Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Brokenn Jukebox
Brokënn… but not beyond repair 😉
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
I remember hearing records in French, Portuguese and English my parents were playing in the living room, before I could actually distinguish the various languages. I believe children get instinctively drawn to the music, and I was no exception.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
From songwriting. I was always very creative, needing to put my ideas on paper. Since my teen years I’ve been writing novels on and off, but as a child it had started with songs or poems, the shorter form being more accessible. For basically a year now, I reignited this long-lost passion for songwriting.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
It’s a double album (‘Bachelor’ & ‘Sophomore’) representing my multicultural upbringing and all the genres I’ve come to love. I challenged myself to write new songs in the 4 languages I’m proficient in, and the 2 parts (one male and one female) are mirroring each other in many ways while also bringing out different points of view.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
It’s mostly Pop and upbeat, but with lots of variety including Latin music, Electro, Pop/Rock, and even R&B on some tracks. It truly is a Jukebox with songs for every mood and every taste!
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
That lyrics and music don’t have to come from the same place. There is nothing better than sad lyrics over electro beats, or acoustic arrangements for a song about dancing. It’s great to mix and match.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
Ideas can strike any moment, so my phone usually ends up being the primary collector of my concepts and lyrics. The music itself is computerized. Brokënn Jukebox is a hobby for me, to take my head off from my demanding job.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I love Faouzia who just released her long-awaited debut album ‘Film Noir’. She has an incredible voice and you can truly feel every word she says.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
A good song comes from a place of truth. And I actually have been around the world a few times, still I’m barely starting to understand how the planet and humans function. So influence is everywhere, we just need to soak it in and convert the bad energies into creativity if we can’t make good out of it just yet.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
Joy. Hope. Self-consciousness. Motivation. Or any feeling that might speak to them. A listening experience is always personal.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
That it’s normal to go through ups and downs. Not every day can be good. Not every experience can be positive. Not every song can be uplifting. It’s all about finding the right balance in order to keep going.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I just attended ‘The Mayhem Ball’ tour by Lady Gaga. I cried when it ended, it was so magic. And there was no opening act ! So please tell Mother Monster that I’m available to DJ for free ! That is for sure my dream venue !
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
I would love to write a song for Britney if she ever records again. She certainly shaped my musical tastes from an early age, and you can hear some influences of her music in my tracks. Particularly, I have one called ‘I’m Not Singing 4 U’ in the ‘Sophomore’ album which is in parts an homage to her through both the title and the theme of the song.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
https://www.instagram.com/brokenn_jukebox
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
Nothing ambitious. As long as some people are still happy to hear my songs, I’ll be always happier to keep creating new ones!
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
It’s more about what hopefully they will discover about themselves. Music ignites passions, thoughts, feelings… This is my experience as a listener, and my goal as an artist.
