Entirely dedicated to spherical improvisation, SJJL is the meeting of European free jazz cult figure Sven-Åke Johansson on the drums and Justin Lépany on psychedelic guitar. Both infuriated and intrigued, Mr. Johansson came and knocked at the door of Justin’s studio while the latter was recording “Agnes (in Redemption)” at full blast in the same building. A few days later the two jammed and SJJL was born.

Facts

For Justin

1: Born in Tokyo

2: Raised in Paris

3: Lives in Berlin

For Sven-Åke

1: Konzert im West Germany Berlin

2: Mit Justin Lépany

3: Schlagzeug und e-gitarre

Questions

What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
Justin: Everyday’s life and all forms of arts.

Sven-Åke: Musik

How and when did you get into making music?
Justin: I started to play music as a little kid but my life drastically changed when I first heard Guns n’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction when I was 11 years old. I had become somebody!

Sven-Åke: Als Kind in dem Keller meiner Eltern Schlagzeug gespielt

What are your 5 favorite albums of all time?
Justin:
Guns n’ Roses – Appetite for Destruction
Morbid Angel – Covenant
J.S Bach – complete organ works by Lionel Rogg
Skip James – Today!
ACDC – Back in Black

Sven-Åke: Alle aufnahmen mit albert rousells musik

What do you associate with Berlin?
Justin: Berlin is maybe the only big city in Europe where one can afford to take their time, and time is everything.

Sven-Åke: Stadt der spione

What’s your favorite place in your town?
Justin: My favourite places in Berlin are the cemeteries. They are very beautiful and peaceful places where I like to wand er, meditate and take pictures. In Paris, my favourite places are the churches for the same reasons.

Sven-Åke: My studio.

If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
Justin: I don’t know but I would find.

Sven-Åke: Musik kreieren

What was the last record you bought?
Justin: An old recording of Claude Debussy’s opera “PellÈas et MÈlisand e” which is by far my favourite opera.

Sven-Åke: Klavier Musik von Claude Debussy

Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Justin: Life will tell.

Sven-Åke: Grosses Streicher ensemble

What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
Justin: I went to see Bon Iver in 2012 in Berlin. I did not like his music at all but he was really happening back then and I wanted to see something fresh live. The show just stunning on every level, I did not know any of the song and loved every minute of it. I haven’t heard one single note from Bon Iver since that night.

Sven-Åke: Ist noch zeit

How important is technology to your creative process?
Justin: Technology is sometimes helpful but never important.

Sven-Åke: Nur Technik, Technologie nicht

Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career?
Justin: I have a little sister who is hopefully proud of her big brother.

Sven-Åke: keine

Our favourite:

SJJL at TimeGeist Berlin