Interview: Joyce Muniz on new music and upcoming tour dates

Joyce Muniz is a producer, DJ, and label boss whose work spans imprints such as Permanent Vacation, Pets Recordings, and her own Joyce Muniz Music.

For years she has been a consistent figure among prominent festival and club billings, and will soon head on a tour which includes dates in both Australia and Mexico.

We spoke with her to discuss her recent projects and what she’s looking forward to on tour.

What have been some stand out moments for Joyce Muniz in 2025 so far?

At the beginning of the year I spent two months in Brazil, touring and working from there. It was the first time that I had a studio while travelling and I got to work with some great artists, like DJ Hell, the Brazilian project Marsellie, and old school producer Julio Torres.

It was very interesting to have a studio in my hometown Sao Paulo. Waking up in the morning, grabbing a coffee and food from the padaria (Brazilian bakery), feeling the pulsing energy of the city. I really enjoyed it a lot.

You returned to Kompakt for the release of your new single ‘Hack The System’ – what inspired the track and how was the process of making it?

This production was quite different from the others because the lyrics came before the beat. A poem is interpreted very differently than a song’s lyrics.

About three years ago, Futuradora showed me this text that had stuck in my head. Last year, I remembered it and asked her to record herself interpreting the lyrics. She gave me the audio in low quality, but I still decided to use it because her interpretation evoked the energy of ’90s sci-fi movies.

It was clear to me that the beat had to convey a cosmic, electro, ’80s vibe. I wanted to keep the vocals clear and avoid using elements that would distract from the voice and the message. It was very interesting, as I gradually built a new narrative around the beat, until it became a song.

Poker Flat Recordings and Permanent Vacation have also hosted your music in the past, what’s your typical process when it comes to finding a label and getting new music signed?

Most of the labels that I work with are either labels that I support as a DJ or I have a personal connection with. For me it’s important that I like the music and the artists of the label.

Which other record labels might we expect to hear you on soon?

My remix for the german disco band Dina Summer. The remix will be released on their Iptamenos Discos imprint, which is a label that I really like. I believe at the end of the year my remix for DJ Hell will also be released as well.

I have worked with a bunch of great artists recently which I can’t tell you much about, but there’s a new project in the pipeline which some great people are involved in.

You have tours of both Australia and Mexico planned for this year, is there anything particularly special you’re excited for with those?

This will be my third Australia tour, Australia’s really got my heart. I always felt a welcoming energy from the people and the nature is unique. I’m very much looking forward to coming back even if the trip is long, it’s worth it.

And I’m very much looking forward to coming back to Mexico, it’s been too long. My connection to Mexico comes through the music. I have so many friends there and a few people that I have been collaborating with like Theus Mago or Andre VII. I really play music from a lot of Mexican artists. I’m very excited to feel the vibes at the parties.

What’s one place you’ve never toured but would really love to?

There are so many places I still would like to explore like Argentina, Chile, Georgia, New Zealand, South Korea – these are the ones that come to my mind first. I feel grateful to be able to combine what I love to do with travelling. It’s very special.

And one track you can’t seem to turn off right now?

I really like the energy and the vibe of ‘LERM & Mauez – Dance Mutha’ which is from two artists that I just found. This one has the right summer feeling with a nice dark bassline.

Is there anything else you want to talk about before we go?

Stop the wars…

40 Questions: Ramon Tapia