Interview with Alternative Artist Juno Willo
MuzicNotez: First off, it’s an honor to be doing this interview with you, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us.
What motivated you to start creating music? What age did you begin?
- Juno Willo: Thank you so much for reaching out to me! When I was 7 years old, I told my parents that I wanted to play the violin (God knows why), so I spent my most formative years in a classical music school. I also started playing the piano as it was compulsory in my school. At some point around the age of 11, I also took up the guitar and started making up my own songs. Even though I don’t come from a musical family, somehow music has always been the biggest part of my life, and I could never imagine a life without it. Writing and producing are the only ways I process anything that happens in my life and in my head.
MuzicNotez: Who were your musical influences, idols, or bands growing up that have helped mold you into the musician you are today? Or helped mold the music that you create?
- Juno Willo: As mentioned earlier, I spent my childhood and early adolescence immersed in classical music, and I think that to this day, I experience music through that classical lens. Later in life, I fell in love with a lot of different genres, but in retrospect, my biggest influences were bands like Radiohead, Bon Iver, Fleetwood Mac, and many others. Around the age of 14, I became obsessed with everything Jack White did, including The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather, and, of course, his solo career.
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Twitter: @junowillo
Instagram: @junowillo
MuzicNotez: What’s the ultimate goal you want your music to achieve, or for you to achieve in your career as a musician? Any particular message you wish to send?
- Juno Willo: My goal is to build a fanbase of people who feel connected to my music and resonate with the messages it carries. All I really want is the opportunity to make music my whole life, never stop learning, progressing and sharing it with people. When I’m older I see myself helping and guiding young artists to lead creatively fulfilling lives. I want to gather as much knowledge and experience to one day become a role model and pass down everything I’ve learned.
MuzicNotez: What’s the greatest concert you’ve ever been to or performed?
- Juno Willo: The greatest concert I’ve ever attended was Bastille’s performance when I was 14. The reason I consider it the best is that it was my first concert of an artist I was a fan of. I begged my parents for two weeks to get me a ticket, and my brother drove me over 300 kilometers to the city they performed in. I felt like I was on the top of the world and that night really made me 100% sure that I want to make music and perform.
MuzicNotez: Your latest release is your debut EP ‘6 Fears’, how does it feel releasing your debut?
- Juno Willo: It feels like I’ve finally gotten something off my chest. For years I considered myself to be an artist but I got nothing to show for it as I was terrified of sharing my music with anyone. Now that I’ve conquered my fear, I feel more like myself. I consider my debut a success; it got some attention from people, especially on Spotify, and I didn’t really expect anyone except my family and friends to listen to it.
MuzicNotez: Your sound is very unique and how to describe as any one genre, how would you describe the music that you create?
- Juno Willo: I feel like I’m still trying to figure out an answer to this question. Currently, I consider my music to fall within the alternative genre with influences of psychedelic, folk, and rock. I also believe my music is deeply personal and emotional, but that is mostly for the audience to judge.
MuzicNotez: What is your creative process like when you’re creating your music?
- Juno Willo: My creative process often begins outside of the studio. Before I start working, it’s important to me to be in the right headspace, and going for a walk helps with that. Whenever I’m having a creative block, I’ll take a walk, and most of the time, a solution comes to me. The process varies each time, but typically, I set an intention, sit down with a guitar or by the piano, and start coming up with a progression and vocal melodies. Once I have a draft of the song, I open up Logic Pro and start the production process. After I finish, that’s when my partner in crime, Michal Wysocki, comes in to assist with re-recording some of the tracks—usually vocals and guitars—and then he also handles the mixing and mastering of the song.
MuzicNotez: What else are you working on? What can we expect to see and hear from you in the future?
- Juno Willo: At the moment, I’m working on my second EP, which will be released before the end of this winter. In the beginning of 2024, I will also begin assembling a band so that we can start performing soon! I’m very excited and ready to continue putting in the hard work.
MuzicNotez: Anything else you wish to say about yourself or your music? Any message for your fans?
- Juno Willo: I want to thank anyone who has listened to my songs. It feels very magical to create something and see people enjoy it, and I’ll always be eternally grateful for that.