Sweden’s melancholic voice, Jay-Jay Johanson, met with music lovers in Turkey as part of his new album tour, and we had a little chat with him for you before his concerts.
Where do you place Backstage in your career?
Backstage is like my other albums. So I can say it is a natural continuation of the previous album.
The name Backstage points to the invisible world behind the stage. What emotions or periods lie in the “background” of this album for you?
Yes, I wanted to invite the listeners into my private world, my “secret” room that no one else can access, which is more intimate and personal.
Which line was the most “challenging to write” for you on this album?
Let me think… I can say this one: How long do you think we can hold on?
You sing the Rimbaud song on the album in French. Why did you want to perform this song in French?
I’ve wanted to challenge myself in French for years; I was waiting for the right moment. I felt the time had come with this song. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll sing in Swedish.
Songwriting acts as therapy for you. As a result of this therapy, do your wounds go deeper, or do they heal?
I see the same old problems from different perspectives. These wounds have many layers, and healing is usually temporary.
Painting holds a special place for you. Does painting feed your musician side? Or do you draw inspiration for writing lyrics while painting?
I draw and paint as often as possible to catch my breath between touring and recording. Sometimes I show the results on album covers. Yes, it’s something necessary that can spark musical ideas or fragments of lyrics.
I read that your son also has a good sense of smell.
Yes, my son has a good nose. Maybe we will see him in that field in the future. I also have an interest in perfumes. Time will tell which path my son chooses for his future.
You are a musician who performs and tours frequently. For some musicians, traveling and waking up in a different country every morning can be exhausting and, after a while, boring. How do your travels make you feel?
I love traveling. I don’t just love traveling; I love meeting my audience. After concerts, I wish I could stay longer in every city, chat more, and get to know them better. As much as I can, I try to talk to new people and spend time with people who value my music in the cities I visit for concerts.
