Jonah Almost: CLEAN CUT
Where did you grow up?
I moved back to New York when I was 17. Feel like the bulk of my growing up was done here for sure.
I'm assuming that a lot of the music you listened to growing up is aligned with the music you make now. Who were some of those people?
It's funny cause I actually used to be a scene kid back in the day, I listened to a lot of alternative music: punk, post punk, hardcore etc...bands like Rancid, A Day To Remember, The Distillers. In highschool I loved hip hop coming out of the west coast – Odd Future, Lil B... Going to shows was my shit, and in many ways reminds me of the rave scene. I discovered mad music through the Tony Hawk video games too. But my interest in electronic music definitely came later.
What drew you to releasing this EP now — is it meant to be a summer listen like The Exhilaration?
I actually made Clean Cut at the end of last summer. Lowkey It's a luxury to be able to make a track and then release it immediately, especially as a smaller artist. You wanna maximize the attention your work gets. But at the same time, it always feels like you are releasing past versions of yourself to the world. "Clean Cut" is old to me, but new to you all.
Anyway it's both more and less summery than The Exhilaration, half of the songs were actually produced in the winter. My track with Rubby, "Selfish" definitely gives deep NYC winter moodiness but ironically will drop in August.
Where were you when working on the songs for this project?
Basically I've been in NYC for this whole project. But last summer I spent a lot of time in Berlin and Paris, losing myself, finding myself again type shit. I came back from that trip with all this existential angst... was both super inspired sonically, but like mad uninspired with my vision of myself as an artist. "Clean Cut" kind of emerged from that frustration.
What about “Clean Cut” made it feel right as the first single released from the project?
"Clean Cut" is special because it's like a personal mantra. I wanted to make a break up song but for breaking up with parts of the self that no longer serve you. A sonic reminder to the self. Dance music is so powerful for messages: the repetition and drums kind of take you to a spiritual place. So "Clean Cut" felt like a perfect vehicle to kind of show the world about my evolution as an artist and introduce them to my evolving sound.
What are you most excited about the music you’re making now?
I'm always working toward this personal goal of making fast music chill. "Clean Cut" is def meant to be loud and epic, but at the end of the song it switches to these lush sounding chords — a vision of a brighter future after this epic journey into the self. Dunno... I'm always trying to figure out how to make music that's 150+ bpm be relaxing and vibey – the other songs on this EP were made with that intention in mind and came out really sick. All that to say I'm excited about further honing that intention and sharing it with the world.
Where do you think techno is headed and what do you wish to contribute to that?
I think we're gonna see a return to Producer/MC/artist focused work, DJ's who are producing their own music, live acts being integrated into the rave etc. Feels like we are just on the cusp of this electronic music moment, especially in America. I wanna take that shit all the way to the top. Put people on to a genre of music they don't know about, or didn't know they would be into.
Who listens to Jonah Almost?
Gay guys and baddies for sure. My super fans are all these young gays in Europe/South America haha. But I wanna make music that speaks to everyone! I was speaking with a friend recently who called me a bi-con – I usually try to make my subject matter gender neutral because I want anyone to relate to it. Can be frustrating releasing music as a queer artist or whatever cause you get lumped into that box, but I'm rocking with whoevers fucking with me.
What are some of the backbones of your creative / music-making process?
Spliffs. My Universal Audio interface. The Korg legacy collection. Keyscape. Fabfilter. Oh and insomnia, I don't sleep much, most of my shit is made at like 5am while everyone sleeps.
What are you most obsessed with musically right now, and why?
I'm super inspired by Lone, right now and always. He's my dream collab and one of my biggest sonic inspirations. I just love how dreamy and aquatic his production is. If I could make something half as dreamy as him I'd be happy haha.
Where do you dance?
In my living room mostly. But I'm around the scene. Basement is always fun. My favorite party recently though is that one from Kay Gabriel and Seva Granik, Faggots are Women. Most fun I've had at a rave in so long.
What’s the worst tattoo you’ve seen in Brooklyn?
Haha off the top of my head I dunno... Think I saw a dude with a dick tattoo once. It was like an Elephant's face where his dick was the trunk. That was crazy.
Is there a song you have on repeat?
Where is the sun? By Blue Hawaii.
The video touches on the importance of collaboration in your personal journey as an artist. What was the process of creating this video with a team?
It was super seamless. Leaf and his team were a dream to work with, and everyone on set was so chill and supportive toward the vision. I feel like it's getting harder and harder to find people who are just down to collab and make something cool for the sake of making something cool. It was a group of people who came together to showcase their talents, be it me the artist or the film team. Even the Tarantula handlers Ryan and Juje were so down to just come in and help us make this. I'm super grateful.
How did the video come to fruition? What was it like working with Leaf?
Leaf is so major. He called me up and was like "Yo... would you be down to make an editorial with me?" He's a super talented director so when he started explaining his vision, and I shared my story about "Clean Cut", it was clear that he was tapped in and singular in his approach. The vibe on set was so wholesome and chill, everyone including me was just happy to be there. It's def the most produced video I've done which is really cool. Anyway I was mad grateful he reached out to me, so I came in hot that day to the studio ready to serve.
You mention “earnestness” in the video, which I feel people often associate with corniness. Are you afraid of being perceived a certain way?
Nah I dont give a fuuuuuuuck. Can't let that shit get in the way of putting yourself out there. Some people are gonna rock with you and others won't. It's impossible to be liked by everyone. I spent a lot of time in NYC trying to be liked and at a certain point it just holds you back. For me Jonah Almost has always had an element of performance art, creating a fantasy, a version of myself turned up to 10. What I said in the video about earnestness was in relation to this character building. Clean Cut is about severing ties to this persona that felt outdated, unaligned with who I have evolved into. Earnestness in that context meant being confident in just being myself. I'm just trying to keep this shit fun for me. It's my outlet.
