01Profile
A Joseph Efi Photo
Joseph Efi
Musician — South West England
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Joseph Efi, South West England.
Describe your style in three words?
Mostly earthy tones.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I saw Little Dragon at Boomtown a couple years back and that was a very special one.. They were playing on a small-ish stage in the green fields on the Thursday night which I thought was odd for a band of their stature, the rain came tumbling down for almost the entirety of the set but the field was chockablock with gleeful dancing bodies, umbrellas at the ready. The energy of their set, and particularly of frontwoman Yukimi was incredible, not a single dull moment! Undoubtedly one of my favourite bands, that was a magical experience.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands or artists in history?
Broadcast - blissful, psychedelic goodness unlike anything else. They use such a unique palette of sounds/textures through different effects, samples and synths, all complemented by frontwoman Trish’s dreamy vocals. Wish I could have seen them live! Chet Baker - Chet’s voice and vocal melodies are a big influence on me. Through listening to old jazz crooners like him I’m always trying to write vocal melodies that I find interesting to sing. There’s this one instrumental tune of his though called Lonely Star - heavenly… could listen again and again.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
My dad used to skate so he got me on a board from a young age, I was always a bit too much of a nerdy bedroom kid to skate that much but I still do occasionally and it’s always going to remain close to my heart. There’s not really any other activity through which you can make friends instantly anywhere in the world - you can move to any random city and have a new group of friends and probably even a place to stay within hours. It’s incredible how much wonderful art, music and fashion has emerged from such a seemingly simple activity. The whole sound system/dubplate culture that came out of Jamaica in the '70s pioneered by people like King Tubby and Lee Perry - it was all about who had the heaviest dubs. I can’t imagine how mindblowing those early Tubby dances would have sounded/felt like. I love how the culture has continued into grime and garage and then to dubstep with people still hand-building systems and cutting dubs to this day. Graffiti is a big influence too, the fearlessness of some of the writers out there is nuts to me. I love the idea that someone can be up everywhere yet still totally anonymous. When I saw those photos of Oxford Circus on boxing day I had the biggest grin, it was a perfect f*ck you to Babylon. Lastly, I’d say the UK (independent) festival scene - I’m not talking about lads drinking Stellas at Reading but the behind the scenes of festivals like Glastonbury and Boomtown and smaller ones like Shambala, from the sound systems to the designing of stages and areas to even the fictional storylines behind everything. My mum’s been taking me to festivals since I was a bubba and I started working behind the scenes as soon as I was old enough, I’ve made many friends for life through festivals and the whole process of thinking up concepts and bringing them to reality to create an all-round experience for people is sick and I’ll never get bored of doing it.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Tom Waits - truly a renaissance man - an incredible storyteller with so much style and character. I feel like he’d be an absolute laugh to chill with whilst also instilling plenty words of wisdom.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
A few Bristol ones come to mind… Cosies is definitely a favourite - a very unassuming underground venue in St Pauls which as the name suggests feels very cosy, with a very small capacity and a ceiling so low I almost have to duck slightly. They only have vinyl decks and a solid system, I have so many happy memories of spending nights there.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Dimlite - your fav producer’s fav producer. So many flawless releases and more aliases than you can count yet still relatively unknown. His music is both musically and sonically incredible. Big ups Dim Grimm! Also gotta give my mum a shout out too - Lou Rhodes - her band Lamb’s debut album is in my opinion one of the most forward-thinking electronic albums of the '90s and I don’t think they get nearly enough props for it. Her creativity, love and passion is the reason I’m able to do anything I do today, love ya mama x.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Chase the Devil' by Max Romeo. I’ve got many memories of my pops blasting this in the house and on car journeys when I was a young buck - probably the first song I learnt all the lyrics to. My girlfriend and I were just talking the other day about how the vocal melody sounds almost like a nursery rhyme. Hold tight the Upsetters on the riddim!
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Places' by Shlohmo. This one was my first introduction into all the LA beats stuff that was really popping in the early 2010s, it’s probably my most played tune throughout my teenage years. The whole Bad Vibes album was such a big influence for me when I was first getting into making tunes - young Joseph spent many nights burning zoots and listening to it on repeat... How corny... Haha.
One record you would keep forever?
'Glendale Galleria' by Flying Lotus / 'Untitled_Rsn' by Joker 12”. Couldn’t quite believe it when I stumbled across this - one of the biggest (and of my fav) producers in the LA beats scene releasing a tune on a small Bristol dubstep label. So sick hearing a tune by him that has quite a UK palette. It’s the B-side on this which does it for me though. I love Joker’s stuff but this is by far my favourite by him, no other tune makes me feel the way this one does - it’s difficult to put into words. Blows my mind every time I listen to it. It makes me feel very nostalgic about times growing up in Bristol and going to my first dubstep nights - that city holds a lot of endearment to me so this tune brings me a lot of comfort.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“’Cause living in a world without love
Or handclapping, foot-stomping music
For us to get together every now and then
Sing a song of love for the children to learn”
From 'We Need Love' by Johnny Osbourne. I adore the almost wailing quality to a lot of reggae singers from this era, a singing style filled with little idiosyncrasies and so much emotion. Osbourne sings a simple message here - love and good music really is all we need.
A song you wished you had written?
Probably any tune off of 'Untrue' by Burial - definitely in my top 10 albums. Similar to that Joker track, these tunes possess a feeling that I don’t think anything else has - people have tried to replicate it but have failed relentlessly. Burial manages to capture the energy and feeling of UK dance music and totally strip it to its core whilst adding to it feelings like nostalgia, existentialism… It’s just unmistakably UK too. A warm hug in an unknown world. I listen to this album at least once a month.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps Please' by Splodgenessabounds. One for my fellow Brits, not much needed to say about this one. I’LL HAVE TWO PINTS OF LAGER AND A PACKET OF CRISPS PLEASE.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Cry Me a River' by Justin Timberlake. I’m not even exaggerating when I say I think this tune is flawless… Timbaland’s production, everything from the percussion, instrumentation, textures etc is just so good. JT’s vocals kill it too. Probably my fav pop song ever.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Who Am I' by Beenie Man. Any time I’ve been at a party and I feel my energy dipping I just put this on and it always brings me back to life.. Can’t think of anything more mighty than that opening horn/bass line with that refrain - ZIM ZIMMA… That or anything by Digital Mystikz - any lover of dubstep will know how pioneering their releases (as well as Mala and Coki’s solo releases) through the mid-2000s were for the sound. There isn’t much of their catalogue available on Spotify but ’Haunted’ or ‘Earth A Run Red’ are my personal favourites. Lord, please bring back the sound systems…
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Let Me Love You - 12” Discomix' by Carlton and the Shoes. So much soul in this tune, never fails to make my heart sing. Perfect for those early morning hours after dancing your socks off all night. Nothing but beautiful.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
'Watch the World in Detail' by HANAH. My friend HANAH with the badgyal riddims and angelic vocal harmonies, I’m so excited to hear new stuff from her and watch her style develop, definitely one to watch.
'Chasing Smoke' by Natty Wylah. Natty Wylah - gritty and raw poetry from North London, a wonderful storyteller. Me and him got some bits in the works too so keep ya eyelids peeled for that.
'Figment' by sv1. sv1 - there’s not a lot of new electronic music that excites me but this guy is an exception, crazy sound design mixed with soulful harmonies. It’s rare for a producer to be able to make face-melting bangers that would tear down a club and also make beautifully evocative headphone music.
'Mauvaise Foi - A COLORS SHOW' by Bonnie Banane. Bonnie Banane - she’s been around for a minute but only released her first album late last year, I just love her voice and she works with really interesting producers, I think she has a very unique style and sound. There’s a lot of sick new music coming out of Paris, I love that city.
'Smoke' by Gal Go, Tom Grey. Lastly, Gal Go Grey - Tom is a good friend of mine, he’s a genius and a sonic wizard. He just brought out a new project with a guy called Gal Go and it’s beautiful very very fresh good music!
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Joseph Efi, South West England.
Describe your style in three words?
Mostly earthy tones.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I saw Little Dragon at Boomtown a couple years back and that was a very special one.. They were playing on a small-ish stage in the green fields on the Thursday night which I thought was odd for a band of their stature, the rain came tumbling down for almost the entirety of the set but the field was chockablock with gleeful dancing bodies, umbrellas at the ready. The energy of their set, and particularly of frontwoman Yukimi was incredible, not a single dull moment! Undoubtedly one of my favourite bands, that was a magical experience.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands or artists in history?
Broadcast - blissful, psychedelic goodness unlike anything else. They use such a unique palette of sounds/textures through different effects, samples and synths, all complemented by frontwoman Trish’s dreamy vocals. Wish I could have seen them live! Chet Baker - Chet’s voice and vocal melodies are a big influence on me. Through listening to old jazz crooners like him I’m always trying to write vocal melodies that I find interesting to sing. There’s this one instrumental tune of his though called Lonely Star - heavenly… could listen again and again.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
My dad used to skate so he got me on a board from a young age, I was always a bit too much of a nerdy bedroom kid to skate that much but I still do occasionally and it’s always going to remain close to my heart. There’s not really any other activity through which you can make friends instantly anywhere in the world - you can move to any random city and have a new group of friends and probably even a place to stay within hours. It’s incredible how much wonderful art, music and fashion has emerged from such a seemingly simple activity. The whole sound system/dubplate culture that came out of Jamaica in the '70s pioneered by people like King Tubby and Lee Perry - it was all about who had the heaviest dubs. I can’t imagine how mindblowing those early Tubby dances would have sounded/felt like. I love how the culture has continued into grime and garage and then to dubstep with people still hand-building systems and cutting dubs to this day. Graffiti is a big influence too, the fearlessness of some of the writers out there is nuts to me. I love the idea that someone can be up everywhere yet still totally anonymous. When I saw those photos of Oxford Circus on boxing day I had the biggest grin, it was a perfect f*ck you to Babylon. Lastly, I’d say the UK (independent) festival scene - I’m not talking about lads drinking Stellas at Reading but the behind the scenes of festivals like Glastonbury and Boomtown and smaller ones like Shambala, from the sound systems to the designing of stages and areas to even the fictional storylines behind everything. My mum’s been taking me to festivals since I was a bubba and I started working behind the scenes as soon as I was old enough, I’ve made many friends for life through festivals and the whole process of thinking up concepts and bringing them to reality to create an all-round experience for people is sick and I’ll never get bored of doing it.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Tom Waits - truly a renaissance man - an incredible storyteller with so much style and character. I feel like he’d be an absolute laugh to chill with whilst also instilling plenty words of wisdom.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
A few Bristol ones come to mind… Cosies is definitely a favourite - a very unassuming underground venue in St Pauls which as the name suggests feels very cosy, with a very small capacity and a ceiling so low I almost have to duck slightly. They only have vinyl decks and a solid system, I have so many happy memories of spending nights there.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Dimlite - your fav producer’s fav producer. So many flawless releases and more aliases than you can count yet still relatively unknown. His music is both musically and sonically incredible. Big ups Dim Grimm! Also gotta give my mum a shout out too - Lou Rhodes - her band Lamb’s debut album is in my opinion one of the most forward-thinking electronic albums of the '90s and I don’t think they get nearly enough props for it. Her creativity, love and passion is the reason I’m able to do anything I do today, love ya mama x.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Chase the Devil' by Max Romeo. I’ve got many memories of my pops blasting this in the house and on car journeys when I was a young buck - probably the first song I learnt all the lyrics to. My girlfriend and I were just talking the other day about how the vocal melody sounds almost like a nursery rhyme. Hold tight the Upsetters on the riddim!
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Places' by Shlohmo. This one was my first introduction into all the LA beats stuff that was really popping in the early 2010s, it’s probably my most played tune throughout my teenage years. The whole Bad Vibes album was such a big influence for me when I was first getting into making tunes - young Joseph spent many nights burning zoots and listening to it on repeat... How corny... Haha.
One record you would keep forever?
'Glendale Galleria' by Flying Lotus / 'Untitled_Rsn' by Joker 12”. Couldn’t quite believe it when I stumbled across this - one of the biggest (and of my fav) producers in the LA beats scene releasing a tune on a small Bristol dubstep label. So sick hearing a tune by him that has quite a UK palette. It’s the B-side on this which does it for me though. I love Joker’s stuff but this is by far my favourite by him, no other tune makes me feel the way this one does - it’s difficult to put into words. Blows my mind every time I listen to it. It makes me feel very nostalgic about times growing up in Bristol and going to my first dubstep nights - that city holds a lot of endearment to me so this tune brings me a lot of comfort.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“’Cause living in a world without love
Or handclapping, foot-stomping music
For us to get together every now and then
Sing a song of love for the children to learn”
From 'We Need Love' by Johnny Osbourne. I adore the almost wailing quality to a lot of reggae singers from this era, a singing style filled with little idiosyncrasies and so much emotion. Osbourne sings a simple message here - love and good music really is all we need.
A song you wished you had written?
Probably any tune off of 'Untrue' by Burial - definitely in my top 10 albums. Similar to that Joker track, these tunes possess a feeling that I don’t think anything else has - people have tried to replicate it but have failed relentlessly. Burial manages to capture the energy and feeling of UK dance music and totally strip it to its core whilst adding to it feelings like nostalgia, existentialism… It’s just unmistakably UK too. A warm hug in an unknown world. I listen to this album at least once a month.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps Please' by Splodgenessabounds. One for my fellow Brits, not much needed to say about this one. I’LL HAVE TWO PINTS OF LAGER AND A PACKET OF CRISPS PLEASE.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Cry Me a River' by Justin Timberlake. I’m not even exaggerating when I say I think this tune is flawless… Timbaland’s production, everything from the percussion, instrumentation, textures etc is just so good. JT’s vocals kill it too. Probably my fav pop song ever.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Who Am I' by Beenie Man. Any time I’ve been at a party and I feel my energy dipping I just put this on and it always brings me back to life.. Can’t think of anything more mighty than that opening horn/bass line with that refrain - ZIM ZIMMA… That or anything by Digital Mystikz - any lover of dubstep will know how pioneering their releases (as well as Mala and Coki’s solo releases) through the mid-2000s were for the sound. There isn’t much of their catalogue available on Spotify but ’Haunted’ or ‘Earth A Run Red’ are my personal favourites. Lord, please bring back the sound systems…
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Let Me Love You - 12” Discomix' by Carlton and the Shoes. So much soul in this tune, never fails to make my heart sing. Perfect for those early morning hours after dancing your socks off all night. Nothing but beautiful.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
'Watch the World in Detail' by HANAH. My friend HANAH with the badgyal riddims and angelic vocal harmonies, I’m so excited to hear new stuff from her and watch her style develop, definitely one to watch.
'Chasing Smoke' by Natty Wylah. Natty Wylah - gritty and raw poetry from North London, a wonderful storyteller. Me and him got some bits in the works too so keep ya eyelids peeled for that.
'Figment' by sv1. sv1 - there’s not a lot of new electronic music that excites me but this guy is an exception, crazy sound design mixed with soulful harmonies. It’s rare for a producer to be able to make face-melting bangers that would tear down a club and also make beautifully evocative headphone music.
'Mauvaise Foi - A COLORS SHOW' by Bonnie Banane. Bonnie Banane - she’s been around for a minute but only released her first album late last year, I just love her voice and she works with really interesting producers, I think she has a very unique style and sound. There’s a lot of sick new music coming out of Paris, I love that city.
'Smoke' by Gal Go, Tom Grey. Lastly, Gal Go Grey - Tom is a good friend of mine, he’s a genius and a sonic wizard. He just brought out a new project with a guy called Gal Go and it’s beautiful very very fresh good music!