Ameena Meer: So “Skin” is your latest?
Joy Crookes: Yeah, it's my first album. I released it on Oct. 15.
Ameena Meer: Tell me the story behind it.
Joy Crookes: It's an autobiographical body of work, and it's a collection of songs that are about my life, my identity, the people that make up my life, politics—things that I'm interested in and the [people] who make me [who I am].
Ameena Meer: Do you feel like there's been a shift from your early music to where you are now?
Joy Crookes: Yeah, definitely. My earlier stuff was less self-assured, and maybe it still had a voice and everything, but it was younger and less progressed. Now—not that I've completely worked myself out, because I don't think anyone ever does that—there's more of an understanding of self.
Ameena Meer: It's becoming clearer—and it probably will, whatever your voice is—and more defined as you keep working.
Joy Crookes: It's a process, and I think I'm just further along in the process as opposed to having worked it out entirely.
Ameena Meer: I do feel like your voice is going to evolve and develop more and more. I also see you bringing in more influences, so, tell me if you collaborate with other people. I see many more collaborations in the future.
Joy Crookes: I don't collaborate that much, but I think the more I understand myself, the more I will.
Ameena Meer: What kind of music do you listen to?
Joy Crookes: I listen to everything. I'm really interested in music from across the world. Solange and Frank Ocean are American artists I like. I've been listening to a lot of Zimbabwean music recently, like Hallelujah Chicken Run Band. I've also been listening to SZA—I love SZA from America. I listen to everything.
Ameena Meer: So if you were to take your piano down to the crossroads, and you handed your keyboard back over, who would you be? What would your music sound like?
Joy Crookes: It would sound like my own. I'm not trying to imitate anyone. It would just be my own—it would be its very own thing.
Ameena Meer: Yeah.
Joy Crookes: And then I'd win against the devil.
Ameena Meer: What do you feel you don't get asked enough in interviews?
Joy Crookes: What it feels like to sing.
Ameena Meer: What does it feel like to sing?
Joy Crookes: When I'm singing, and I'm in that zone, it’s probably the closest I feel to, I'm not religious, but, God. It's the most meditative state I think I can be in—when I'm really, really in it.
Ameena Meer: Absolutely—that would be an expression of your humanity.
Joy Crookes: I think that's the closest I feel to that emotion—when I sing, and I'm really in it.
Ameena Meer: Do you feel like, as a musician, you were given opportunities in London that you might not have been given elsewhere?
Joy Crookes: Definitely. I think because London is so understanding of multiculturalism; it was more accepting for someone like me, who is a third generation or third-culture person, to exist more safely and securely in a place like London.
Ameena Meer: Right. This is more of a work question, but in terms of fashion, are there brands that you like? Are there things that you wear in particular?
Joy Crookes: I've always been really into vintage fashion. I love the idea of finding something that no one has or you don't see very often, and I like the journey of finding vintage clothes. I'm also really into up-and-coming designers in the UK. There's a designer called Maximilian, he's fantastic. I really like my friend's brand Kanyä London. And I love classic designers—the “Vivienne Westwoods” of the world.
Ameena Meer: When you talk about what she stands [for]...
Joy Crookes: When I talk about what she stands for, I mean she's the essence of British culture that’s political, punk, anarchist, outspoken and unapologetic. She still takes the Metro.
Ameena Meer: When you were growing up, given that you were in the UK, did you feel closer to the Irish side of your family? Did you spend a lot of time in Ireland?
Joy Crookes: I was physically closer, but it's really hard to say what I was closer to and what I wasn't. I just grew up with an Irish parent and a Bangladeshi parent—so I always say I'm 100% of both. Are there other things you want to tell me, psychic-wise, that you haven't told me? I've enjoyed all your advice. It's very sweet.
Ameena Meer: When I feel into your body, it feels really strong, so again, I'm going to sound all “LA,” but heart chakra—it feels like there's important stuff happening there. I can almost feel the things you need to express from behind your back. So now, and this is speaking more as a psychic as we're going off the interview altogether, I really see a lot of ancestors. It feels to me that there’s a lot that you need to express.
Joy Crookes: There’s so many. I mean, I could even tell you that. There are so many.
Ameena Meer: And not just your Bangladeshi ancestors but also your Irish ancestors. There are people standing behind you who are waiting to be expressed through what you're doing.
Joy Crookes: Yeah, I feel that, and it's not necessarily a great thing. It's a pressure sometimes. It's funny because I always get pain in my neck as well.
Ameena Meer: Pain in your neck, honestly, is feeling like you have to do something by yourself. Are you using your own willpower? I would take some time and meditate, pray, whatever it is that works for you.
