Joakim, one of the finest talents to hail from France is finally embarking on an Australian journey (in a matter of days). Classically trained, Joakim has also branched out and expressed love in other fields of music such as US&UK indie rock to jazz. He covers every angle and every part of the musical spectrum and I was lucky enough to get in touch with him…:
WAN: Firstly, how did your musical adventure begin?
JOAKIM: When I was 5 and my parents put me on a piano.
WAN: What artists were you heavily influenced by when you were growing up?
JOAKIM: Between the ages of 5 and 17: Bach, Prokoviev, Beethoven, Ravel. Then between the ages of 17 and 20: Pavement, Sonic Youth, the Pixies. And between 20 and nowadays, there’s been too many artists and records to choose one.
WAN: Your earlier work is basically at the other end of the spectrum. For example, jazz to indie-rock to hip-hop, which is different to your style today. Is this where your true passion lies?
JOAKIM: No, the music I make today is the closest to a definition of my musical self. My first album was more like an “exercice de style”.
WAN: When did you first discover and unleash your electronic inner-child?
JOAKIM: When I heard the first Warp records.
WAN: Can you shed some light on the type of equipment you deal with live and in the studio?
JOAKIM: Analog synths, vintage mixers, preamps & eqs, good AD/DA converters..
WAN: Why did you start up the live band aspect of your performance? This is with the Ectoplasmic Band, correct?
JOAKIM: Yes, actually they changed their name. Now they are THE DISCO. I started the live band because someone asked me if I would play at his festival, which was a really cool festival. So I had to do it..
WAN: We have seen this ‘Joakim & The Disco’ just pop up recently. Please tell us more about you and this so called “Disco”. So it is your next “live” band?
JOAKIM: Yes, but they are the same musicians, with a moustache.
WAN: Your Tigersushi label is one of the freshest independent record labels in France and around the world. How did this all begin?
JOAKIM: It started as a website in 2001/2002, then we wanted to do something in real life, so we decided to put out records and the label started like this in 2002. Making our own label was like a child dream.
WAN: How did you discover Poni Hoax, one of the talented signings on your label?
JOAKIM: They just sent a demo, which ended in our mail box, although it was sent to somebody else we shared our mailbox with. The demo was good, so I went to see them on a rehearsal and on a gig and decided to sign them very quickly.
WAN: Any cool new signings/releases that we can expect to see in the future??
JOAKIM: Yes, we just put out a vinyl with a great South African band called Desmond & The Tutus. We’ll also release a 12″ by a new French artist called DYE and most of all we will release Krikor’s first album ever in 2009 which is really exciting.
WAN: At the moment, what labels/artists are you really enjoying?
JOAKIM: At this moment I keep listening to Metronomy, especially ‘Heartbreaker’.
WAN: You are also known for killer remixes. “My Best Remixes”, a CD compilation of your best ones has just been released. How hard was it to pick your favourite remixes? And what one remix is your true favourite and why?
JOAKIM: It’s not really “my best remixes”, this title was more like a joke. I tried to select the remixes on the compilation so that you could listen to it at home and not only in a club as these remixes were originally done for the dancefloor. My personal favourite always changes; it’s usually the latest remix I’ve done, because I’m not bored with it already.. so today it would be a remix for Discodeine which I just finished.
WAN: Any artists/groups that you would particularly like to work with/remix?
JOAKIM: Grace Jones haha.
WAN: You embark on an Australian tour very soon. What are you looking forward to doing down here in Ausland? Have you been to Australia before?
JOAKIM: It’s my first time. I’ve heard the food is very good in Australia. Food is one of my main motivation in life, so that’s already something I’m looking forward.
WAN: You will be doing DJ sets down here, is that correct? What can we expect to hear?
JOAKIM: Don’t expect anything.
WAN: What is the most bizzare thing you have witnessed at a gig/night out?
JOAKIM: In Japan once, an old lady jumped on the shoulders of a guy and showed her tits to the crowd. I was told later that this lady was quite famous and that she always showed her tits when the party was good.
WAN: What’s planned for the future? Do you have any plans to release another album similar to ‘Monsters and Silly Songs’ in the future?
JOAKIM: Yes, I’m working on it at the moment.
WAN: And finally, Joakim, what’s your most lovable piece of clothing and why?
JOAKIM: It has to be my new Tigersushi Furs FTS001 t-shirt. And you can probably guess why.
For of you that are from Melbourne, you can catch Joakim at La Di Da, 21st Nov 10 pm (577 Little Bourke St Melb CBD). $20/15 on guest list. Supports are: Chestwig, Luke McD, A.D.D. and many many more.
For the rest of you Australians, here are the other dates:
Nov 14 Future Classic presents Joakim, Civic Hotel, Sydney Nov 15 Joakim, Bar Soma, Brisbane Nov 21 Joakim, La Di Da, Melbourne Nov 22 Joakim, Ocean Beach Hotel, Perth Nov 23 Joakim, Sugar, Adelaide
MP3: Joakim - Lonely Hearts (Loving Hands Remix)
MP3: Joakim - Teenage Kiss
MP3: Joakim - I Wish You Were Gone
MP3: Joakim - Drumtrax
MP3: DJ Mehdi - Pocket Piano (Joakim ‘Berger’ Remix)
MP3: Tiga - Pleasure from the Bass (Joakim Remix)
MP3: Late of the Pier - The Bears Are Coming (Joakim Dub)
MP3: Alter Ego - Why Not?! (Joakim Remix)
MP3: Cut Copy - Hearts on Fire (Joakim Remix)
MP3: Max Berlin - Elle et Moi (Joakim Remix)
MP3: Joakim & the Disco - A New Career in a New Town [David Bowie cover]
And finally my favourite Joakim remix (also signed on Tigersushi); this is pure bliss.
MP3: Principles of Geometry Starring Sébastien Tellier - A Mountain for President (Joakim Remix)
