JUJU is the musical vehicle and band of Sicilian multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter and producer GIOELE VALENTI. He is also the man behind Herself, a folktronica project that involved the likes of Mercury Rev‘s frontman Jonathan Donahue, John Fallon of The Steppes and Amaury Cambuzat of Faust and Ulan Bator.
On March 15 JUJU release their new, 4th album, titled APOCALYPSE IS GOD’S SPOILER (kooky title, I love it). It will only be available on vinyl and digitally. Pre-order info HERE.
It’ll feature two exceptional guests: Chad Channing who was the first drummer of
grunge icons Nirvana and Luca Giovanardi from Italian psych combo Julie’s Haircut.
TUTV: First things first. I’m a longtime JUJU fan (Our Mother Was A Plant still is a classic space-psych album in my book), I saw them play live a couple of times and interviewed mastermind and gentleman Gioele Valenti last March after Juju‘s gig in my hometown of Ghent. So news of new JUJU music always make my greedy ears longing to hear it.
That said, let’s talk about the LP’s first taster. Cosmic Fall is a trance-inducing
psychedelic trip vibed-up with choir chants that create a gospel-like atmosphere
and a short rap injection near the end. The ongoing Krautrock percussion dynamics
are the bongoing backbone of this magnetizing jam, while crystalline guitar sparks
float around like glimmering stars in the sky. Mind-pleasing, dream-triggering, and
mood-elevating as always. Bring on the album.
It’s PART 6 of Turn Up The Volume‘s yearly hot summer playlists.
A mix of new and old tunes. A mix of adrenalin-infused punk/rock
anthems, dance fireworks, and some moony musings to end the
party when the sun comes up.
Italian singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalistGIOELE VALENTI is a busy musical bee. He’s the mastermind of spellbinding psych acts JUJU and HERSELF and he regularly works with fellow Italian artist Nicola Sanguin of Lay Llamas. He also toured and recorded with the wonderful duo Jonathan Donahue/Grasshopper of the supreme band Mercury Rev recently.
A couple of weeks ago JUJU played my hometown of Ghent (Belgium) again and we had
a chat focused on his newest album made withLay Llamasand namedFlag Of Breeze.
But first, as usual, we start an interview with a slice of music. Here’s one of my
favorite Juju songs, it’s from the excellent 2nd LP Our Mother Was A Plant.
Hello Gieole,
great to meet you again
You operate under two different monikers: JUJU and HERSELF.
Why, Gioele? Different music and/or different musicians?
“I think that at the basis of my training there are such heterogeneous listenings,
from folk to post-punk, that I immediately found it necessary to split into several
artistic personalities.
Different sound perspectives for the same artistic identity. Call it, if you will, sonic schizophrenia or company of artistic sub-personalities. I’ve always made my records myself. Of course, live, both Herself and JUJU become a real band.”
Which track would you pick from your work – overall – to introduce
yourself to people who never heard of you ?
“I think a good synthesis of JUJU’s sound, we find it in the song We Spit On Yer Grave, from the debut album… you can find everything in it. From new wave to post-punk; from indie pop to shoegaze. It still sounds very good to my hyper-critical ears!”
New mini-album FLAG OF BREEZE is a collaborative one with Lay Llamas (Nicola Giunta) You worked with LL before. What connects you both?
“It’s a long story… rooted in twenty years, I think. Nicola and I met at the time of Herself‘s first records. Nicola came to one of my concerts, if I remember correct-ly, in my city. And we immediately became friends. Lay Llamas is a Nicola‘s idea, and when he started taking his first steps, he immediately involved me, more or less.
Our most nourished collaboration takes shape in the Ostro (Rocket Re-cordings) album. From time to time, we like to make a record together, like the latest Goud, or the Flag Of Breeze collaboration. Between me and Nicola, in addition to a long-standing friendship, there is an extraordinary artistic affinity. In the work of the Lay Llamas, a perfect chemistry is unleashed, which neither he nor I can explain on rational grounds. I think it’s “simply”
a kind of alchemy.”
Lay Llamas’ Nicola Sanguin
Are all songs created together, lyrically and sonically?
“Normally the work with LL takes happens in the following way. Nicola sends me a sonorous canvas, or a definite structure. I write the lyrics and record my vo-cals, some arrangements, guitars, and synthesizers and then he polishes everything to a strong, typically LL aesthetic. It often works like this… but it’s not a rule. Sometimes everything
is already clear enough. Other times, we have no idea where the songs will lead us.”
Are all tracks connected or does each one stands on its own?
“As for my writing part on Flag Of Breeze, in agreement with Nicola, there is a universalist inspiration, which I am not afraid to define as pacifist. the whole record is lavished by this utopia of brotherhood, which is not mannerism, but a yearning pure, sincere. Fully aware that our world is falling apart under the yoke of truly negative powers.”
I like the artistic image on the album’s cover, although I have
no idea what it means? Is there a story behind, Gioele?
“The aesthetic part of the cover is totally Nicola‘s prerogative.
I can only tell that, yes, I like it!”
Which movie would be perfect to have your music as its soundtrack?
“A film whose story is written by Tom Robbins and whose photography is han-dled by John Alcott! Naturally, I would see Lucifer directing, the most misunder-stood angel of all!”
Painting by Alexandre Cabanel named ‘Ange Dechu’ (The Fallen Angel) in 1847
If you could collaborate on a new record with
a big name artist, who would it be and why?
“You know, I feel like a craftsman. I even have a hard time thinking of myself with a “big” name. There are so many artists that I love… I think with Mike Scott of the Waterboys. I loved them so much that I sanded my heart. Simply, because they are a part of me.”
I know you like to play live, so the lockdown years must have been
a pain in the ass. How did you cope with that Covid-19 period?
“Yes, that was a very painful time. As for everyone, by the way.
I think JUJU is a machine that express itself at his best in live dimension.
Yes, I really missed the live dimension. But I’m a fatalist, and I think everything
happens for a reason. And here we are again.”
A couple of weeks you played in my hometown of Ghent in Belgium again.
It looked/sounded as if you and the band were happy to be back on stage
despite car problems the day before.
“Sure, man. We were coming off a date in Bordeaux and were on our way to Beaumont.
We had this bad, but not serious, accident. We missed a date. But we caught up with Ghent. A city that we love and have played many times.
We were happy to play this concert organized by Sven Van Daele. Sven is a fan and a great person. We are always very happy to play in Belgium. A place where we feel at home.
March 9 – Ghent, Belgium – photo by TUTV
Any plans to work or tour with Mercury Rev again?
“Oh man. Yes I’d really like. We catch up with Jonathan: (note: Jonathan Donahue
is Mercury’s Rev charismatic singer/frontman) from time to time, like old friends.
They are extraordinary artists and very special human be-ings. Maybe…”
Gioele’s Herself project feat. Jonathan Donahue
What’s the next step for Gioele Valenti
and his different projects/collaborations?
“There’s something brewing… but I’m not the type to open
my mouth before things are done. Fingers crossed.”
Buy/stream FLAG OF BREEZE
here via Bandcamp.
. Thank you Gioele for this interview.
May the road rise with Juju/Herself.
Band: JUJU Who: The project of Italian
multi-instrumentalist Gioele Valenti
“Sicilian multi-instrumentalist and producer is a key figure of the European underground music scene. He is one half of acclaimed Occult Psych project Llay Lamas (Rocket Recordings). He is the man behind Herself, a folktronica project that involved the likes of Jonathan Donahue of Mercury Rev, John Fallon of The Steppes and Amaury Cambuzat of Faust and Ulan Bator. He was also the guitarist of Josefin Öhrn + The Liberation. Most importantly, he is the creator of
the unclassifiable JuJu. Championed by Goatman and Capra Informis of GOAT, JuJu have already released three albums (two of which with Fuzz Club Records) and left a permanent mark in the international Psychedelic scene and beyond.”
“JuJu are known for their signature sound merging their Mediterranean influences with styles like Afrobeat, Krautrock, Psychedelia (Occult Psych) and Art Rock. This new album marks a shift to a much more “western” imagery, combining Post Punk, Shoegaze, Darkwave, Industrial, Synthpop, R’n’R with Dance, Club and Disco. Sonically, JuJu have somehow migrated from the South to the North, but without losing the mystical knowledge and experience gathered in their previous wanderings.”
Four years after mind-boggling album Our Mother Was A PlantGioele Valenti and
his alter ego project Jujureturn with La Que Sabe. And he’s still playing with our minds with his ongoing groove-tastic jams, with his psychedelia-fueled extravaganza and
24-hour party trips.
From the infectious, repetitive electro-driven rocket Not This Time to the fade-out of closing cut Beautiful Mother Juju pushes your adrenalin production in overdrive. The transcendent vibrations of Nothing Endures, Could You Believe and She’s Perfect put a Krautrock spell on you, Walk The Line has an energetic panache while its haunting choir-like vocals resonate like a manic mantra and Seven Days In The Sun has a soothing effect. Don’t be afraid, all these sonic drug injections are legal.
Still, looking for the soundtrack to dance 2021 away with next week?
Trust me, stop looking, here’s all your mind, heart and soul, and body needs.
Album: JUJU – 4th LP Released: June 1981 – 40 years ago
Steve Severin (guitarist/producer): “Juju was the first time we’d made a “concept”
album that drew on darker elements. It wasn’t pre-planned, but, as we were writing, we saw a definite thread running through the songs, almost a narrative to the album as a whole”.
AllMusic said: “The upfront intensity of Juju probably isn’t matched anywhere else in the catalog of Siouxsie and the Banshees. Thanks to its killer singles, unrelenting force, and invigorating dynamics, Juju is a post-punk classic.” Full review here. Score: 4/5.
Artist:JUJU Who: Italian multi-dimensional psych explorer and
hypnotizing groove Gioele Valenti Album: MAPS AND TERRITORY / Third LP Sound: An enthralling 40-min expedition of trance-like vibrations, ecstatic vibe-o-rama trips, sonic expansions and ongoing hypnotizing experiences. Frontierless euphony inspired by a relentless search for universal happiness via tantalizing jams that uplifts troubled hearts, revitalizes confused souls and tranquilizes disoriented minds. Top LP!
After his sensitive alter ego Herself released the beautifully intimate album Playground Rigel last year, Italy’s multi-instrumentalist Gioele Valenti returns with his psychedelic groove project JUJU. Third longplayer MAPS AND TERRITORY will be released at the end of next month viaFuzz Club Records.
Ahead of it comes new track I’M IN TRANCE featuring Swedish rhythm wizard Goat. An infectious, repetitive electro-driven groove with a pulsating cadence going on like forever while blurry vocals hovering all over the tribal African beats. Midway a 60s Hendrix like guitar sequence gives the throbbing and trippy flow an electrical shot before this multi-layered eurythmics gets back to its transcendent vibrations tripping in your head by now. Capture the mind-pleasing and otherworldly ride right here…
Turn Up The Volume saw about 150 acts playing live this past year. Here are the 15 Knockout Performances that made his body temperature going way up, made his adrenalin stream faster and had a lasting impact on his greedy ears & impressed eyes.
1. THE FLAMING LIPS – Melkweg, Amsterdam – 11 November – Review here
2. SLOWDIVE – Cactus Brugge Festival – 15 July – Review here
3. IDLES – De Zwerver, Leffinge, Belgium – 2 November – Review here
4. JOHNNY MARR – Trix Club, Antwerp – 7 December – Review here
5. FONTAINES D.C. – Botanique, Brussels – 4 May – Review here
6. NOEL GALLAGHER – Vorst National, Brussels – 6 April
7. THE GLÜCKS – Ghent Fest – 19 July – Review here
8. RUMOURS – Cosa Nostra, Aalst – 21 April – Review here
9. JUJU – Kinky Star, Ghent – 18 February – Review here
10. PEUK – De Kleine Kunst, Ghent – 8 September – Review here
11. AUTOBAHN – Kinky Star, Ghent – 11 February – Review here
12. FALLING MAN – Ghent Fest – 14 July – Interview here
13. PERE UBU – 4 AD, Diksmuide – 1 June – Review here
14. TUBELIGHT – Charlatan, Ghent – 23 March – Review here
15. PINK ROOM – Kinky Star, Ghent – 3 March – Review here
From the beautiful city of Palermo in Italy, here’s… JUJU
Experienced and eclectic singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist GIOELE VALENTI is the ingenious mastermind behind spellbinding psych collective JUJU. Valenti is not only an exquisite musician but also a fascinating, broad-minded human being with a multicolored vision on mankind’s past, present and future. The way he combines astonishing soundscapes with profound reflections on our troubled planet is nothing less than remarkable. Last year Juju released OUR MOTHER WAS A PLANT LP. A trippy work of transcendent vibrations. From cinematic Pink Floyd echoes to Hawkind‘s spacey escapades and some king-sized Massive Attack jams in between. After seeing/meeting signor Valenti last month in my hometown Ghent (Belgium) where the band played an impressive set we got in touch for this interview. Let’s start the acquaintance first with one of the highlights of the LP…
. Welcome Gioele at Turn Up The Volume!…
1/ You were in several bands before, Gioele. When and why did you start the JuJu project ? “Back in 2015. The reason is always the same, I think: to make music without frontiers. In this case, I just wanted to say something on the migration of masses we’re facing in this particular historical moment. Sicily is one of the poles of the crisis, in the Mediterranean, we have been defined as the ‘gate of Europe‘… a term with a very ambiguous semantic value, because it could conceal a discharge of responsibility from a political point of view. Anyway, I think that migration of bodies, languages, symbols are a very fertile soil for an artist’s imagination.”
2/ What’s the story behind the project’s name? “Juju is a West African word. It refers to a system of belief. JuJu can be a spell, can be incorporated objects, amulets… It sounds good, with its powerful witchy meaning. I love playing with symbols.”
3/ When did you know “this is how I want to sound, this is what I want to tell the world”? “Mmm, it’s quite hard. Riding on a highway with God as co-pilot, facing the hell of passion and the transcendence of a free-form spirit. I’m a songwriter, and I’m a drop in an ocean, so I’m just following the path of my predecessors, with a light in my head and an abyss of shadows behind. Sorry, I know it may sound a little naïve, but I cannot define myself better than this.”
4/ Only two months in the new year and I already saw two great Italian bands play Belgium (Secret Sight and JuJu) and I interviewed two (The Bankrobber and Japan Suicide). Is that a coincidence or is a new Italian wave on its way to conquer Europe? “When I hear “conquer” I’m scared. It has to do with a tradition with which we have to break. I feel closer to the spirit of Renaissance. Sweetness, otherness proposal, brotherhood in the beauty. As an Italian, I can only claim an aesthetic supremacy over the pettiness of politics. Anyway, it’s great to see great Italian bands around, sure.”
5/ Which song would you pick as Juju’s signature track? “‘In A Ghetto’, I think. It’s the one with my friend Capra Informis from Goat at the djembé. I think it incorporates all the magic I’m just trying to express with JuJu. I hear on that track the feminine power of soil and a mood that is close to a Mercurial point of view. The transformation is the point. We are all living in a ghetto, in a way. Call it drugs, sex, technology… we are not free as human beings. It’s sad.”
6/ What’s the story behind the album’s title ‘Our Mother Was A Plant’ and how is it related to the music and to the image on the LP’s front sleeve? “I was reading a lot of beat literature. I love the lysergic aspects of life, and I think that we should demonstrate more respect for plants… they are very ancient beings, more powerful than we think. The relation with the cover instead is more subtle. If we’d be able to expand our consciousness over a routine world, we would find a deep connection. No separation, no sexism, no racism, in a word brotherhood. There’s a Maya greeting called ‘In Lak’ech’, it means ‘I am another yourself‘. The ‘A Chosen Few’ was the first motorcycle club made by black people. They opened to white people. I think that is a very successful experiment of integration. Al those meanings mixed together make sense to me. Tout se tient, they say in France.”
Artwork album…
7/ JuJu’s music covers a whole range of psychedelic genres and is influenced by several decades of mind-expanding music. Is it also a reflection of your private record collection? “Definitely. I love music and I live through rhythm. JuJu is a tribute to the great music I have grown up with. From Mozart to Joy Division, Tom Waits, John Zorn, Dead Kennedys, Misfits, Billy Idol, The Cure, Janis Joplin, The Jesus And Mary Chain, The Telescopes, Procol Harum, The Doors, AC/DC, Pink Floyd, Angelo Branduardi, Ligeti, Ennio Morricone, Grieg and so on and on…”
8/ What movie would you pick to visualize JuJu’s music on a big screen on stage when playing a show? “Lord Of The Flies, 1963. The human being is flexible and adaptable. The deepest fears are the same everywhere.”
9/ If you could go back in time on which artist’s front door would you knock and ask to have a selfie together? “Italian painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. The hard part would be to explain the concept of a ‘selfie‘ to the master of portraits!”
Selfie-portrait of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio
10/ Plans for 2018? “I’m desperately planning to not make plans! As Woody Allen once said:’If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.'”
Many thanks for this highly interesting and rich interview, Gioele! Mat the road rise with you and Juju…
