Meljoann - Open Source Hyperjack Musician - Lorenzo's Music Podcast

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In the latest episode of the Lorenzo's Music Podcast, I meet music artist Meljoann, who I learned about on the federated social platform Mastodon.

Meljoann, a multidisciplinary artist originally from Ireland and now based in Brighton, UK, plays Hyperjack music—a genre she coined herself. Inspired by the 90s New Jack Swing and infused with elements of Hyper Pop. 

Throughout the episode, we talk about music production, discussing everything from the use of electronic synthesizers to the transition from Pro Tools to Reaper. Meljoann shares her journey of evolving her sound, driven by a passion for R&B and an affinity for electronic music. 

A significant portion of the conversation centers around the open-source community and its impact on the music industry. Meljoann is a staunch advocate for free and open-source software, using platforms like Fairamp and PeerTube to share her music. She discusses the challenges and rewards of self-hosting and the supportive community around federated platforms like Mastodon and Radio Free Fedi.

The episode also touches on the broader implications of the DIY music industry, highlighting the struggles artists face in gaining recognition and the innovative ways they navigate these challenges. 

Meljoann talks about the Spirit of Gravity collective and her success in securing Arts Council funding for her projects.

Links

Meljoann's website - https://meljoann.com