Speedy J - Interface 21 - Los Angeles US - Dec 2007

Biography of Speedy J

Rotterdam's JOCHEM PAAP, aka SPEEDY J, so named because of his fast scratching and mixing skills, is finally set to release the much anticipated sequel to his highly-acclaimed 'Ginger' album. Jochem, the Dutch link in Ritchie Hawtin and John Acquaviva's influential Plus 8 imprint, where his harder, more invigorating work as Public Energy is continuing to push the label futher out there, has spent the past year donning his Speedy J cap to follow what many believe was the finest album of 1993.

'Ginger' was Jochem's attempt to move away from the 'rave' scene, and having maintained that with the 'Pepper' single, voted by many UK jocks as one of the singles of 1994, Jochem is now progressing his music further with 'G Spot'. The record is a valiant attempt 'Not to get stuck in using house and techno beats in the same way that everybody else does. I like to express myself through different types of sound. I've used my brain less and my feelings more. On 'Ginger' I tried te get everything as clean as possible but on reflection it sounded too produced. I think I broke the life out of it'.

On 'G Spot', Jochem has kept things as they were recorded. 'There are still clean, produced parts but it's more dynamic and soulful.' Recorded at Jochem's home in Rotterdam, the album finally gave him the chance to use the name 'G Spot', fascinated with the idea of using the name on promotional merchandise. 'You can do freaky things with a name like that,' he jokes. 'We're thinking of doing Limited Edition inlfatable women.'

To make future releases even more special, Jochem has set up a Dutch remixing network, in response to the way that UK producers and DJ's remix tracks for small fees and favours. 'Dutch artists hardly ever work together . We've all talked about it but I decided the time was right to make the first move.'

Jochem is also quick to follow the stance of many UK artists by taking his live show to rock venues and pop festivals in attempt to 'get more people interested in electronic music'. Having already played the Lowlands Festival with Henry Rollins, Cypress Hill and Underworld, Jochem states that attiudes are changing towards this music in the same way they have in the UK.

Such a tour begins in Holland in March, where he'll be joined by Sensurreal, recent signings to Jochem's Beam Me Up! imprint, which he co-runs with Gijs Vroom and Ren=E9 van der Weyde.

'I see the tour as a challenge. If you play a rave you know exactly what to expect. I've been doing them for over four years. I do this music 24 hours a day and I need fresh air every now and then.'

Proving just how much Jochem does like to work, the last six months have also seen him complete remixes of Secret Cinema's 'Timeless Altitude', a track for Sven Vath's remix album and also developing his Public Energy album, which he describes as 'hard, very slow, 70bpm, industrial hip-hop'. Meanwhile, Jochem will also be selecting one of his shows for a live version of the 'G Spot' album wich he aims to release later this year.

Despite his recent declaration in Melody Maker that he no longer wants to be known as club DJ, Jochem is still spinning at small parties in Holland for 'just a couple of beers. I don't think I'll ever go on the road again with my record case. When I perform Public Energy, I'll include a turntable and mix between the performance and DJ-ing, but that will be about all.'

As well as chopping off his ponytail and being inspired by the scene in Japan, Jochem has spent much of 1994 looking for a suitable house to buy. It's here where his music will probably change even further, currently installing a new studio at the new house. As you may expect, Jochem's home is no ordinary home. 'It looks like a tree. It's the shape of an ice cube, but stands on one angle. It has three floors but there isn't a straight wall in the house at all. There are only 30 houses in the world like it, and I have one of them.'

If you think this will make his music even more warped, consider for one moment his old abode a building from the 14th century where the majority of his work so far has been completed. 'That was an old nuthouse for crazy people. It was very haunted.' If that somehow made his music more polished, heaven knows what his next work will sound like. Such is the beauty of Jochem. He simply doesn't give a Paap.