The tension between buoyant beats and lyrics that dive into more complex emotions is something Dutch–South African artist Joya Mooi uses with ease. So it is with her new single, Technicolour, where envy isn’t painted in one shade, but refracted into admiration, doubt, and self-discovery.
“Yes! I love the juxtaposition of sounds and lyrics not quite matching up. Especially with my music lately, I gravitate toward more danceable sounds these days. But I still crave substance,” she tells us.
From her reflections on balance and nature to her collaboration with Chicago’s Ric Wilson, Joya Mooi invites us into a world where contradictions are not resolved but celebrated. We sat down with her to talk about the making of Technicolour, her inspirations, and the stories she continues to spin into sound.
photography by Kenya Tay
Joya, so nice to have you with us! (smiles) The groove of your new song “Technicolour” is wonderfully uplifting, yet the theme is layered with doubt, envy, and admiration. Do you enjoy that tension — when the body wants to dance while the mind keeps questioning?
Yes! I love the juxtaposition of sounds and lyrics not quite matching up. Especially with my music lately, I gravitate toward more danceable sounds these days. But I still crave substance — so even if it might not sound obvious, it makes sense to me.
Was there a single lyric or line that unlocked the whole song for you?
Normally the first verse is where I really try to understand the feeling of a song, myself. That happened with “Technicolour” as well, especially with the concluding line: “Neighbours moving away, we just play the part.”
You collaborated with Ric Wilson on the single. How was it to work together with him?
It was really cool connecting with Ric — we’ve only met once in Amsterdam after a show more than a year ago. I was already a big fan, but after seeing him live with his energy and amazing vibe, I was really keen on collaborating. So I’m honored that he was willing to jump on “Technicolour”!
In an older interview you said, “I’ve always really liked music that was out there, that speaks something. Not only in an emotional or political way, but in sound as well. I like music that makes me feel alive or mad or happy.” I love that, because for me as a listener, music has to do exactly that — it has to make me feel something. Personally, I often prefer music that lifts me up when I need it — like “Technicolour” does. Do you remember a song from your childhood or teenage years that first gave you that sense of being “alive or mad or happy”?
“What About” by Janet Jackson put such light under my teenage angsty ass. I really felt alive — I felt her anger in that song. I felt the urgency in that track and kept it on repeat forever. As a kid, I had a hard time showing emotions. Music for me was always the way to listen within and connect with my emotions through the words of others at first.
“If ‘Technicolour’ had a scent, it would be lemongrass, bergamot, rose, and patchouli.”
You also mentioned that “the balance with your body and mind” is a priority in your life. What do you do to keep that balance?
I just try to listen. I can easily ignore signs from my body, but throughout the years I’ve learned it’s better to listen quickly than to ignore them. I try to be intentional with the food I eat, with the people I surround myself with, and the biggest thing is knowing which external to-dos should actually be priorities for me — most of them I just have to ignore.
I notice on your Instagram that you spend a lot of time in nature — at the beach, in the green. Does nature inspire your music and creativity?
Yes, nature gives me such peace of mind. I’m a homebody at heart, so sometimes I really have to drag myself outside the house. But in recent years I’ve made more of an effort to spend time outdoors. Being in my other home, South Africa, grounds me even more than Amsterdam does. There I can really enjoy the trees and the sights because I don’t take them for granted — I only visit two months out of the year.
How important is social media for you personally? Would you still use it if you weren’t an artist?
I’m quite a private person, so I don’t think I would use it as much. But since I do want to connect with people, it often makes me think of ways I can express myself that still feel sincere. I’ve actually been thinking of starting a Substack, just to be able to share more of my thoughts that go into my music.
“I love the juxtaposition of danceable sounds and lyrics that crave substance.”
Amsterdam is still on my list of places to visit. Since you grew up there, what do you love most about the city and the Netherlands?
Oh, I love how comfortable the city is. On a day with good weather it really feels like nobody has work to do — we just go outside, get our favourite food and vibe with friends. Like any person in Amsterdam, I do most of my commutes by bike. I like that people are quite straightforward. Sometimes it’s rude, sure. But being just back from Japan, I can really appreciate the rough honesty of the Dutch right now.
And as a last question: Is there a question you wish we had asked?
Hmm… maybe if “Technicolour” had a scent, what would it be? — something that gets at the sensory side of creating, you know? I think it would smell like a mix of lemon grass, bergamot, rose and with a hint of patchouli. Just my fav’s basically. (smiles)
Stream “Technicolour” now → fanlink.tv/Technicolour
Follow Joya Mooi for more:
www.instagram.com/joyamooi
www.facebook.com/joyamooimusic
