"Happiness is also something you must work for." Serving Fresh Sounds: 7 Questions with JOA

“Writing songs also became an emotional outlet for me. Whenever I felt overwhelmed, I’d write about the different situations to calm myself down.” This is how the debut single “I Don’t Want Nobody But Your Body” by the young Oslo-born artist JOE came to be. To process the feelings after a breakup, she poured her heart out: “I don’t want nobody but your body I’m not to find your body in somebody else So stay a little longer I’m not ready To let go of you fully yet.” With a beautifully clear and empathetic voice, and a musical backdrop almost reduced to a minimum, JOE takes us through her story, which could be any of ours.

About her debut EP that is set for release at the start of 2025 she reveals: “It’s very lyrically orientated,” she says, “and it’s only really played with instruments in the room. It’s very organic – but it has a pop structure, and the writing is pop. Melodically, it’s a little folky too.”

We spoke with her about her love for organic and intimate-sounding productions, her passion for storytelling and making people feel something through performing, and her great strength of finding comfort in her own company.

Photography by Hedda Rysstad

Your debut single “I Don’t Want Nobody But Your Body” is a very personal song about a breakup. In what way did the song help you, and how do you feel when you hear it today?

Going through a breakup, “I don’t want nobody but your body” became a place for me to be honest and in a way,owning my own vulnerability. After I wrote the song it became kind of a strength I gained while I was losing someone I loved. When I listen to it now, I still feel a lot of the emotions I was going through at the time, but it’s more like reading my old diary. I feel proud of the song because it reminds me of a chapter in my life I moved through and it shows how much I’ve grown since I wrote it.

You have a theatrical background, can you tell us a bit more about that? And how did you come to music?

I’ve always been drawn to storytelling and making people feel something through preforming. I was fascinated by the way theater can transform you, how you can step into someone else’s shoes and tell a story that resonates with people. It felt like a very natural transition writing songs after playing theater. According to me, I feel like playing theater and singing songs is very similar. The only difference is that I’m now the one who writes the stories. Writing songs also became an emotional outlet for me. Whenever I felt overwhelmed, I’d write about the different situations to calm myself down.

“Self-doubt, insecurities and realizing that you must find out what you want to do with your life are all challenging questions that people my age and younger struggle with.”

Your debut album is coming out in 2025, and you’ve already shared a little, saying it’s very lyrically oriented, organic, and even a bit folky. Why did you want it to have a folky sound as well? What connection do you have to folk music?

When I started writing the EP I didn’t really intend for it to geta folky sound, it just happened. Although when I was growing up, I had a lot of family around me writing music, and they would always present their songs using a guitar or a piano. I think that made me aware of the impact a good melody and lyrics have on a song. I’m also a sucker for organic and intimate sounding productions. And thanks to my amazing producers Henrik Skaarnæs Olstad, Martin Thomassen and Odd Martin Skålnes – I got exactly what I hoped for.

The songs are about romantic relationships, positive self-talk, and the idea of not knowing what you have until it’s gone. Let’s stick with positive self-talk for a moment: what are the things you like most about yourself?

I would say that I really like my ability to find comfort in my own company. It’s easy getting caught up in self-doubt, especially in relationships but also while navigating life, but the fact that I can find peace and have fun in my own company also helps me calm myself down in difficult situations.

“The fact that I can find peace and have fun in my own company also helps me calm myself down in difficult situations.”

Does the song “Golden Years” talk about the end of your teenage years? If so, how hard is it for you to let go of that time, and what shaped your teenage years the most? What did you find most challenging during that time?

Kind of! I wrote golden years during covid and the frustration I felt not being able to meet any of my friends or experience my teenage years in the way that I wanted to. Of course it is difficult letting go of that time. I love looking back at my old memories. But I’m also really looking forward to making new memories during my 20´s. I feel like writing songs is what shaped my teenage years the most. I would stay at home from parties just to write because I enjoy it so much, so it became and still is a huge part of me. The challenges I faced are probably what everyone else is facing during their teenage years. Self-doubt, insecurities and realizing that you must find out what you want to do with your life are all challenging questions that people my age and younger struggle with.

“Happiness is also something you must work for.”

How do you envision the next few years – what are you most looking forward to?

The next few years, for me, are all about growth and connection. One of the things I’m most excited about is performing my songs live. There’s nothing like the energy of a live audience. Being able to share that space with people who feel connected to my music is something I’m really looking forward to. I’m also excited to write more music. I’m constantly inspired by new experiences, relationships, and emotions. I can’t wait to see where my sound evolves and how my stories will continue to unfold.

What does happiness mean to you?

That’s a big question (haha). My happiness means everything to me. It makes such a difference in any given situation. If I feel positive and happy during a studio session I can always write and come up with new ideas but on the other hand when I’m not as happy, I get self-conscious and doubt myself a lot, making it impossible to be creative and have fun. To me happiness is all about finding balance and feeling connected to myself, others and what I am creating. During the moments where everything is in sync, I feel like I can fully express myself and feel connected to the music. Something that is impossible without happiness. I also really find it motivating to think about the fact that people one day will listen to my vulnerable thoughts and emotions that I’ve written and find peace and comfort in the words I use.
Happiness is also something you must work for. When I’m anxious I always try to find time to sit down and write positive things about me and the situation I’m in. It makes a huge difference for me, and it is something that I truly need.