Joy Crookes' interview at Medium Sized Backyard is exactly the kind of conversation you want to stumble into - warm, wandering, and full of genuine curiosity. Fresh off performing the unreleased "Not in Love" live for the first time, the South London singer sat down with Medicine Box to talk new music, algorithmic resistance, and a Somalian civil war record that's been living in her ears. The moment she describes actively seeking out music in languages she doesn't speak might be the most quietly radical thing an artist has said all year.
On "Not in Love" and Making Songs Fast
Medicine Box: You performed "Not in Love" for us today - huge fan already. Can we talk about that song a little bit?
Joy Crookes: I wrote it a long time ago and I produced it really fast with my friend Harvey. We went into a recording studio in the UK called Rack and just got all these musicians together and very quickly turned it around. So it's an old song, but was made new fast.
Medicine Box: Does it surprise you or scare you when something comes together that quickly?
Joy Crookes: I just think every song has its own evolution, and the sooner you accept that, the easier it makes the process. It can be stressful when things have to be turned around fast, but I also really like deadlines. It makes things feel quite final - like you have to get it done. And I like limitation as well.
Medicine Box: How does it feel performing an unreleased song live versus songs that are already out there?
Joy Crookes: It's really exciting, but it's growing pains vibes - you're getting used to it and you're learning it and it's learning you. But it's been fun. Just propelling myself into the song makes it much easier to sing and perform.
On Touring and Staying Grounded
Medicine Box: How is it being back on the road?
Joy Crookes: I love it so much. I've had the best time ever here. I can't wait to be back.
Medicine Box: What do you notice about yourself on tour, or how do you keep yourself grounded?
Joy Crookes: I don't think there's particular grounding on tour. Tour is probably the least grounding thing you can do as a person. But accepting your fate is what makes it easier. And always bring an extra suitcase.
Medicine Box: Are you sleeping well or are you in survival mode?
Joy Crookes: I feel like I'm sleeping well sometimes. I like sleep. If I have to have an existential moment, I will - but then eventually I'll just sleep.
Medicine Box: What city do you always love to revisit?
Joy Crookes: I'm obsessed with Chicago. Someone described it as New York's older cousin that doesn't feel the need to prove itself, and I love that.
Medicine Box: What else have you been discovering out on the road?
Joy Crookes: How good I am at walking. I walk like 20,000 steps a day every day on tour, apart from in Los Angeles. I try and walk as much as possible in America because there's so much to see - it's such a big place.
On Listening Wide and Refusing Algorithms
Medicine Box: What are you listening to right now that's really inspiring you?
Joy Crookes: I've been reading this book called Rebel Sound: Music as Resistance. Every chapter has a suggested playlist and is a deep dive into the musical history and politics of a different country. So I've been listening to so much stuff from that. I love Brazilian music right now across all different decades. And I've realized I listen to a lot of records that I don't understand - lots of languages I don't speak. I love this Somalian record called Sweet as Broken Dates. In the Somalian Civil War, a bunch of people dug their records underground so they didn't get destroyed, and then they were remastered in 2015. They're amazing records. I just try and have an ear out at all times to find things that wouldn't be spoonfed to me by an algorithm.
Medicine Box: Where did you discover that book?
Joy Crookes: It was in a bookshop window and my best friend walked past and was like, "She's going to want that," and bought it for me. I was singing "Black Boys on Mopeds" by Sinéad O'Connor on my European tour, and I think that's why he saw the book and thought I'd really like it. I love history and politics.
On the New Album and What's Coming
Medicine Box: Without disclosing too much - where does "Not in Love" fit in the world you're building right now?
Joy Crookes: It fits in the world because I'm now producing everything with my friend Harvey - Harvey Grant, or his artist name is Dweller. We produced it together. But it is very much a standalone thing; I treated the song as its own thing. What we're working on is a body of work - a new album. It's different. But it's nice to make some foundations before I move toward more of my sound. I think what I've done is discovered my sound. "Not in Love" is great and it's its own thing, but I have a very exciting time ahead of me. And I'm producing it - so that's great.
