Q&A with Joell
This week we caught up with artist Joell, former Resonate Live performer, and we got the latest on his upcoming EP, biggest inspirations and some words of wisdom for any other upcoming artists.
Joell’s ‘In2u’ is simple, floaty, and nostalgic. His relaxed soft vocal on top of dancey garage percussion with its hitting, upbeat piano, invites you to shut your eyes and get lost in his sound. Being the first release of 2022, it also announces his EP scheduled for June.
"IN2U is vibey energy. Effortless. It’s a little nostalgic, reminiscent of old school garage tracks I'd listen to on my phone at school. Something to lighten your mood wherever you are." - JOELL
How would you describe your sound to someone that hasn't heard you before?
Refreshing, modern and a little experimental. I listen to a lot of music, old and new, take what I can from different sounds that make me feel a type of way, add my own feels to it and create a vibe.
We’re just here for the vibes and to share them. I want people to feel something when they hear my music and get lost in the vibe with me.
IN2U has a bit of a house feel to it. It’s something we heard on your previous single 'No One'... is this a sound you're looking to keep exploring?
Not really, I think you got to try stuff to really know what is for you, in life and in music, that's how I found music to be my calling, I tried it and it turned out to be my most freeing outlet. I love to experiment with different sounds and this was really me exploring merging different genres, and incorporating new creative ways of working along with what I had learned so far to really find out what works best for me. I love all types of music but I think it's important to keep progressing and learning through experimenting and collaborating but also to be careful to not get stuck in one place. I am excited to keep developing 'my sound' and can't wait to get music out regularly.
Your pop up gig at Scot:Redesign in collaboration with Rejean Denim was great. What was your experience working with a live band?
Thank you, yeah it was fun. Aroma Glasgow are definitely ones to watch. It’s good to see something different and real instruments getting played, I'm a big fan, this is something I have been wanting to develop in my own sound so it was good to work with the live elements, I don’t do enough shows, working with Aroma was more of a freestyle thing, a bit of a test to myself really and it works. I have dreams of touring with my own live musicians, I think this adds such authenticity and feeling to a show, something that is really important to me when relaying things to an audience, I want fans to feel like they are right there with us as if they were in the room when the music was being created.
Tell us about the EP...
I’m just really glad to get it out and close the gap in releasing music, show what I have been exploring and allow the fans to vibe. On the EP you will see more of the merging sounds I was talking about, and a glimpse of where I want to take my sound next. I’m sitting on way too many ideas that I am buzzing to get working on. The EP is perfect for summer and can't wait for fans to vibe with me.
We recently seen you got a sync on Netflix...do you think this has made a impact for your music?
It’s really cool to see something go from a bedroom to a tv show and i'm proud of the people involved in the creation and getting the song to where it is. Exposure on a platform like netflix is huge and it feels great to be taken seriously, sync is such a good way of getting your music out to the world, but for me music is my therapy, everything else that comes with it is a bonus.
What advice can you give to any artists based in Scotland?
I’m just beginning to enjoy my own journey. It’s just getting started, we know where we want to go now. I used to want things but now it's all about the process and the self growth, time moves quickly. I see my team and surroundings get better and really believe in themselves. That’s inspiration. Keep the circle tight and build together. I want us to win together.
figure out what it is you actually want, try different things because it's not an easy road in this industry. There are easier ways to make money. There’s faster ways to get famous.
Learn business. Music is therapy.
Who is your favourite artist and why ?
I’ve got a few. Go watch the Kanye documentary, must see. Frank Ocean is definitely up there. It’s timeless, pure art. Never giving too much away. Oh & Travis Scott!
But let's face it, we’ll never see another Michael Jackson in our lifetime.
if your dreams came true, where would you be in five years?
we’ll find out in 5 years I guess, but hopefully surpassing those dreams, travelling the world with my music and being a role model for artists within my genres in Scotland, showing that it can be done. Lots more personal and industry growth, and sustainability within my craft and genres in Scotland.
Whats your take on hip-hop & adjacent genres in Scotland ?
I keep myself to myself but I feel young people don’t have access to the creative opportunities they need to thrive. I don’t think the music quality is quite there yet but that isn’t to lack of talent, and the same people are in positions of power for too long and aren't progressing with the music. Why’s someone like k4cie not got a slot on BBC Scotland Radio pushing young peoples' sounds? She and Peach Gla have been putting in the work on the ground for a long time, it is strange to me that she wouldn't be championed for positions like this long ago and I feel it has something to do with the structure of Scotland's music industry and position within the UK. Scotland needs equal representation.
Shoutout to Up2stndrd for everything they support artists on. Thank you for the opportunity Resonate, I appreciate the support! JOELL
“Working with new sounds, stretching my abilities, and pushing my comforts, it’s all about enhancing my artistry. Growing through creating and feeling, really knowing myself and my capabilities, to find that sweet spot, become the best version of myself as an artist, and bring the fans on the ride with me.” JOELL