Earlier this month, the North London artist Joviale released Mount Crystal, a record that was first conceived as a murder mystery narrative. That initial burst of inspiration would serve as the conceptual grounding for a lot of the music that she would go on to make for the project. If you had to describe it all with a single sentence, it could go like this: The record is a Lynchian take on funky rock music that is as inspired by Prince as it is by Kate Bush. But that wouldn’t really do this music justice, so it might be wise to just press play. Read our interview with the artist below. Mount Crystal is out now on Ghostly International.

You first conceptualized your new album as a murder mystery narrative. Could you tell us a bit about that story?

Joviale: Mount Crystal is a visual album, but just with the music ha ha! The campy murder mystery is the anchor behind a lot of the stylistic choices in the production. I worked with a lot of different people so having a clear brief that could bring all the ideas together, really helped to create the same setting for each session. One day I’ll have the resources to bring it to life but for now focus on the climb and the descent the album takes you on. 

How do you get in the zone to cut vocals? Do you have any conceptual techniques that you feel lead to a great performance?

I didn’t really have a method for vocals, I had so much time, so I tried many different things. I think talking really helped when I’d tell whoever it was what we were trying to do, we would speak a lot of what role they’re playing before they’d play. They’d develop their own story which would really influence their angle. It was really fun how imaginative it really got. 

The production work on your new album is so detailed, with a lot of nice, for lack of better words here, “ear candy” that helps to support the track. How do you know when the production on a song is done?

I’m really the worst person to ask this question. It’s just instinct. There was no rule.

What does the Mount Crystal-era live show look like?

I’ve been working with Movement Director, Asantewa Aboah, on developing my character. I’m hoping to be a lot less shy on stage, the music won’t allow it. I want to live up to how bold I’ve been musically. 

You seem to be interested in aesthetics that look back to previous decades in a sort of uncanny way. Who are some of your major visual influences on videos like “HARK!” and “Let Me Down”?

Janet Jackson, Madonna, Prince, Paris Burning, Prince, Sheila E, Vanity, Twin Peaks, Michael Jackson, Wendy and Lisa, anything Shelley Duval was in the 70’s, musical numbers of the 60s. 

We have to ask: What’s your favorite Prince song and why?

Right now it’s “The Beautiful Ones” or “I Wish U Heaven.” Those songs just really pull a heart string that becomes hard to recover from. Addictive.

It’s only fair: What’s your favorite Michael Jackson song and why?

This is really an impossible question to answer. His music is so engraved in my being ha hah! Let's say right now it’s: "Stranger in Moscow." I think I’ve already listened to it five times today. 

You only have a single day in London, but it’s a day off. What are you doing?

If it’s a sunny day, I’ll meet a friend I can be quiet with at the Heaths with a picnic and bring my book and journal and stay there the whole afternoon. Maybe meet some friends in the evening go to a gig, or a barbecue something like that. If it’s rainy/cold, maybe go to the Barbican cinema in the afternoon on my own, meet friends later for a gig or a party depends what’s on.

Photo Credit: Aqsa Qureshi