In celebration of the launch of his latest superb collection of distinct electronic dance and dark pop songs, we caught an interview with artist and performer Joel Christian. We talk about the new project It Only Comes At Night, as well as the creative process leading up to it, perspective changes experienced since the EP four years ago, and plenty more. Here’s the conversation in full.
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Hi Joel – great to catch up! Huge congrats for the brilliant new project. For those new to your journey – where are you based, and how would you describe your intended style of music?
Hi!!!!! So happy to be chatting with you guys! 🙂 Yes, so I am kind of all over, but my career started in LA.
My music is definitely labelled as electronic dance pop. It definitely has an undertone of surprise, eeriness, and mystery to it, but it’s playful and fun. I love creating storylines within my art to drive that energy within my music. That’s my style of music…high energy and uniqueness.
What was the leading idea behind the new release It Only Comes at Night?
I really wanted to create a project that held to my aesthetic. My last project was electronic and experimental with different sounds and effects that I thought were so cool and unique. With this album, I wanted to dive deep into what I felt my heart was drawn to. Every song on this album, I wrote and co-produced with (my producer.)
With my last album, it was almost like an introduction to my identity as an artist and with this album it was like, “I am Joel Christian. This is my genre and I’m going to own it.” We really wanted this album to scream my art.
Take a Bite makes for the perfect opening track. What’s the creative process like for a song like this?
Well, Take a Bite was actually written as one of the first songs for the album. I was watching a vampire movie one night and I said, damn it’s so cool this creature takes a bite of you and you kind of transform into their world. I was like I want my song to be called “Take a Bite” because I want you to come into my world and live. I knew I wanted an intense captivating intro to the album, so I knew the song had to be first. I didn’t want it to be a typical intro song, I wanted it to electronically grab you, if that makes any sense haha. The title is a perfect intro into the project because it grabs you and doesn’t let go and before you know it…you’re into track two, Dark Eyeliner.
There’s also a strong eighties and sci-fi-like influence to many of the traits of this release. Who or what would you say have been your main influences in crafting your style?
I love that you can hear those influences because I love the 80’s and I love sci-fi. So that makes me happy. I would say I love my new pop artists and I love my pop legends. But truly with this album, I was more inspired by sounds and synthesizers from genres of music. I listened to a lot of dark wave, synthwave, synthpop, and even some club europop instrumentals to get into the world of It Only Comes At Night I was honestly very inspired by me this album. I really took time writing, cultivating, and listening to my previous work to make it better.
Are you a multi-instrumentalist, a producer, or do you collaborate to get such a full and impressive sound?
I have been working with the same producer my entire career. He’s like family to me. He understands the weirdness and sounds that I hear. The process we had with this album was truly incredible. We know what we’re doing. We know my sound and what I want.
For so many years, we were experimenting with different tracks etc and this album just flowed. We know the sound we wanted and we went for it. All of the lyrics are written by me and what was so great about this album is I got to co-produce each track which was incredible. With Dark Magic, it was during Covid, so I didn’t get to be as hands on. This album was so fun being able to be in the studio and listening to each part of the tracks.
How much has your situation or creative perspective changed since the release of Rise From The Grave four years ago?
I think Rise from the Grave played a huge part in creating this album. It’s my most streamed song as an artist. It truly was such a special record to me and to be able to be making new music inspired by it is so healing in a way. I think that song was kind of like a shedding almost, like this is me struggling with anxiety and being vulnerable as an artist, but now I have the confidence because of that record. I am truly proud of it and the music video which was filmed prior to lockdown. Just a wild journey to be honest that has led me here, and I’m so thankful to the fans for continuing to follow my music. I love them so much.
Is there much potential for live shows and even live clips of some of these songs? If so, what would that entail?
My team and I have surprises coming…that’s all I will say. 🙂
You’re swiftly approaching 10k followers on Instagram. What would you say is the key to building an audience who connect with your sound and style as an artist?
I think just remaining yourself. I always struggled with being an artist and making art. You know, I am just a normal guy, but I love being an artist and creating an escape through my music.
“The world can be so scary, lonely, and almost discouraging, but I think when you show the world you can be yourself and fearless…it creates a bond between strangers.”
Like hey if he’s doing it, I can…and I think that’s what has brought my fans and I together. They know I’m real and I give it my all. Even if I fail…it’s worth it to me to show that.
What’s next for you?
I’m ready to just keep making more electronic music. I have some projects lined up and I can’t wait for my fans to see. They have been with me since the beginning and I truly mean it, I love them. All of this is for them. If I can show them I can do it, they can do it too. But I do have some projects and surprises coming up. You’ll see…
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Album out Now. Follow Joel Christian on Instagram & Soundcloud.
