Amsterdam-based producer and DJ Berry Juice is on a mission to bring back the funk. Think of thumping basslines, crunchy rhodes and screaming synths building on the funk foundations of the past with the freshness of today. But he never lets anything take over the most important aspect of his tracks: the song. His soulful, melody-based tracks carry you to a vibey world of waving palmtrees, orange sunsets and 80’s sportscars. We sat down with him to discuss the release of his brand new single with Josh Tobias ‘Messin’ around’ and a whole lot more…
Hi Berry Juice, welcome to DMC World! Great to have you and thank you for taking the time to chat to us!
Thank you for having me!
For those of our readers who may not have heard of you, please can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I am a producer and DJ from Amsterdam. My hair is red and my funk is strong. I try to combine the musicality and feel of late 70’s and early 80’s music with the fresh sound of today.
You’ve just released your new single ‘Messin Around’ with Josh Tobias, congratulations! Can you tell us a bit about the record and the creative process behind it?
It started with some chords, just like I usually do. I feel like when the chords are right and they speak to you, the rest comes naturally. I sent a very rough sketch to Josh, and he came up with this great hook and great lyrics about infidelity, that match the feeling of the music of the track perfectly. After that I tried a lot of different basslines, until I found the right one. The track was then screaming for a lofi wah-wah-Wurlitzer, so who am I to keep the track from giving it wat it wants…
How did you guys meet?
We met online, Josh liked the sound of a track I made a long time ago and he asked if I wanted to make something together. After hearing his voice on his records, I didn’t have to think about that for long.
What was it like working with Josh? Did you guys spend a lot of time in the studio together?
We didn’t spend any time in a studio! Josh lives in New York and I live in Amsterdam, so we exchange sound files online to make our track. Josh records everything in his home studio and sends me the files. Then I do my thing and we send music back and forth until we are happy with the track. It’s great to work with Josh, he’s a great and extremely musical guy. He is also very laid back and musically we’re on the same page.
How would you describe your sound in three words?
Juicy, juicy and juicy.
Who or what were your biggest musical influences growing up?
My parents are both very musical and my youth was full with all kinds of music. My father is mostly a classic rock guy and my mother listens more to soul, funk and R&B. So I was very lucky to have that.
There always was one band the most important in my youth, and that undeniably was The Eagles. There is not a band or artist that I know better than I know them. In a way, it’s very different from the music that I make, but their beautiful song writing, harmonies and lyrics are definitely carved in my musical mind.
What are five records that you cant get enough of right now?
Steely Dan – Fire In The Hole
Anderson Paak – Am I Wrong
Yussef Kamaal – Lowrider
Mr. Oizo – Rhythme Plat
Franc Moody – Dopamine
Average White Band – I Just Can’t Give You Up
Crosby, Stills and Nash – Dark Star
I know you asked for five but I couldn’t stop myself, sorry.
Any touring planned further down the line?
Not yet, but who knows… For
now I mostly play at the Chin Chin Club in Amsterdam. Come say hi when you’re around!
Finally, what can we expect from Berry Juice over the course of 2019?
A lot. I am focusing on my music more and more and I get a little better every day. I have one track that I hope will be coming out before the summer too and a lot of great stuff that’s waiting to be finished. Josh will be involved too. Tracks with a different sounds, but still very juicy so stay tuned…
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