Page 41 - Zone Magazine Issue 020

JOSH
Who were your main DJ influences and your main singing influences?
My dad and my sister were DJ’s when I was a kid so there was a lot of music to choose from while growing up. Prince, Jamie Principle, Alexander O’Neil alongside Green Velvet and Mount Sims have been inspiring as vocalists.
Where was your first ever performance, and what kind of particular thrill did
it give you?
Ha! The trill was definitely after rather than during and the whole thing was quite nerve racking to say the least. I make music with Jeroen from the Subs and sometimes perform under the alias Out of Eden. We played at a Vivienne Westwood anti fracking party together with the night Handsome and had really minimal time to rehearse the set and even less time to soundcheck. We managed to pull it off in the end and the reaction was great. After I thought ok, if I can overcome the nerves and nail this, I could probably take things quite far.
From your recordings, you have a passion for throbbing, almost
relentless bass-lines, was this something you would consider in advance of the creative process or something that was perhaps more subconscious, something that you noticed later on, and developed an affinity for? What other instruments and sounds do you find particularly attractive?
It was probably something subconscious at the beginning. I grew up at a time when jungle and drum and bass was huge and around me most of the time so the throbbing basslines is pretty much embedded in me. I wasn’t making music at this point but it’s definitely influenced my sound. I also listen to a lot of funk and love old sounding electric guitars, especially Fender Stratocasters.
Outside of the more obvious influences, what areas of music and culture influenced you musically and personally?
The NYC vogue scene was definitely something I connected with when I started djing. Everything what it meant to the gay black/latino community (especially in the 80’s) to be part of a House, to the amazing balls that took place in Harlem. It all resonated with me.
Also the scene that emerged in NYC between artists like Jean- Michel Basquiat, Grace Jones and Andy Warhol was something really inspiring. Art mixed with music and this was being translated in clubs like Area and Paradise Garage. I looked at this and thought I want to contribute and be part of something similar for our time.
The greatest piece of music you ever purchased is...
It’s hard to pick just pick one, I appreciate so many music genres. There’s definitely 3 that stand out. Fingers Inc “Another Side”, Prince “Around The World In Day” and Woo “Awaawaa”.
When you approach the mixing process, what do you feel really needs to stand out for you to say "yes, that's what I want, let's go with that".
This totally depends on who I’m working with. It could be a certain lyric/vocal that that we loop or a heavy kick drum. Overall the vocal has to be performed in the right way and sit nicely in the track. All the producers I’ve collaborated with as a vocalist have a certain style that I’m drawn too. Posthuman’s knowledge of all things acid is insanely good, I learn a lot from being around Joshu.
You have an enviable CV; Working with an eclectic array of DJs and producers over the years. Your recent work with Hannah Holland has come in for particular acclaim, tell me how that collaboration came about, and do you and Hannah have plans to work together in the future?
Me and Hannah have known each other for over 10 years and have always had the same admiration for each other’s music so when we first worked on a track together, everything just clicked in the studio and we really bounced off each other’s ideas. We learn a lot from each other in different ways. Constantly sending ideas and inspirations for music too so when we’re in the studio there’s already so much to play around with. It’s been a while since we’ve been in the studio together but I’m sure we’ll do something later this year. She’s produced a couple of tracks for part 2 of my album so keep an eye out for them soon.
Your music has an enviable ability to be simultaneously cerebral and sexual - a kind of egalitarian mix of body and mind meeting on various levels. 2018's Black Magik Dawn explores the sexual elements of music while searching for a newer aesthetic plateau; where do you see this taking your future
adventures?
It’s kind of hard to tell at the moment. Black Magik Dawn has just come out and my heads still very much in this space. However, one thing I’m definitely considering is going to Uganda which is where my family is from and spending some time recording music there. They have some amazingly talented producers and artists making some really interesting music. More so on the cerebral side.
Can we except any appearances in
Dublin or/and the rest of Ireland soon?
I bloody hope so! I’ve been to Dublin a couple of times and love how chilled it is. I haven’t had the chance to properly explore the nightlife though.
Finally, what do hope most to happen for Josh Caffe in 2018?
Take Black Magik Dawn on tour and release more music with my band.
caffe
Connect: www.facebook.com/joshcaffemusic