JOIISOL is a semi-new UK Artist in the scene, born in Tooting, Surrey. A singer, songwriter, producer, pianist, and visual creator, she brings to light & sound in her music ethereal colors, with both modern and nostalgic tones & textures. Creating soothing but edgy flavors in her writing, she is influenced by the likes of Amy Winehouse, Erykah Badu, Brandy, and J Dilla.

JOII had always found comfort in music, and from the age of 16 decided to take music seriously, writing & recording her own songs, slowly but surely evolving into the Artist she is now, one that isn't confined.

"Once you discover life is not just linear, you set yourself free."

From 2020 after a revelation, she decided to wipe the canvas and re-introduce herself with the title "JOIISOL". (Joy being her first name, and "Sol" latin for "the Sun".)

Since her new chapter in 2020, she has since released a single "No Fool (A Conversation)', hitting a thousand streams on Spotify in a week and getting a show of support from LinkUpTV, and others in industries of the Arts. When writing "No Fool", she says it was a rant that turned into a song.

JOIISOL has been writing music ranging in contemporary RnB, Neo-Soul, Hip Hop, Garage, House and Electronic Jazz. With all these types of music, her principle still remains. There are 0 boundaries. So as a new Artist in the game, we look forward to hearing the exciting future projects and collaborations she has in store for us. 

In her words "I'm just here for the Art."

How did you get your Artist name?

It is a combination of my actual name (Joy) but the "II" has more of a deeper meaning - having an affinity to the number 11 (my karmic number in numerology), and the "II" is also a reflection of the second self. The polar or "alter ego" is moreso represented in the "SOL" part of my name (SOL meaning the Sun but, in astrology, actually having more of a fascination/magnetism to the moon.) The concept of polarity is something I like to talk about in conversations, and highlight in my music, creatively.

How did you get into creating?

So I first was introduced to music through my dad, who used to religiously collect stacks of sounds systems and various microphones when I was around the age of 3. He would record Tamil songs into cassettes and occasionally make me sing with him. I also (involuntarily - thank you mum!) took keyboard lessons around the age of 9, so I was really introduced to the creative side of music that way and began learning chords by ear at home on my chunky Casio keyboard (which I actually still have to this day, in great working condition, and even sometimes use it to record songs on. He's great.) Later on in life, I wrote my first song for a class assignment at school when I was 16. I then was highly encouraged by my music teacher to record the song at a professional studio, and from then on proceeded to write and produce my own songs and later worked on a music project.

How has creating changed your life?

It has changed and is continuing to have an impact on my life in a more personal and spiritual way, as it does with a lot of Artists. For me, it helps alleviate and re-channel away from anxious episodes or other mental struggles I may be facing, or help me make sense of current life happenings. It's like the friend that's always got your back, and sometimes it helps to hear it from another source - to understand your own emotions. I have always used music as an instrument, no pun intended, to transcend that low (or high) energy into creating, which has now become a regular meditation tool for me.

Where are you from?

I'm from Tooting, Surrey, UK. Sort of the outskirts of London.

How did growing up in your neighborhood/city affect you?

It affected me in a positive cultural sense, being that I was in a town surrounded by multiple nationalities. It's a beautiful thing being brought up in such a diverse town, and it made me appreciate the beauty and Art of various cultures, cultures different to my own, and there being a silent but strong unity between people of multiple ethnicities. It definitely gave me a sense of appreciation, hope, and curiosity to learn more.

What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?

I took keyboard lessons around the age of 9, but didn't end up finishing the course, unfortunately, which is sad now as I don't know how to read music and strongly feel it would have helped greatly when it comes to writing and understanding music better. But I'm definitely blessed I had the opportunity to learn the basic fundamentals of chords, notes, and melody which has helped me profusely as an Artist. I also took singing lessons in my early 20s, which helped tremendously with vocal control and just understanding the science behind singing.

What does your current setup look like?

Currently, I'm set up in a small box bedroom. I use a Macbook with Logic Pro X that I use to create with, a mini midi keyboard, two condenser mics, and the newest member of the family, my Nord keyboard.

Who inspires you? Why do they inspire you?

I'm inspired by so many Artists, musical and other, but a few of the main ones I find deeply inspiring, is Amy Winehouse, Erykah Badu, Brandy, D'Angelo, and J Dilla. I'm drawn to earthy tones. I'm a synesthetic listener so I'm drawn to colors, tones, and textures. Erykah and D'angelo and J Dilla specifically create music with earthy, nostalgic textures and two-tone colors within the chords, spaces, and melodies, and I enjoy that so much in music. Brandy, is just Brandy. The riff Queen. She has such a powerful yet delicate tone, and her riffs and melody are so creative and hypnotic - it's insane. The beautiful Amy Winehouse. Amongst the power in her voice, beyond-her-years jazzy riffs and incredible lyrical gift, I feel as though I relate to her on a more personal level, being that she seemed as though she "wasn't in it" for the glitz and glam - she plain and simply just loved music. As though she made music as a vessel to get through her life, and was completely and unapologetically bold, yet vulnerable in her lyrics, which I have so much adoration for. Rest in Peace, Queen.

What is your goal when you create?

I rarely have a goal when I create. If I'm producing or writing, I'll usually go in blindly with no goal or destination. Saying that I most of the time want to see where music will take me, and also listen to my deeper self, in an attempt to unbrick hidden or obvious emotions. If I'm writing for someone else, however, I'll have particular an Artist in mind, and try to create some melodies or a hook I think they would sound amazing singing, for either a song of theirs or a project of mine.

Why do you create?

I create to understand, to exhale, to tune out of the world, and also to self-motivate, in the most humble of ways.

What's your go-to song right now and why is it important to you?

My go-to song as of recent is "Got 'Til It's Gone" by Janet Jackson, Q-Tip, and Joni Mitchell, which I've just only discovered recently. I don't know if it's the melodies, the nostalgic chorus or chords but it literally soothes my soul, and seems to magically eradicate pre-show nerves! So it's on repeat.

What is your dream as an artist and what steps are you taking to reach your dream?

I would love to be a well-established Artist with the opportunities to write and/or produce for, and just collaborate with Artists - so more behind the scenes work where I believe I could help build and create, hopefully, something timeless. That's the ultimate dream. I also have other goals of curating a Visual Arts business creating custom art canvas pieces and digital designs for people. That, and being a professional and fully licensed self-employed Tattoo Artist on the go, all under my brand. I have been building a portfolio of design work for a number of years, and am currently in the process of looking for Tattoo Apprenticeship roles as the first step into the field. I've been doing intensive research into the Visual Arts business, hearing other Artists' stories and just getting a better understanding of the business world in that industry, and knowing how to tie it in with my music. I'm ensuring I educate myself as much as possible before I dive in.

What is the best advice you would give someone with a dream?

The best advice I'd give someone with a dream is, even if you can't visualize it, to know that it's real and know that it's yours. A quote I recently heard (in an old episode of Everybody Hates Chris) - "Success comes from opportunity and preparation". And when you aren't yet given the opportunity, make preparation for it, so when it does come, you feel ready.   Three words I have set as a daily reminder on my phone is: Work. Channel. Manifest.

Tell us about your most recent release:

My most recent release is a song called "NUMB" and was released in Jan 2022. It's my second single and sonically is more of an "interlude" type of track. I decided to release it as I knew it would be an introduction to me as an Artist, along with the direction I wanted to take myself creatively in this part of life. So a little backstory. My pedantic self spent half a year to a year going back and forth writing various songs, of different moods, some more upbeat and "R&B", some more "Lo-Fi" Hip-Hop, and although the songs I wrote were genuine and relevant to how I was feeling at the time, something in me was telling me not to release any of them (atleast not yet). So I listened to the intuitive voice and didn't release them. Around Christmas (2021) I was going through an archives folder of miscellaneous pieces of music and beats I had made over a period of time, that I was going to release on later projects. I spontaneously decided to write to some, one of them later turned into my song "NUMB". It was a subtle revelation of sorts. When writing NUMB, it felt so natural and free - like I'd unlocked a weird part of me that I'd been waiting to find, almost. It just sat right with me in that process. So, "NUMB" is a short but honest and very personal song. The drums throughout the song are deliberately unquantized as I wanted to encapsulate the unsteadiness of my life, and the uncertainty, and at times, immaturity of my life choices. I also wanted to keep the song short and sweet as it's a subject I didn't necessarily want to dwell on, in that moment.

Watch/Listen on Youtube https://youtu.be/pgAxQXG8WsU

Conenct with JOIISOL

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/JOIISOL

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JOIISOL

Facebook.com: http://www.facebook.com/JOIISOL

Website: https://joiisol.bandcamp.com

Photography credit: Adam Drew @ShotsbySensei (instagram)