Joel Forsberg
Talks About His Latest Release 'Neptunus' Life And Music In General
Hi Joel thanks for your beautiful release 'Neptunus'. So here are some questions we have for you...
Do you have a particular structure to the way you produce each track?
Not really, it usually just starts with some experiment or trying out an idea I have. And what it starts with rarely makes it to the end... I just need something to get it going and then I let it flow, trying to not analyse too much until I think it's time to finalise.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
I listen to all kinds of music but I guess some artists and bands that I liked in my teens are still with me, for example Radiohead, Depeche Mode, The Cure, former Swedish band Kent, and people like Aphex Twin, Four Tet and Dominik Eulberg – but I try to listen to as much as possible from different genres.
Who/what are some of your biggest influences outside of music?
I think I get influenced by a lot of things but I can't name anything specific...
Do you have a favourite piece of hardware, MIDI, plugin or other instrument?
What I use the most is probably Alchemy, it can be used for everything... My favourite instrument otherwise is the glockenspiel I think, and other bell-like instruments, or any FM synth to design them. I also like to record sounds that are almost inaudible and make them loud, for example ”zooming in” on a tiny stone that touches the ground.
Headphones or Speakers?
Mostly headphones during the production process but it's of course important to listen on speakers occasionally as well.
What are your favourite things to do outside of music?
Right now it's probably to play Call of Duty, haha!
What is your favourite destination that you’ve travelled to and do your travel destinations have an influence on your music?
It's hard to pick one, I like most places that I've been to in different ways but one city that I really enjoyed that surprised me a little was Tallinn. I was only there for a short while but it was beautiful and had a special atmosphere. I don't think travelling has an influence on my music in general but it can happen of course... I think going to Berlin the first time changed my perspective on music.
What are three places that you have always wanted to travel to but have yet to see?
Oh, there's too many... But three then: I'd like to drink whisky on Islay, eat food through Japan, and explore Norrköping.
What was the biggest challenge for you in 2020?
Not seeing family and friends so much, of course... Apart from that and all other misery, it was okay for me.
Is there much live music in Sweden at the moment? What is the situation like?
Not legally at least! Maybe some streaming events and there's been some other minor concerts. I think the max limit on any gathering now is set to eight persons, but I've heard of things happening in the forests...
What do you think the future holds for music and musicians/artists etc.. How do you foresee the future of electronic music, clubbing and live music in general from now onwards?
That's a hard question. I think we'll see more AI and other technology to aid production, it will probably be more tools available to for example generate music. Maybe more interactivity – music that is changing based on mood and activity. This can probably be applied to live settings as well... And the reaction to this with more acoustic and human-made music. I guess it will be more of everything.
The world of music Is constantly changing. Vinyl, Casettes, CDs, Napster, iTunes, Beatport and now streaming. Do you have any predictions as to what lies ahead in the way we pay for and listen to music?
Probably even more algorithms to select what we hear and then I guess even make the music. Most people don't know what they are listening to and don't buy music and I don't think that will change, except for in niche genres.
A secret talent of yours that hardly anyone know about?
I can't think of any talent, secret or not, haha!
Song that makes you cry?
Song that makes you smile?
Song that makes you dance like crazy?
Oba Erediauwa” by Sonny Okosun
One tip you would give someone who has just started producing!
Just have fun experimenting! Or, don't put too much weight into the production ”rules” you will see online.
Any final words?
Why not listen to my new track 'Neptunus'? I remember making it some years ago after seeing DJ Koze at Watergate, it's been through many shapes until landing in this way, but the piano and flute was there from the start.
Thanks for sharing!!!
Thank you!