Hiya folks thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today, grab a brew and take a seat.
What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
I (Jeyênne) never had to decide in my life whether I wanted to be a musician or not. I was born and raised with it. I’ve been making music since I was 5 years old and this is my thirtieth or fortieth single, I’ve stopped counting.
Introduce us to you and your musical history.
XPQ-21 is first and foremost Jeyênne. 100% in the studio. Mastermind, producer and singer. Temptation is also composed, produced, sung, and mixed by me.
Enfant terrible and Techno Raver of the first hour. In the 90s as The Jeyênne, one of the player in the rave and techno scene, with numerous vinyl and CD releases. Touring with Prodigy and Moby, djing at festivals with greats like Carl Cox, Richie Hawtin, Ellen Allien, Sven Väth…
With appearances on MTV and VIVA TV, Mayday, Loveparade, and much more.
Currently working on the new XPQ-21 album to be released in summer/autumn 2023.
Live, I have often been joined by new people over the last 20 years of XPQ-21’s band history, which makes it exciting. Andy Haywire has been with me live since 2006.
The music industry is the hardest industry in the world to progress in, How do you feel you are doing?
I see it that way to a certain extent. If you always produce at the highest level, always stay focussed and bring along some talent, you can make it far. You just have to not give up.
How have your song writing skills developed over time?
It used to be more song-based, then it was track-based and now it’s both.
As you develop as an artist and develop using socials what ways do you get new ears on your music? Any tips?
Keeping my ears alert as often as possible. Whether it’s Spotify or the car radio, Shazam is my friend that I always have with me. Listen to music as much as possible and the ideas will come automatically.
Tell us Two truths and a lie about you.
At a live gig in the UK, our drummer missed his plane, so we had to borrow the drummer from the opening act.
In 2010 I founded a school for electronic music, with branches in Berlin, Cologne and of course online. EMS – Electronic Music School in Berlin, (www.em-school.com)
I took part in the Berlin Marathon in 2018 and took one of the first places.
What’s your thought on Spotify’s monopoly on the music industry?
Monopolies are always bad. Unfortunately, there are few serious alternatives. More people should dare to compete with Spotify with a new idea and enough budget behind it.
Do you sign up for any conspiracy theories?
I don’t believe in conspiracy theories.
Did you buy anything you don’t need during the pandemic?
I used the time to make more music. I have educated myself and bought a lot of music software. I also bought lots of masks and disinfectant spray for the EMS – Electronic Music School, which are no longer needed.
What was the worst experience on stage?
When my audio interface crashed. It took 30 minutes to start everything up again and even then it only worked poorly. I threw it in the bin and bought one from another company.
Tell us something about you / each member that you think people would be surprised about.
I grew up with a Catholic priest and wanted to become a priest myself. I composed my first composition when I was 8 years old and a nun taught me how to sing. My first tracks were accompaniments for funeral masses.
Andy has an undergraduate degree in mathematics and physics. Can cook very well. Plays trumpet, drums, guitar, and piano and sings.
What makes you stand out as a band/artist?
You have to ask the audience. Others are better at describing themselves.
I hear you have new music, what can you tell us about it.
Temptation is the follow-up single to Machines. After the long break, we are back with new material since May 2022. The 2 singles are the forerunner to the album that will be released in summer / autumn.
Talk me through the thought process of the new tune/s.
I wrote Temptation 10 years ago. There was only one loop I made and a scrap of the chorus. It took 10 years for the track to mature. It almost didn’t get released.
What was the recording process like?
Very tedious this time, because I always want to do my best, but the track didn’t want it the way I wanted it.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
That you should not do too many takes when singing. Often the first 3 takes are the best.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
No, this is the track, here and now. That’s how I feel it. If I change it, it’s a new, different track.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
The music you hear on Spotify is made by people who spend days, months and even years working on ideas, sounds and lyrics. Don’t take it for granted that it will be heard somewhere. Go to concerts and buy merchandise from the artists, that’s how they make a living and can make even more cool music and bring you joy. They don’t make a living out of it.
Look forward to a new album from XPQ-21 in summer / autumn 2023. Follow us on Instagram: @xpq_21/ or Spotify. We appreciate it.
Also:
Don’t try to parrot everything you hear. Don’t chase the money.
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