Getting to know… Ahoona

feed: Hello everyone, it’s nice chatting with you both today. How are you guys?

Ahoona: We are awesome. Thanks for inviting us!

feed: Please introduce yourself and tell us something about your musical background.

Jim: My name is Jim, I am French but I live in Switzerland. I have been a DJ for over 20 years now and I produce a little less, but I have been in love with music for a long time.

Emilien: My name is Emilien and I am also French and I have been a DJ for 15 years. I went from nightlife to music production to make and play my own music.

F: How did you meet and when did you start making music together?

A: We met in Switzerland when we worked together in a Swiss club where Jim was the creative director. We started making music together from day one. The Ahoona project actually came a bit later when we finally figured out something we wanted to share. Something powerful, something dynamic, something that basically represented us.

F: What is the inspiration behind the name Ahoona?

A: Years ago we read an article saying that Ahoona means ‘dumb’ in Japanese… We recognized ourselves in this concept, hahaha, and we liked the sound of the word… And Ahoona was born!

F: What music did you listen to growing up, and did those types of music influence your current music career?

E: I’m fascinated by disco funk from Nile Rogers to Stevie Wonder and also inspired by the French Touch sound from the 2000s.

J: Daft Punk, of course… because of the Electro sounds, but I’m also a huge Disco Funk fan. From Donna Summer to Cerrone or Earth Wind & Fire: the 70s and 80s are so inspiring.

F: What was your first release?

A: Our first Ahoona release was “Revolt” on KIDS Records Foundation in February 2023.

F: Your new collaborative remake of Laurent Wolf’s classic ‘Calinda’ has just been released on Spinnin’ Deep. How does it sound?

A: For us, signing to Spinnin’ Deep was a legitimate wish, to be honest. And then there’s the fact that we could collaborate with Laurent on such a house anthem… We won’t hide our joy! Our new version transports the track into the Afro house arena with percussive Afro-tech beats, sweeping synth-scapes and melancholic piano melodies.

F: How did you end up with Laurent and will you work together again in the future?

J: Laurent has been a friend of mine for a while, we worked on a remix together a few years ago. We are already working on new ideas to bring you more of that Laurent Wolf/Ahoona project. Stay tuned!

F: Which of your own Ahoona songs was the most loving to make / is your personal favorite?

E: For me, ‘Breath’ was a milestone in Ahoona’s adventure… I love playing it and it will remain my favorite for a long time.

J: Personally I enjoyed producing ‘Life’ so much. This track gave me goosebumps from day one when we played the first chords in the studio.

F: Do you have plans for an Ahoona album?

A: Not really. We like this dynamic; we’re in a place where we can produce and share our music without pressure. But if Spinnin’ wants an album, we’re willing to talk. Hehe!

What can we expect from an Ahoona DJ set and what are you most looking forward to playing this summer?

A: Good vibes and lots of fun with fresh, powerful and groovy sounds. We can’t wait to play at JimmyZ Monte Carlo in August. It’s a legendary location where afro house parties are held with Keinemusik, Black Coffee, etc.

F: You live in France. What is the French Afro House scene like there these days and who should we look for?

A: We are lucky to have a talented and inspiring Afro House French scene. Producers like Moojo, Rivo or Montrouge are absolutely kicking it!

F: How difficult was it for you as relative newcomers to the music scene to break through? And what advice do you have for producers who want to do the same?

A: Of course it is a daily effort, but if we had to give one piece of advice, I would make music for the joy of it and the joy of sharing it. Go for it with passion, but without expectations.

F: Which dance song brings back the fondest memories for you?

J: ‘Sandstorm’ by Darude, hahaha… no, just kidding. I would say ‘Around The World’ by Daft Punk. When I heard this song in a club, I knew I was going to be a DJ.

E: For me that would be ‘Leave The World Behind’ by Swedish House Mafia. What a banger!

F: Who are your top producers at the moment?

E: I follow Rampa regularly and I really like Marasi’s vibe.

J: & Notre Dame and I have been going crazy lately both behind the decks and in the studio. LIKE!

F: What else is planned for Ahoona?

A: We have some cool tracks in the making! And we are exploring new musical directions… We are not done yet, you will hear from us. 😉

Laurent Wolf & Ahoona’s ‘Calinda (2024)’ is out now on Spinnin’ Deep.