Jonti is a Sydney-based producer who has had quite an intense writing process for his latest album ‘Tokorats’. Through experiencing some personal peaks and troughs, Jonti has experienced what it’s like to be thrown into the stratosphere of the music world and deal with the mental challenges that come the rise.

He pleasantly came off as your everyman music-lover when we spoke to him spoke with him, and addressed his musical journey head-on. Not only that, there’s a sick list of albums from the year that this dude recommends! 

Stoney Roads: Could you try describe your music to someone who has not heard of you?

Jonti: I always get this question in cabs haha. I think it’s like… I guess what I say is “psychedelic beat-based pop music”. I’ve narrowed it down to that.

Stoney Roads: Were there any particular moments that inspired this album? 

Jonti: A lot of moments came from collaborating with other musicians such as the Avalanches, and even doing that tribute show for them that just got a bunch of musicians together and the way the ensemble turned out with everyone having different characteristics. Before I’ve always just used samples and stuff, but when I got to actually play with a live ensemble and have all these different musical voices I think that kinda changed the concept of the music I was making.

Stoney Roads: What drives you to make music?

Jonti: There’s just a weird mystical thing about what drives me, like a weird power. I think it’s always that whatever’s happening around me, even if everything is collapsing, it seems like I can go make music and that can help me process everything. It’s also just really exciting for me as well because you can make almost anything you want, and it just leads to creating awesome things. It still weirds me out that I’ve got to collaborate with people that I really obsess over, and you just have these weird conversations that are so inspiring in a way.

Stoney Roads: What are some particular albums or artists that inspired this new record?

Jonti: This album was made after such a long period of time and along the way there’s been so many references. I was listening to a lot of Curtis Mayfield, I was also at a point listening to a lot of shoegaze stuff which found its way in there, also Funkadelic, and then also just like the Beach Boys’ stuff. A couple albums that I did constantly use as a reference point in terms of sonics and structure were Outkast’s ATLiens and Aquemini. I was also listening to a lot of Teebs, I feel that his influence is quite present on the album. With every track I feel like there’s a lot of references.

Stoney Roads: What kind of message do you hope to convey on this new record?

Jonti: Just to keep moving forward in what you choose to believe in. Just keep moving forward, no matter how small the movement, because I did stop for a long time.

Stoney Roads: Was there a particular reason that caused you to stop for some time?

Jonti: Yeah there was a certain resting period, where I was just very doubtful of my music, because I was getting so many amazing opportunities by beloved artists I just felt like I wasn’t delivering on them. I was doing all these shows and I just felt like no one was enjoying themselves, and I was just so confused on how to control it. So I took about two years off of it. So I think that was a period in which I just stopped, but then say no I have to start up again and move forward with this album.

Stoney Roads: Being up there isn’t as easy or fun as it looks sometimes.

Jonti: Yeah totally, I wasn’t sure what was going on or if I was properly doing anything. Plus, everyone else was so amazing haha, and I was just like “wow I can’t do that”. I feel like most musicians are like that though. After all it made me ultimately feel that every musician is doing a different thing which is adding to a larger conversation, so it works if your different.

Stoney Roads: Do you feel a little more confident in playing these tracks live than your earlier stuff?

 Jonti: Yeah absolutely, I think that’s why I started for scratch. I made a draft for the album. before doing all these songs, and then I wrote these songs knowing that I would have to deliver them live effectively with more fun arrangements. So a lot more of these songs are a lot more upbeat and have cool twists and turns. I have a band now too which is a completely different experience and I’m loving the live shows now. We try and do old stuff and I try to get back into it but it just doesn’t feel as good as the new stuff.

Stoney Roads: You’ve collaborated with a lot of people, who’s on your bucket list for future collaborations?  

Jonti: Oh man, that list is infinite haha. I’m also not sure where it’ll go next. At the moment I feel like I’m just heading towards a straight hip-hop state of mind where I’m making more beats, just trying to take it back simple. So I’m looking for other vocal collaborators for those which could be cool. But yeah as far as currently… Thundercat would be cool.

Stoney Roads: You and Thundercat would be sick.

Jonti: Yeah I reckon it could be a vibe.

Stoney Roads: You’re obviously a huge music fan, so what are some of your favourite releases of 2017?

Jonti: Yeah my favourites have been, and this could be why I’m in a more hip-hop state of mind but like the Brockhampton albums, the Rhapsody record, the Tyler album. I also really like the King Krule album. Jonwayne’s album is banging.

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Jonti’s new album ‘Tokorats’ is out this week, November 3rd, on the legendary Stones Throw Records. If you’re not familiar with this guy’s music and creativity, do yourself a favour and check him out. For now, check out the music video for ‘Staring Window’ below.