JOX

Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of?
A big landmark for me was earlier this year when Helena Kristiansson and I could finally release our first collaboration with Tiff Lacey. Firstly, it’s one of those tracks where I feel we fully accomplished to combine music vibes from our past with present day in our sound design. Secondly, it was a major privilege to work with an artist we’d admired for many years.

But I also have to mention my track “Killing Me” with Trouser Enthusiasts for which Jox received a Grammy nomination.
 

What's the biggest misconception about Producing?
For sure, it’s a misconception to think that with experience it becomes easier. I think the day it feels easy is the day I should stop producing. I firmly believe that the best productions come when you are a tiny bit out of your comfort zone. Taking risks.
 

How would you describe your production style?
Versatile. And always in motion. Curiosity keeps artists relevant.
 

What type of music do you usually Produce?
Since I have a long-running background in radio, I’ve played many genres and thereof found interest in producing many genres too. I do trance in all its forms - recently mostly uplifting and progressive - yet the track on this Ignition compilation is a bit techtrance inspired.
But as I’m always curious both as listener and artist, I’ve even released a few small piano compositions and synth wave experiments.
 

Analog or digital and why?
Both. Mostly digital. But seemingly, I live in contrast so as a DJ, I’m old-fashioned and prefer (whenever possible) to play vinyl sets.
 

What do you like most about Electronic music?
Since I heard Pet Shop Boys and Kraftwerk in the 80’s, I knew that it was the path for me. 
 

How long have you been making music?
The first Jox-single was released back in 1997. It was licensed to Limbo Recordings and led to performances and gigs on various festivals - one in particular stand out where Jox played with Antiloop on an island outside Oslo.
 

What's your typical work process?
When a new track is started, there isn’t one particular workflow I stick to. The creative phase is best kept limitless and free and so it can start with finding some inspirational chords, start from a sample I found or putting down a melody I hummed while walking my daughter’s dog.

But after that, I get more structured - and if you saw an arrangement on my DAW, you would call me color fascist because I work better and faster with a good overview. One way to achieve this for me is to for example group and color all percussions yellow, all basses brown, all themes pink etc.
 

Tell us about your studio setup.
I’ve been a Logic user since I switched from Cubase in 1994.
Currently, I’m setting up a lot of my analogue synths like the Juno 106, JP-8000, Nordlead 2 etc (which btw are my three favorite hardware pieces) because they’ve been unplugged over two years. I’ve recorded analogue synths one by one. But now I need to take time out to set it all up elegantly.

My go-to soft synths are Spire, Dune and Nexus - and there’re great synths embedded in Logic as well - but I’m a big user also of the Westwood Piano libraries and Lunaris 2 pads. I have many synths but these are my preferred ones. I dont use Serum and Sylenth as much as I understand others do.
 

Can you share one production tip?
Practice! That’s it. There are no short cuts.
 

What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
I’ve been influenced by many people - in particular from the UK scene. If I’m glancing through my life, there are three artists that have had a greater influence than others - and that’s Pet Shop Boys, Paul Oakenfold and Above & Beyond. But I’d feel wrong if I didn’t also mention Thrillseekers, Transa and Lange.
 

What are some upcoming events or projects you are excited about?
I’m constantly suffering from a bad conscience because I say yes to too many projects. I guess I’m over-optimistic in regards to production time - but I work much with Helena Kristiansson and she keeps my head above water. We do thorough prioritizing and planning together.

Helena and I have a follow-up to “Best Day” coming with Snowman in the Autumn. I’m excited for that. Plus Helena and I have a handful of things in the making which we cannot speak publicly about yet. Then I have a handful of progressive solo tracks in final phase of production.
I’d really like also to do a second artist album to follow up on “Continuum”. But realistically, this will be in 2027.
 

Where can we find out more about your music?
I’m trying to keep both my Instagram and Facebook updated. But the best way is really to check Jox on Spotify or whatever platform you prefer.