Joanna Coelho, a Brazilian-born electronic music artist, has been making waves in the techno scene with her blend of dark techno and rave sounds. From her early beginnings in Curitiba to her current base in Barcelona, Coelho’s journey in electronic music has been marked by continuous evolution.
Photo credit: Estenopeica Studios
Graduating from the International Academy of Electronic Music at just 17, Coelho’s passion for electronic music led her to further her education in the Netherlands. Her tracks have since garnered support from artists like Amelie Lens and DAX J, while her performances have graced festivals across Europe and South America.
Recently, Coelho has been on a creative streak, releasing multiple EPs that showcase her versatility as an artist. Her latest EP, ‘Make You Move’, released on the English label T-Minus Records, demonstrates her ability to unite various genres while maintaining a strong rhythmic core.
In this exclusive interview with EG, Joanna Coelho opens up about her recent releases, her approach to music production, and her thoughts on the future of electronic music, including the role of AI in the creative process. Join us as we delve into the world of this rising techno star, exploring her journey, her sound, and her vision for the future.
EG: Hi, Joanna! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you right now?
Joanna Coelho: Thank you so much for having me here! It’s such a pleasure to connect with people from all over the globe. I’m currently in Barcelona, where I live, and have set up my studio.
EG: So, first of all, congratulations on the release of your brand new EP, ‘Back To The Rave’! You must be psyched to have this one out to share with everyone. What are some of your initial feelings now that ‘Back To The Rave’ is out? What has the initial reception been like?
Joanna Coelho: Thank you, really, I am so hyped for this release since I had the honor to collaborate with an artist and label I respect so much. Schroomp, also known as half of the mighty duo Filterheadz, was my partner in this endeavor and I couldn’t be happier about the results.
EG: Now, what can your fans expect to find on ‘Back To The Rave’ as a whole?
Joanna Coelho: This EP is a blend of dark techno and handpicked rave sounds such as screeches and rave stabs. On ‘Back to the Rave’ you will listen to my original vocals and lyrics “My mind is safe, back to the rave, without it I’d be going insane.”
EG: And what was the process of collaborating with Schroomp like? How did the relationship come about?
Joanna Coelho: This is our second EP together and I always like to record vocals to some of the tracks because I feel like I’m lucky enough to collaborate with such a great artist that it’s worth risking more than just using samples.
“I just try to be honest with my creativity”
EG: Since we’re on the releases front… we do know you have another EP dropping by the end of the month, is that right? Is there anything you can anticipate about this one?
Joanna Coelho: I just dropped a 3-track solo EP on T-Minus Records, the famous TinTechno Media outlet and Podcast series. This one counts with two psy techno tracks and a more industrial one which names the EP, ‘Make You Move’. On 29th November I’ll be releasing a single called ‘Bad Bitch’ on the renowned Sonaxx Records with Paul Clark, also with original vocals recorded by me.
EG: You started very young as a DJ and a producer, with more than 10 years as a professional. How has your sound evolved since the beginning? Are you making the music you thought you’d be making when you first started out?
Joanna Coelho: I feel like I’m the “Transformers” version of my younger self, sticking to electronic music and getting inspired from other styles to build my set, be it bouncy with hard groove, ethereal with hard trance or industrial and hard techno amongst so many other subgenres I play. As a producer, I just try to be honest with my creativity. I think it’s important to master the formulas, but who are you as an artist if you don’t make something that stays true to your core?
EG: And for those that haven’t seen you play live yet… what can they come to expect from your performances? How would you describe your taste for music?
Joanna Coelho: You can expect high BPMs, intense beats, ethereal melodies, live vocals, and cultural references, all in one package!
EG: Now, onto a hot topic… How do you feel about the rise of AI implementation in music? What’s your relationship with that like? Have you used AI in recent releases?
Joanna Coelho: Although I have not implemented that in any currently released music, AI has been in my studio recently in the form of VSTs for procedural tasks such as stem separation in case I want to extract an isolated instrument, for example. There are several ways in which AI can be used and I think the next step for me is to experiment with melodies and even lyrics although I feel like the source from which AI has mostly learned is mainstream music, so there is a limitation there but advancements will come really fast.
“Who are you as an artist if you don’t make something that stays true to your core?”
EG: Finally, what can we expect from Joanna Coelho in the next few months? Where can your fans catch you next?
Joanna Coelho: Catch me next in Paris at Clubbing TV on 15th November and on the 29th in Lisbon, Heavy Club!
EG: Thank you so much for your time, Joanna! We wish you all the best for the future. Take care!
Joanna Coelho: Thank you so much for having me!
Joanna Coelho’s ‘Make You Move’ is now available on T-Minus Records. Stream and download here.
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