INTERVIEW: Jazzboy — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

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PHOTO CREDIT: Louise Desnos

Jazzboy

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MY last interview of the day...

is with Jazzboy. He has been telling me about his new E.P., Jesus Jazz, and its creation; what the music scene is like where he is in Paris; which artists and albums guide him – I ask whether there are any tour dates approaching.

Jazzboy tells me about some upcoming artists to check out and what advice he would offer musicians starting out; if he has plans for 2019 already and how he spends time away from music – he picks a pretty good song to end things on.

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Hi, Jazzboy. How are you? How has your week been?

I’m good, thanks. My week’s been kind of intense and full of surprises, but I’ve actually enjoyed it.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

My name is Jules and I write, record; produce and perform music as ‘Jazzboy’. I’m currently living in Paris, France.

Jesus Jazz is your latest E.P. What sort of themes inspired the E.P.?

Songs are about death, ego, drugs and falling asleep. This is the first time I’m summing it up and it’s sounding weird. Haha.

What was it like working on the music? Do you have a favourite song from the selection?

The process was very natural, as I’m producing everything myself. The only pressure I felt was my own and that was a nice thing to experience.

I don’t really have a favourite song: the E.P. as an entirety forms this kind of little monster that I love. It’s hard to choose just one piece of his whole body, you know?

What sort of music did you grow up around? Which artists inspired you to get into music?

I grew up around Nu-Metal, Post-Punk and Pop music, basically. Marilyn Manson, The Clash; Siouxie and the Banshees, Pavement; Deftones and David Bowie had a big influence on me as a teenager.

As a Parisian artist; can you reveal what the music scene is like in Paris right now? Has it changed a lot over the last few years?

I feel that the most interesting scene in Paris right now is the Electronic music scene. It takes a lot from the D.I.Y. and Punk ethos: throwing illegal parties in huge basements, playing very loud music and the rest of it...I’d love for the Pop music scene to move more in that kind of direction; to get more attracted to danger in a way, thereby becoming more risqué.

For example, I think that N.Y.C. has a great Pop/Experimental scene with a very free and crazy vibe (s/o to The Glove). Saying that; D.I.Y. parties in Paris have come a long way, which is good.

PHOTO CREDIT: Christopher Barraja

Do you already have plans for 2019?

I'm barely making any plans; just going with the flow I guess. I'm gonna go back to N.Y.C. in February to support the great Tredici Bacci at Mercury Lounge and will probably play in London, Paris and Berlin too.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?

I guess the very first time I tried to record music on a computer. I was messing around with samples and vocal effects; I didn't know what the hell I was doing but I loved it. Kind of the same feeling as when I first stepped on a skateboard – freedom!

PHOTO CREDIT: Louise Desnos

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

Always a very harsh question. I'll go with whatever comes to mind now…

Television - Marquee Moon

Instant crush when I was very young and into Punk music. It sounded so different, pure and beautiful but also very unapologetic. If ‘perfection’ is a thing, I think it comes very close to it…

Jeff Buckley - Grace

Totally hated it the first time I heard it and then I spent a whole month getting lost in all of the songs. I love how it's easy to hate it, but how it also has this magic that eventually gets to you.

Broadcast - Haha Sound

The most melancholic, divine; beautiful, weird and haunting album I’ve ever heard. It reminds me that music is something way bigger than the humans making it.

As Christmas is coming up; if you had to ask for one present what would it be?

A little donkey-back riding trip in the countryside with my girlfriend.

PHOTO CREDIT: Edouard Sagues

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

I'd love to support Mica Levi or Micachu and the Shapes. And I’d ask for fifty fresh kiwis with fifty bananas, all cut in small, round pieces in a big bowl.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Get as close as you can to your inner-self and try to love it.

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

I’m playing in Paris for one of my ‘Jazzodrome’ parties I run there on 23rd November. I'm also playing in N.Y.C. at Mercury Lounge on 14th February, supporting the great Tredici Bacci.