In this interview feature, we get to know the most radicalist up and coming stars on the planet.       

This time we speak with German composer and producer JOSIN.

We were first introduced readers to JOSIN last year with her spell-binding single ‘Burning (For A New Start)’, a powerful, haunting and at times gritty portrayal of post-apocalyptic sarcasm and precise production. The song can also be found on the artist’s debut album In The Blank Space, which was released on January 25th this year. We can also count a fan of JOSIN’s as none other than worldwide neo-classical sensation Ólafur Arnalds who praised the multi-instrumentalist in a recent ‘Shout Out’ article. Arnalds said that “her voice sometimes reminds me of a female Thom Yorke - completely unique and emotive”. Naturally, we wanted to know more about JOSIN, the record, and the journey into making her enthralling electronic compositions.

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TMR: Here at TMR, we recently reviewed your single ‘Burning (For A New Start)’, a song which seems to stand on the brink of a conclusion and an introduction. What does this song mean for you?

I guess both: Endings and beginnings. I often have those moments where I question the way of our modern lives and the impact we have on this planet. In this song I wanted to draw a sarcastic picture of this conscious self-destruction. We know we are part of the bad, but (sometimes) too comfortable or not worried enough to make a change, just asking to make it "better in a next life”. Of course, not all is bad and even though the song seems to be pulling towards an ending of everything, I’m hoping that there will be a new start with and not without us.

TMR: You worked with Marc Neckermann on the video, filmed amongst the dramatic Norwegian landscape. How do these visuals relate to the song?

Showing how small we are and how majestic the rest is! How beautiful this wonder we are allowed to inhabit is. But also, how connected we are to it. In the last seconds of the video, lying at the edge of that amazing cliff we found randomly by just driving by, it could be an ending or a beginning. Either way it would be ok, because everything is connected.

TMR: ‘Burning (For A New Start)’ features on your debut album, In The Blank Space, which is an alluring, haunting and beautiful adventure into your sound. You must be pleased to have your first record out there?

Yes. Finally sharing it and having been able to do it with no compromises is a gift. It was a tough journey of many years also but nothing I would want to miss for my first full-length record. And also, just the fact of releasing it made me appreciate it in a new way. It's alive now because it's shared with others and that gives me lots of positive energy back.



TMR: The album’s title-track is a particular favourite of Ólafur Arnalds, who we interviewed for a ‘Shout Out’ piece, but for you why was this important to be the opening song?

Yes, that ‘Shout Out’ is such an honour as I’m loving Ólafur Arnalds' music so much. ‘In The Blank Space’ was the last track I wrote for the album and it just hit the right emotions for me to not only make it the opening track but also name the record after it. Like the album started as a blank space for me, the listener is invited into that space and to create an own one. The key message of this track is that the nothingness is full of everything. Everything you long for is out there, if you trust it. And the story behind the track was exactly such an experience: It was written at a time where I thought I couldn’t create anymore - kind of stuck, trying to push things and just nothing happened. Until I let go. Beside all that you’re also always most excited about your latest song - could be a reason for the opening too :)

TMR: Your journey to becoming a musician wasn’t a usual one as you pursued a potential career in medicine before making the switch to an artistic path. Was there a distinct moment when you made that dedication to music?

Not really a distinct moment but more a process. Realising that I couldn’t do both and trying to find out what I'll regret more took some time. Even though the path of music is very challenging, it's the thing that makes me feel alive the most. That's when I knew I made the right choice.

TMR: Both of your parents are opera singers, did their musical leanings into a more classical realm have an influence on your style?

I’m sure it has. But more in a subtle way, just by being exposed to so much classical music. I never learned music theory and my parents didn’t expect me to follow their path. It was more the opposite! I think I didn’t realize my unconscious musical formation until I started to work with classical instruments in my productions, somehow knowing what strings or horns do.



TMR: Of course, your music is primarily electronic, what drew you to electronic music?

I like that it's so rational. But in the right combination it's also what touches me most musically. I wanted to be way more electronic on the album, but somehow I stayed in between the two worlds.

TMR: You’re a self-taught producer as well, so when did you start learning? And what were your first tools?

It started with my first computer when I was 20. And Garageband. Oh there’s a hard drive with all those old, first projects! Later and still today Logic. And still learning - sometimes I wished somebody would’ve taught me how to do things “the right way”. I think I'm doing a lot of detours in my productions to get where I want to. But I guess everyone has their own style and in all those years I have found ways to translate what’s in my head into sounds.

TMR: Who are the producers your most admire? 

Recently it's Jon Hopkins. I love the way he textures the percussive parts and uses sounds to lead you through that maze.

TMR: Now that In The Blank Space has been released, what are your plans for this year? Perhaps some live performances?

There’s a tour coming up in October, also in the UK, and my plan for it is to develop my live set further. Finding (new) ways to perform my songs, maybe collaborate with other people and writing new songs. Yes, working on new music and finding the time for inspiration is something I’m looking forward to a lot.



In The Blank Space is out now via Dumont Dumont.

-Hannah Thacker