Interview
(by Stephen the Northern Monkey)

Stephen - First off, how did you get into production?

Joni – Well when I was about 10-11 I started listening to Scooter a lot, who are nowadays known as cheese masters heh, but back then they did some really nice productions. And I was influenced about this, so I got our old keyboard in the basement working and started learning myself stuff. Later on, when I was about 12 I started using ReBirth and bought myself a MC-303, and harassed my neighbors playing my remixes and tunes trough my open window during summers. Later on I just evolved I guess, the natural way.

Stephen - What were your initial influences from the start of your productions till now, and why?

Joni - Scooter, of course. And my parents, who have supported me both economically and mentally, giving me every chance I could to do what I loved so much (and still do). But it was Scooters sound back in the late 90s that really got me into electronic music and I knew right away that, that was what I wanted to do. Later on I also got heavily influenced by guys like Ron Van Den Beuken, Armin and Ferry Corsten (usual suspects), who brought me into the Dutch trance scene, where I can say, find myself today.

Stephen - Can we expect to see any future projects with them?

Joni – Eh, I'd really hope so! In the direction Scooter have gone I think that might be impossible hehe, but collaborating with Ferry Corsten would definitely be a great thing, hopefully he calls me up someday and says "Joni get your ass in my studio now!" I'd come right away!

Stephen - What are you currently working on... any "exclusive" gossip for MPFS members?

Joni - There's a new project I'm doing, its secret so far. And won't be revealed after it's release either, hehe, let's just say it's a collaboration with someone known to progsters out there. Besides that, the third Ljungqvist-single and a new breakbeat project is on its way! I like to mix around with different types of electronic music! And, I don't want to count them all but there are currently 10 signed (!) projects including me that are going to be released, and the new Bakke & Ljungqvist has just been finished so we're waiting for Armada to respond on that one!

Stephen - What studio equipment are you currently working with?

Joni - I'm based around a simple setup in my basement. I run Cubase SX 2.0 on my PC and have a decent pair of monitors for monitoring (obviously!). Then I still have my trustworthy MC-303, but its collecting dust at the moment, as well is my Korg EA-1, my Zoom RFX-1000 (rackeffect). The only hardware I really use now is my Roland E-36 keyboard (for acoustic recording and midi keyboard) and my mixer. But sometimes I like to bring in the Korg EA-1. However I'm trying to get rid of the MC-303 so anyone who wants to buy it give me a call, haha!

Stephen - You produce under 'Ljungvist' and 'LNQ', what do the different aliases mean to you?

Joni - Eh, well "Ljungqvist" is my short name. There's a story behind these two particular aliases. Seeing as I'm only 17 (16 when I signed some of my projects) I really didn't know exactly what I was signing up for (which is a bad idea in the end), so I signed some projects exclusively. Ljungqvist and LNQ pretty much were going to be the same sounding, only thing was though that after I signed with Bonzai, I sent a "Ljungqvist-tune" to another label, and got my ass blown for that. Anyway, LNQ is a short for Ljungqvist because I signed with another label than Bonzai. But what they mean for me, hmm, I've noticed I've collected too many aliases lately, so in the future I'm definitely going to put more work into Ljungqvist, LNQ and also the JPL alias, because those are the ones that really count for me.

Stephen - People have mentioned, particularly on our website, that you are one of their 'fave producers of 2005'. How do you respond to that so early in your production career?

Joni – Wow! I had no clue...well, just like every teenager, I have my up and downs. So when people tell me that they love my music, and especially mention me as one of their favorites in the scene, it just warms my heart and I can tell, it floods with love to all of you out there. Music is just such a passion, and I'm glad I can bring some warmth and love to some people out there who like my "art"...it's just an amazing thing.

Stephen - How did it feel to have one of your tracks released as part of Tiesto's ISOS4, and how has it benefited you?

Joni - When I first got the news, I was like "Oh my god!” it was really overwhelming. Everything has happened so fast in such a short time, but I gotta say that's one of the most important things ever for me. Just being on one of the magical ISOS-compilations, is a dream come true. And the day I got the information I was shaky, I jumped around a lot and probably had about 20 cups of coffee! It was really that big! And the benefit of it, wow, it really got my name out, and people saw that a 17 year old was on ISOS4, and the days after that I got so many e-mails and even some fan letters in the family’s mailbox, haha, so personally I have got some great experiences from it, and for my career it's a really important thing.

Stephen - Can you tell us a little about your forthcoming release(s) on Connected?

Joni – Sure! It's called Joni - Things I Never Tell You. The background story (as in all my tunes, there's a background story taken from my real life) is about white lies, and the way you get hurt from them, and I feel that I got the sort of melancholic feel to this one. And this one started out as collaboration with Hydroid, but that project was going down, so I had these feelings, took away Hydroids parts and made it a tune of myself. And this package will probably be out in November with a Signalrunners Remix for the dance floor and a more progressive trip with the Matthew Adams & Dennis Feldmann Remix. So keep your eyes open!

Stephen – What path do you hope to take over the next 12 months, any particular targets?

Joni - Ah, seeing as it's now about a year since me and Terje signed our debut "Fanatic" it has all been a great trip. And I just started my last year in school, so I will focus on this one, and possibly try to educate myself more in a musical direction in the future. I will try to keep up the phase with my productions and enjoy the music as much as I can. Particular targets would be to get some international gigs and hopefully collaborate with some of my "idols" in the future, I guess I'll just have to wait and see!

Stephen - Having become established as a rising star of the Trance genre, do you hope to replicate that with DJ'ing?

Joni – Well I don't DJ at the moment, never even given it a real try. But DJing has always seemed like a fun thing. I really wouldn't care if I wouldn't get gigs, but like I said, it seems like a fun way of getting people to enjoy the music they like, and also a way for the DJ himself to fill the full energy and joy himself.

Stephen - Anything lined up?

Joni – Well, seeing as I don't DJ, I don't really have any gigs lined up, heh. Although I get asked a lot if I can come and spin or do a guest mix for radio shows, but I guess people just have to wait for me to get into DJ'ing, haha.

Stephen – Thanks for your time Joni, any last comments for our visitors?

Joni - Keep doing your thing, and do what you love. And thank you so very much for all the support, I make music for you, and as long as both I can bring a smile to you and myself I will keep doing it. Take care people!

Abora Records

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