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| Jonsjooel. Photo by Jonne Heinonen |
Berlin-based Finnish artist, composer and multi-instrumentalist Jonsjooel has shared his latest track "Somewhere Else Than Here", a dreamy and soulful exploration of modern classical and contemporary alternative, from his upcoming EP, Voices of A First Day. No Transmission caught up with Jonsooel to find out more about his creative process.
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NT: Hello, Jonsjooel. Thanks a lot for taking the time to talk with us. Your latest single, “Somewhere Else Than Here,” feels both temporal and ethereal. Can you tell us more about how you conceptualized this “other dimension of life” that the song represents?
J: Hello, my pleasure. Thank you for your interest in my music. We have such limited senses as humans and even more so nowadays as our overall ability to focus is declining. Acknowledging this other dimension of life can sometimes be as simple as appreciating something or being more open to your feelings.
NT: You’ve mentioned that “Somewhere Else Than Here” is inspired by a search for something beyond the material world. How do you think music, especially in our modern, fast-paced society, can help listeners reconnect with that spiritual world?
J: Music has great power in affecting our minds and bodies. I believe music itself is a form of emotion and a catalytic power that can really transcend us into something otherwordly.
NT: The title of your upcoming EP, Voices of A First Day, is a nod to Robert Lawlor’s book on the wisdom of Australia’s aboriginal population. How did this book influence your approach to composing the EP?
J: Learning about the aboriginal world view has significantly affected my own view of this world. It is so sad how we, who consider ourselves civilized, have destroyed so many cultures and still continue doing it. This EP is my small effort in cherishing my own roots.
NT: You’ve trained as a jazz musician, but your music blends genres and elements in such an evocative way. How does your jazz background inform the way you experiment with sounds and structure in your compositions?
J: For me jazz is all about improvisation which I believe has given me a more open approach towards playing and composing. When composing I work hard not to let anything constrain me.
NT: Nature seems to play a significant role in your music, both sonically and thematically. What specific elements of the natural world do you feel most connected to when creating your music?
J: I love trees.
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| Jonsjooel. Photo by Jonne Heinonen |
NT: Your debut solo album Lullabies for Younger Self touched on deeply personal themes, particularly inspired by your late grandmother. How did transitioning from that album to Voices of A First Day affect your creative process?
J: When I release music it kind of leaves the nest and creates space for something new in my head. Of course there is a need to retune yourself within this transition but that’s only positive. So once again, I look very much forward to 1 November 2024 when the EP will be released.
NT: In “Goodbye Ah” and “Somewhere Else Than Here,” you explore fragility and a need for escape. Do you see these themes as a reflection of your personal life or more of a response to the world around you?
J: Maybe both. Since I was a little boy I’ve had this romantic idea of escaping into the woods far from human noise.
NT: Your music feels like it creates spaces for reflection and healing. What do you hope listeners will take away from Voices of A First Day?
J: Ah, if someone feels like that I have already achieved my purpose. I really do hope to bring something good into this world through music.
NT: You’re currently preparing for a tour with Erki Pärnoja. How does performing live influence the way you approach your compositions, and what excites you about collaborating with Erki on tour?
J: I’m really excited about going on tour with Erki Pärnoja this fall. Erki Pärnoja is an incredible composer and live performer. We are going to perform both my music and his which I belief will be quite special. My approach to performing really opened up when I realised that recorded music is only one frame to put your compositions in. A live situation is always full of possibilities to take the compositions somewhere different.
NT: As a multi-instrumentalist, do you tend to write music starting from a particular instrument, or do you let the concept of the song dictate which instruments will take the lead?
J: I have always made music with only those instruments that are physically available to me. So the instruments I get my hands on determine what the recording will sound like and how the song will turn out. For example when working with “Somewhere Else Than Here” I didn’t have the access to real drums so instead the little beat there is played with a glass bottle and chopsticks.
NT: What can fans expect from your live performances, and how do you envision translating the introspective qualities of your music to a live audience?
J: Yeah it’s going to be very exciting. It will be a musical journey through emotion and mystery. Hopefully I can take the audience with me.
NT: As someone who blends multiple genres and styles, where do you see your sound evolving next after Voices of A First Day?
J: It’s a mystery, like life!
"Voices Of A First Day" by Jonsjooel will be released on the 1st of November 2024 via Kieku Records.