Q&A: Joop Junior [Minus x SCI+TEC]

By Kyle Marno on October 12, 2013

“Straight up no-messing techno that hooks us in and transports us to the Amnesia dance floor where we wait for the bass to kick and the CO2 blasts to take our heads off!” Those are the words of Richie Hawtin. He’s talking about techno’s most engaging new talent, Joop Junior, and of course he is a man who knows. As such it’s no surprise the Minus boss has snapped up the Dutchman when Joop was only 21, and released two of his tracks on the label’s New Horizons compilation in 2012, as well as the Sonus.1 EP in 2013.

His Itanimulli EP, on Dubfire’s equally influential SCI+TEC label, followed that landmark release. The reason? Joop Junior’s music is all carefully sculpted from scratch, with every sound synthesized by the Hague man with gorgeous synthetic textures, uplifting rhythms and plenty of the elegance associated with the best minimal has to offer. It’s moody and atmospheric music that transports you to another realm entirely and earlier releases have been supported by the likes of Adam Beyer, Umek and John Digweed.

In the club Joop Junior deals exclusive in live shows. They help him transmit his message in the most personal way possible and see him working sounds into his own unique and exceptional sonic tapestries. He plays at esteemed places like London’s EGG, Air in Amsterdam plus festivals like Awakenings and Metropolis as well as many other cities around the world, sometimes alongside the Minus and SCI+TEC bosses that have been quick to showcase their man to the world. Now he is here, he has plenty to say and an ever-larger audience of people who are desperate to listen in.

Soundspace

Who is Joop Junior?

Joop Junior

A 21 year old electronic music producer from The Hague, The Netherlands.

Soundspace

How did you become interested in Techno music?

Joop Junior

Starting out as a ‘deejay’ interested in house music, I gradually developed interest in techno. When I noticed the house scene I was familiar with was mutating into this current state of ‘EDM,’ I said goodbye, and focused on techno, which felt new and different. However, multi-genre hits like Dubfire’s “Roadkill” were regulars in my DJ sets back then, maybe the switch was more organic than I thought it was.

Soundspace

Releasing original EPs on labels such as Minus and SCI+TEC, how does it feel?

Joop Junior

Good. Both Rich and Ali have been an influence for me personally and musically. I always felt strongly connected to both of their labels.

I’ve set a bunch of goals for my career, and signing music to Minus and SCI+TEC has most definitely been a milestone.

Soundspace

Tell us one thing we shouldn’t know about you?

Joop Junior

I don’t drink, not very techno huh?

Soundspace

Highlight of your musical career so far?

Joop Junior

Indeed, so far. The releases on Minus and SC+TEC have been a milestone, but preceding releases on Fone Audio, Bitten, etc have been small steps to something bigger. Besides that, being supported by my favourite artists is a pat on the back. I will be an ‘audio engineer’ next year and I’ve been delving into sound-design much deeper. Every bit and piece of my Sonus.1 EP for Minus has been hand crafted from the ground up. A time-consuming, tedious process, which was a big step for me. Gigs have been great, from one day to the next I was flying around to play gigs in these beautiful cities, which is a privilege!

Soundspace

What can we expect from a Joop Junior live set?

Joop Junior

Mostly unreleased tracks by me, I hope.

Soundspace

If you could spend one day in any country for a day, where would it be and why?

Joop Junior

One day is too short!

Listen to: Joop Junior – Triangle [Minus]
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