JOIA & Sol Elicio on Hardware, Fast Workflows & "Searching for a Dancefloor" Energy | Faux Poly Interviews
One at the computer, one on the synths. The Portland duo break down their fast-moving collaborative process and the "searching for a dancefloor" energy of their new EP.
Some collaborations take years to click. JOIA and Sol Elicio knew after a couple of studio sessions. Now, the Portland-based producers are bringing their dynamic, hardware-driven sound to Faux Poly tracks built on trust, speed, and a shared willingness to drop an idea if it isn't flowing.
Q: Hey guys, can you give us a bit of background on where you’re from and how you first got into music?
JOIA: I’m originally from Seattle, WA. I started my production career in 2012 in California and lived between SF and LA for 10 years before making my way back up north. I first got into music as a kid playing the drums, but spent my whole teens listening to / playing metal and hardcore music. When I went to college in Socal I discovered raves and realized all my favorite breakdowns in metal music I was listening to were electronic / dance music inspired. After I discovered Ableton, I was immediately hooked - the rest is history!
Sol Elicio: I grew up In Eugene, OR. I first discovered my passion for music by joining band in middle school as a percussionist. Soon after I was in Jazz band on the drum kit performing. At 15, I was thrown into a small but vibrant dance music scene where I discovered my love for electronic music. I started Dj’ing vinyl, mostly house and techno. I cracked a version of Ableton 10 on my school laptop and began producing.
Q: How did you two first connect and start working together?
We first were connected via a mutual friend in the scene and quickly realized we shared the same passion for underground dance music - after a couple of sessions in the studio that just clicked we knew we had something special going!
What does your workflow look like when you’re making music together - is it in the studio or more back and forth?
We usually work in the studio together at JOIA’s place. Our workflow generally consists of one person at the computer (tracking drums, vocal chops, recording, etc) while the other person plays out ideas (which we record in real time) on synths, modular equipment, etc. We try to focus on workflow above anything else - getting the idea “on paper” and arranged as quickly as possible.
Q: What do you admire most about each other’s approach when making music together?
JOIA: Sol is a crazy DJ and has a really incredible ear for what works and doesn’t, both from a mix perspective as well as arrangement. I love how quickly he bangs out ideas, and equally how quickly he’s down with moving on if it isn’t flowing. It creates a really dynamic and fast feel that I relate with.
Sol Elicio: I’ve never met anyone as disciplined and dedicated as Max (JOIA) His ability to fully immerse himself in his music is unmatched. I love the way he can hear a single idea and turn into a full song in such a short time. His workflow is something I truly admire and study.
Q: What kind of feeling were you trying to create with that “searching for a dancefloor” energy?
We wanted to create something that drew you in with an exciting intro that feels almost like you’re outside of the club or near a loud sound system at a festival, and you hear a song start to come in that piques your interest - so you just have to get closer and check it out.
Q: You mentioned using the Dave Smith Pro 2 - what draws you to that synth in particular?
Sol’s mentor gave him a Pro 2 a while back and he brought it over to my (JOIA) studio and I fell in love with it immediately - so much so that I ended up getting one myself. The wave table options for the synth as well as the 4 delays and LFO’s and absolutely insane built in distortion is worth it alone - but I also love the feedback module - combining all of those things yields really exciting, warm pads but also just nasty bass patches / arps, too.
Q: What do you think hardware gives you that you don’t get from plugins?
Having it right in front of you and not having to click through a (sometimes) confusing digital interface is one thing that comes to our mind. Also just the tones - analog sound has a much more raw, authentic feel to it as opposed to most digital emulations, and also twisting physical knobs is fun!
Q: What’s exciting you both most in electronic music right now?
JOIA: I’m loving a lot of the stuff coming out of the UK right now - two names that come to mind in particular are Joy Orbison (the goat) and Overmono.
Sol Elicio: For me it’s how progressive and futuristic sound design is getting, which is related to recent advancements in production technology. I’m also digging the uptempo stuff that’s been coming out recently. Two labels I love that are pushing exactly that are Cloudcore and Pretty Weird.
Q: What’s next for the both of you - anything you can tell us about what’s coming up?
We’re playing Bass Coast in Canada in July! We also have another EP in the works for the Los Angeles record label All the People.
