘Bakke & Joni’ (The track ‘Bali’) and ‘Bakke & Ljungqvist’ (‘Fanatic’). How did you get in contact with him?
Joni: I know Terje Bakke already for a while now. Just before the summer of 2004 I did send him a few clips of some Reason productions that I made. Terje was like “ooh, this is really cool” and “we’ve got to make something out of this!”. So we’ve talked a lot and we started to collaborate. The result of it was the ‘Fanatic’ track. So I’ve met him through the internet in 2003 or something.
Trance.nu: Terje is from Norway, isn’t it? How are you guys working together, since you’re from Sweden yourself?
Joni: He’s from Norway indeed, but I haven’t met him in real life so far. So we’re working together on our productions through the internet. It works out pretty smooth. Hopefully I’ll meet him in real life this summer.
Trance.nu: Can we expect a follow up from one of those projects in the near future?
Joni: We’re discussing some ideas, but were both really busy at the moment with our own solo projects and other stuff. But hopefully we can work on a third tune this summer together, which will be real fun!
Trance.nu: And any other new projects together with other people?
Joni: Yes, I’ve been collaborating with a lot of producers in the scene recently. One of them is ‘Serp’, who made the track ‘Second Day’ together with Jose Amnesia. And for the rest I’m discussing collaborations with people from the labels that I’m already on for now. For example Vincent Kriek is one of them. And I’m also busy working on a tune together with Thomas Bronzwaer now!
Trance.nu: You also did 1 or 2 MP3 only releases in the past. Was that an idea from the involved label, or yourself?
Joni: That was basically because of the label. Those tunes that were released as MP3 only, are a bit in a different style as what I usually do. So I talked to the labels and they said they could give me an MP3 only release. I was fine with that, because I just want to have that people can hear that I’m also doing other kinds of stuff too.
Trance.nu: I noticed on your ‘Myspace’ that you’re also doing a project called ‘3 Out Of 4 Dentists’. Can you tell us something more about that one?
Joni: Yes, it’s a project by me and my classmate Johan. Basically I’m really diverse into producing different types of music. I met Johan about 2 years a go and we found out that we both wanted to do something with music. We decided to team up and we recorded some things in my studio. Last year we were signed to an American label called ‘Greenhorn’ records. We are signed now to do an EP and an album as well. Also we’re currently working on a album for a release on a japanese label. The style we’re producing as ‘3 Out Of 4 Dentists’ is more pop and electro pop stuff and we’re both singing on the tracks as well!
Trance.nu: Is that EP released already?
Joni: No, it’s getting a release in 2 months I think. The EP will contain 5 new tracks done by us.
Trance.nu: We know you from projects like Dauntless, External Art, Illustrator, JPL, LNQ and some others. Are you still busy with all of those projects?
Joni: No, actually I’ve tried to keep only a few of the special projects for now. In the time I really produced a lot, I had a lot of different aliases as well. This was because not all the labels wanted to release all the tunes. But right now I’m focusing only on the JPL, Ljungqvist and LNQ projects. I don’t know about the other ones yet. I’ll guess we have to wait and see in the future.
Trance.nu: From which ones can we expect follow ups soon?
Joni: New tracks by JPL, Ljungqvist and LNQ are in the works now. And also a new ‘A Boy Called Joni’ track for Black Hole Recordings.
Trance.nu: Why do you have some many projects and aliases already? I mean, you’re only 18 years old now?
Joni: Haha, that’s true! Yeah, it’s because like I said, I produce twenty four seven so a lot of tracks come out of the studio. Those tracks I produce are also in a lot of different styles as well. I can’t release all those different styles on one label, so all labels mainly focus on just one style. So it’s really a matter of what style it is and the quantity of how many productions I have done. Only 1 label would never want to release all my tunes. I’m trying to narrow it down right now to a few projects only.
Trance.nu: We just talked about your ‘3 Out Of 4 Dentists’ project. So this will be also a project of you in a different style?
Joni: Yes, it’s very different. This is more of an old, vintage analog synths and guitars and even my own voice. I’m doing more of this stuff solo too.
Trance.nu: So you’re singing yourself as well?
Joni: Yes, I do! There will be an upcoming track were I’ll do the vocals myself as well, so … look out! Haha!
Trance.nu: Are there plans to produce other styles besides EDM?
Joni: Yeah, I’m trying to do a lot of different thing at the moment. I’ve also been producing some stuff for other people as well, which is more Indie type music. And recently I’ve also produced some other styles solo as well. Besides I play in a band, I really need to try different things because I love music too much to only be able to work in one direction.
Trance.nu: You just told us that you’re doing some vocals yourself. Do you have plans to work with other people who’re going to use your vocals on their tracks?
Joni: I’ve had discussions with other producers about doing vocals for them, but at the moment I really don’t know. But maybe in the future I can do some vocals for other producers as well. That would be real fun!
Trance.nu: And would you like to work yourself with other vocalists for your own tracks?
Joni: Yes, I’m always open for suggestions to collaborate with other vocalists and stuff, so who knows!
Trance.nu: You also did a few remixes yet. Can we expect some new ones in the near future?
Joni: Yes, I’ve did a lot of remixes like half a year a go. I’ve been trying to not to do too many remixes recently, but for now I have 2 remixes that I still need to do. I’m doing one remix for Vank, which is Dutchman Ron van Kroonenburg. He’s one of the people behind the Driftwood. He’s going to release a track on Intrenze Recordings. And I’ve also got to remix the new Antidote track ‘Come Alive’.
Trance.nu: What do you consider to be your best production or remix so far?
Joni: I still like the works that I’ve done with Bakke, but I’m also very proud on ‘LNQ - People I Used To Know’. And remix wise I probably would say one of the first remixes that I’ve ever did, ‘Kyamoto’, the track ‘Stealth. Just because I think it’s a tight remix and I’m still very satisfied with that one!
Trance.nu: What do you like more? Producing new tracks or remixing tracks of others?
Joni: I prefer producing, because when you’re remixing it’s not really that personal. And when you produce, you can really get into it and work exactly how you want it to be. Plus it feels more like it’s your thing, so I defenetly prefer producing.
Trance.nu: Are you DJ-ing as well?
Joni: Yes, I am. I’m playing in Poland in June and I think I’ll be playing in Scotland as well in July. I haven’t gotten that many gigs so far, because I only started DJ-ing about 1 year a go.
Trance.nu: You’re also having your own radioshow now, don’t you? Can you tell us something more about that one?
Joni: It’s called ’20 PM’ on Futuregrooves and I usually play a lot of exclusive stuff from myself, which comes straight out of the studio. And I always have a guest on as well. I’m always trying to get a guest that spins a little bit more various stuff like Terje Bakke, who already spun in my show. Next month my guest will be Özgür Can.
Trance.nu: So it’s a monthly radio show?
Joni: Yes, the last Saturday of each month, it’s been broadcasted on Futuregrooves.
Trance.nu: You are still a student. How can you combine school with producing music?
Joni: It’s my last year at school now. I’m very busy now, because there’s a lot of stuff like exams etcetera. But I try to keep balance between producing, my private life and school. It’s tuff sometimes, but it works out so far.
Trance.nu: You told me this is your last year at school. What are you going to do after your study?
Joni: I’m probably going to study in collage afterwards if it all goes well. But I’m definitely going to keep on producing and running the company that I have as well.
Trance.nu: Do you have your own studio? And what kind of equipment do you use?
Joni: Yes, I have my own studio. I’m having Roland E36, which is like a master keyboard. I use it for more acoustic sounds as well. For the rest I’m using a Korg synthesizer and also an old Roland MC-303. That’s mainly the hardware that I’m using, except for the mixer of course. VSTi instruments have really gone up in quality, so I’m using them a lot more then I did before. So basically I’m using mostly software now.
Trance.nu: This is maybe a stupid question, since you’re only 18 years old, but… What is the highlight in your career so far?
Joni: My first signing with the Armada label and also the moment when I heard that one of my tracks ended up on Tiësto’s ‘In Search Of Sunrise’ compilation. Those 2 moments were just great for me!
But it still gets me warm in my heart when people say they like my music and that it does something for them. I heard one guy who said he cried when he heard ‘Bali’!
Trance.nu: What kind of music do you listen to when you’re not producing?
Joni: I have a real open taste, so sometimes it’s electronic music, but other times it’s indie stuff like indie pop and indie rock. It doesn’t satisfy my needs if I just listen to one style, so I try to keep it diverse. ‘The Postal Service’, ‘Kings Of Convenience’ and ‘The Perishers’ are usually in my CD-player twice a week, at least.
Trance.nu: Do you have any hobbies besides producing?
Joni: Yes, playing football is something that I usually do and I also like to draw. So I’m making some drawings myself. And I also like to go out, haha!
Trance.nu: How do you see yourself in 10 years?
Joni: Hmmm, tuff question! I hope that I’m still producing and spinning records around the world. Hopefully I have my personal life established as well, a good home and being a lucky fellow, haha!
Trance.nu: What can we expect of you in the near future?
Joni: Probably more music and hopefully a lot of gigs as well. I’m thinking about starting up something bigger with my company, but I really don’t know in which direction yet, but you’ll see in the future!
Trance.nu: We also have 2 special questions, which were posted in the forum here. The first one: What happened at the Gothenburg train central 6 O'clock in the morning after some clubbing at Sub7?
Joni: Hahaha, well… we went out partying and we saw David West and Inkfish play, but I was kind of sleepy afterwards when we were at the trainstation there, so I fell asleep on the floor there, haha!
Trance.nu: What is the weirdest contract you have ever signed?
Joni: Oh, that’s also a nice story! Ruben owns the Intrenze label and we did a remix contract for a remix swap. The payment was a few Heineken beers, haha! So… that was kind of different, but it worked out good, haha!
Trance.nu: Thanks for your time and good luck in the future!
Joni: Thank you too and all the best to everyone in the future as well!
Written by:
dancemania
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