Joya Mooi Interview & Blossom Carefully EP Release
Amsterdam’s rising singer-songwriter Joya Mooi has unveiled her latest EP ‘Blossom Carefully’, out now, via Nine And A Half.
The six-track project - featuring collaborations with producers Sim Fane, Blazehoven and SIROJ - carries stories around freedom, identity and hope. It includes previously released singles ‘Good Girl’, ‘Bitter Parts’ and ‘Hold You Tight’, plus three stunning new tracks which continue to showcase Joya Mooi’s fusion of alternative R&B, neo-soul and hip-hop.
Wordplay Magazine sat down with Joya to chat about all things music.
WP: So, tell me where it all began what sparked your love for music?
JM: I think just growing up with music like my father plays the trumpet, my mum sings. So I mostly listened to jazz when I was very little, and eventually started playing saxophone and, yeah, I think that it was mostly my musical background, my family whilst growing up. What entered me to lyricism was, I really love listening to old Etta James, instrumental music from Alice Coltrane, so yeah jazz mostly.
WP: So you play the saxophone. Do you play any other instruments, and do you play any music towards making your own music at the moment or are you just focusing on singing?
JM: A little bit of both, I think. During lock down I started playing the guitar. Just to keep my own skills up and a little bit to develop new ones. I think mostly when I write I just start from one melody and then try to match it with some chords and after that I will go to the producer but yeah mainly it starts with me.
WP: I suppose the fact that you can play musical instruments as well, means that you have a bit more of a keener ear, so that when you're making the music you know exactly what you want it to sound like?
JM: Yeah, Like, I'm quite specific in what I want, but I'm also very happy if a producer really surprises me with something that I haven't really thought of.
WP: Can you tell me about some artists that influence you, and some artists that you'd like to work with in the future?
JM: Yeah, I listen to jazz but also to rock music, r&b, old soul. So, to pinpoint a few influences would be hard, because it's so layered. I really love SZA, Teebs, Alice Coltrane and Dorothy Ashby (the harpist). So yeah it's very mixed up with everything.
WP: It’s obvious that you like to take from lot’s of different kinds of music to make your sound, would you agree with this?
JM: Sort of, I mean, when I listen to Fleet Foxes, I don't really think that I'm inspired by it, but just music for me it's just really a safe place, a place where I can just absorb in any music of other people who are in the story. I just love listening to music and I don't think you can hear all the influences to my music, but I hope that the same feeling that I have with music, other people also get, like it is just a warm hug or that I'm portraying or telling stories that somebody's longing to hear, that's what I want from it.
WP: So, you've got your new single out at the moment and the new EP, Blossom Carefully is about to drop. We're really excited to hear properly. Can we expect a full album at some point?
JM: Yeah, who knows, it all depends on the world.
WP: So have you done some social distance concerts already? How did you find it from your perspective? Was it weird and did it go okay?
JM: Yeah, Yeah, I was actually quite surprised how nice it was just to connect with the people again and yeah I really felt it went well and I also got good comments from the audience that they really just loved to experience music, live music again. Oh, it's just great. I thought it would be scary but it was really nice like the organisation that handled everything were really nice and made it run very smoothly.
WP: How would you describe your sound?
JM: Yeah, that's a hard one. Unlike a lot of artists today, I don’t really think in genres, so for me it's not really important to label it in a section but if I have to say something it would be like new or neo trappy r&b with Soul. But the next project could be totally different.
WP: What would you say is your proudest moment today as an artist?
JM: I think it's a bit corny, but just creating what I want, like I'm in a position where I release a partnership with a label but I'm really, the owner I'm the master of my own music. So the main thing is that I just decide how my career is going, and that yeah, I'm the actual owner of the music I love to make. I think that's my greatest accomplishment, like the first project that I released, it was released through a distributor and I wasn't really happy so after that I made sure that I did everything independently. So, yeah, I'm still really proud of that.
WP: Do you have any advice for any of our readers who may be trying to play the game of music right now?
JM: Don't do it, hahaha.
WP: Hahaha, so many people say that.
JM: I think most artists of today are really stuck in what they want and how they want to get their music across or their Instagram page. My advice is just to be flexible, just go with the flow, don't think you have to be a certain type of artist or have a certain image to succeed because if you really believe in something or in your story, then it will probably work out, an audience can find you! Just stay a little bit true to yourself and not just post stuff because you think that's what other people are doing.
WP: Are there any other artists on your radar at the moment that you think that we should check out?
JM: Yeah, I really love Muzi, Space Captain, Nia Andrews and Nana Adjoa, but she's already big but maybe if people don't know her, check out her music.
WP: What do you like to do when you're not making music?
JM: I really like to cook, to rest and read, driving in a car. Just random things to take my mind off things. Finishing up the album was kind of stressful, especially with corona virus, so I had a hard time relaxing and sleeping, so basically anything that slows me down.
WP: And lastly, could you tell me three things that you cannot live without?
JM: Shea butter, I can’t live without some sort of instrument, and what's the third thing, ummm, warmth.
WP: I really appreciate you taking the time out to have a chat with me. It was lovely to have a talk with you, and I just wanted to say, I wish you the best of luck with the EP and with everything in the future as well. I'll catch you soon.
JM: Thank you.
Words - Ed Lindsay