Up and coming musician, vocalist and graphic artist Joni Payne debuts her new track “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?” on Casablanca Sunset.
The song was inspired by the Al Green version of “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” which was originally recorded by the Bee Gees in 1971. Much like previous interpretations, Joni’s version explores the theme of lost love and alienation. Her sorrowful lyrics are matched with an amazingly simple and elegant instrumental.
The maturity in Joni’s soulful and r&b influenced voice elegantly floats over the top of a hip-hop inspired beat. The beat, carefully crafted by Mike Derenzo, features percussive finger snaps, MPC snares and piano riffs really turn this track into something cool, laid back and chill.
This is Joni’s second release to date and she’s gearing up for a handful of tunes to be released into 2016. Bright future!
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Joni took the time to answer a few questions for Casablanca Sunset. Below you will find a brief Q&A, detailing Joni’s current music, her production process and plans for the future.
Casablanca Sunset: How long have you been making music?
Joni Payne: I wrote my first song towards the end of high school, so a little over 5 yrs. I was at a summer painting intensive program at RISD and found an old piano in the basement of a dorm. I thought painting for a grade was stressful, so I needed a new way to express myself and started teaching myself on that piano late at night. I’d make up chord progression loops and record them as rough videos on the Photo Booth mac app, that way I could replay the videos to watch my hands and see what keys I played the night before.
CS: How would you describe your music to someone that has never heard it before?
JP: chill wave // RnB // new age // soul // electronic // jazz influence
CS:What does the production process look like?
JP: I’m evolving a lot and I like variety, so sometimes I’ll write in the room with producers and take it home, or I’ll work with demo tracks they send me, or I’ll start alone at the piano and fill in production later. The only consistency I’ve found so far is that I usually sing gibberish to come up with melodies. Then I start thinking about what I want to say/themes/conversations/questions etc. and usually end up freestyling something worthwhile that I can keep. After that it’s like filling in a puzzle.
The design aspect is really important to me too. I consider myself as much of a visual artist as I am a musician, so I create all my own album art and promotional design. Then I like to take it beyond that and find other ways to visually interpret the ideas I’m trying to convey.
For example, when I sang “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?”, I envisioned the lyrics as any perfect moment being ruined. I love old film, so I decided to dig up some footage that could match that concept. I found a clip of Katharine Hepburn from “Summertime” where she’s walking backwards looking through her camera, then ends up falling into the canal. To me, that’s the perfect depiction of the lyrics, because she’s so invested in the beauty of the moment through her lense that she doesn’t even realize she’s walking backwards into a disaster. I then took that concept into to my album art and covered my eyes in the design.
CS: What are some of you favorite new artists/bands in 2015?
JP: I like exposing myself to new music and seeing what’s out there (Corbin, The Internet, Travi$ Scott), but I tend to explore back in time more often. For example, some of my new music uses samples of classic jazz instruments and hip/hop drums because I’ve been on a Miles Davis and The Roots kick at the same time.
CS: Whats your take on Los Angeles and it’s music scene?
JP: I think there’s a lot of really beautiful and special art being made here, but unfortunately I think it is generally covered by a veil of bullsh*t. It is exciting to see though when the veil lifts.
CS: Plans for the future?
JP: New music, new designs, and new performances all in the works. I’m especially excited with my upcoming music/design/performance collaboration with Amadeus Magazine.
Thanks Joni!
Until next time, find more from Joni on her blog and facebook!