Exposed Vocals Interviews Joph Wa

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

Joph Wa: First of all, thank you for this opportunity. This is my first interview ever. So, my name is Jose Luis Pizzi, and my artistic name is Joph Wa. I’m a 25 year-old House and Tech-House DJ/Producer. I’m from San Fernando, a city placed in the north Buenos Aires, Argentina. Well, I have loved music since I was a child. When I was 8, my mother bought me my first keyboard, and I started piano lessons that year. Some years later I decided to study music. I used to play the piano, but I also learnt to play violoncello,bass, and some other instruments. My encounter with electronic music did not happen until I was 18 years old, when a friend of mine taught me the basic concepts of being a DJ. Since then, I have been learning how to play with different setups, from turntables to controllers and, what matters the most to me: I started to produce my own tracks.

 

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

Joph Wa: My artistic name is just a play on words that I made up by using my real name and changing some details. It doesn’t carry a lot of inspiration, but I like it anyway.

 

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

Joph Wa: I am not in the least against sharing music. I think that thanks to the internet, people can show what they can and want to do in an easy way. Obviously, not all of my products are available to download for free, but it’s true that when you release a free track, or a free downloadable set, it increases the spreading.

 

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

Joph Wa: Well, the truth is that everyone knows it is complicated. Being able to play in certain places is difficult, no matter what kind of music you play. I believe there is no magic here: you have to be proactive, get moving, knock on doors, and get to know people involved in the environment in which you want to work. And , most importantly: don’t give up on the first “no,” keep trying, again and again and keep on going until you succeed.

 

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

Joph Wa: I think electronic music is different from the rest. I have two methods when it comes to songwriting. The first one, which is very simple, is to just play with the music, to try sounds, to make several layers and let it flow. Once I’m done with the core of the structure, I begin with the technical details. The second method, which is the one I use the most, is to start from a concrete idea and to see that the message and the sound transmit what I want. I usually name the songs beforehand, so that once they are finished, I can check that they actually represent what I want to transmit.

 

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

Joph Wa: The truth is that I don’t have an official website yet, although I do use several online platforms –as the rest of the DJs do– to share my music and my ideas. The platforms I use are Soundcloud, Mixcloud and Youtube, but you can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, ITunes and Spotify.

 

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

Joph Wa: Hahaha, that’s a question! I guess I would invest it in finishing my home-studio and fixing my house. I don’t have crazy plans in my mind yet; I am really focused on my project.

 

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Joph Wa: To start with, get my songs involved with certain labels of electronic music causes great spreading as a professional for me. On the other hand, I usually pay for posts on different social media and then upload promos, sets, free downloads to Soundcloud and previews of videos to Twitter, Instagram, etc., which I believe is what all DJs do.

 

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Joph Wa: I am always working on new material. If there is something that fascinates me is producing songs and constantly releasing new products.  On the other hand, I am working on a parallel project, but I don’t want to give much information about it. However, I will have something to show you very soon.

 

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Joph Wa: The truth is I don’t like anything as much as I like music. I really don’t know what I would be doing if I weren’t making music. I would have studied Philosophy or maybe be an athlete, as I used to play handball when I was a child.

 

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

Joph Wa: That is an issue. Obviously, I spend most of my time making music and being with the people I love, and attend my other responsibilities when I can. In fact, I have another job, so I know it can be complicated. However, while the dream is there, the energy will always be focused on it.

 

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?

Joph Wa: Fans? Hahaha. I don’t believe in fanaticism but for those who like my music: be prepared because I have high expectations for this year. There are many possibilities that can come true, so who knows what will happen? Regarding my productions, you will see many of them because, as I said before, I love constantly releasing new material.