J.Lamotta on New EP & The Power of Choice (Interview)

To cap off the week, we caught up with Berlin-based Israeli/Moroccan artist and producer J.Lamotta fresh off the release of her new EP 'Brand New Choice' via Jakarta Records. The 7-track project follows the success of Lamotta's recent video releases for the singles 'Can't Refuse' and 'Hope So'. J.Lamotta's previous work has focused on lyrics and personal delivery. 'Brand New Choice' follows a similar path as Lamotta expresses her life experiences and thoughts through her work, and reveals a liberal, independent and robust thinker that uses her music to speak out. The release also celebrates her special connection to Japan, where she has gained a loyal fan base and recorded the songs that were later produced in Berlin, Germany. Dive into J.Lamotta's interview below for an inside look at the making of the EP, her musical influences and just how important freedom of choice is to her. Right now and only on Hype Off Life 👊🏾

Your music is a big vibe. What artists did you grow up listening to the most?

Bless up, excited to hear that. My earliest vivid memory with music is Bob Marley. Before I understood a single word in English and before Jazz became a thing in my life. Later on, I got into the music of Ray Charles and Amy Winehouse.

How is the music scene out there in Berlin?

I love the scene in Berlin. I feel like I know many artists in person, which I love. The city is known for its clubs and the Techno scene, and not many people are aware of the Soul and Hip-Hop scene. Dope international crowd with open minds. Also, I am happy about the cooperation between the RnB and the queer scenes in the city. 

You just dropped a new EP today, 'Brand New Choice'. What does its title mean to you?

The name Brand New Choice came up to me together with the understanding that life is a matter of choices. Every butterfly oscillation in a distant forest affects us, so surely our decisions and actions, too. Brand New Choice meant a safe zone for me to ask questions and the deal with things I didn't understand within myself, and by creating the EP, I made a brand new choice.

This release veers away from the organic sound of 'Suzume' into more contemporary territory. Was this decision a natural progression of your growth or linked to something else?

We change every day, and I don't feel obligated to particular genres; therefore, it's very natural for me to let this inner change affect my artistic vision. Reflecting our current times through my music felt relevant and real to me, and I realised how much the early 2000s influenced me, RnB music on MTV that I heard growing up. The sounds of TLC, Aaliyah, and Destiny's Child were in my head when I was putting this EP together. 

What producers did you work with for its futuristic RnB sound?

The amazing David Thornton produced three tracks on the EP. One track was co-produced with Tim Granbacka, and the rest were my productions. Both David and Tim are incredible producers and musicians in their own right.

How important is freedom of choice in your life?

Sometimes when we don’t have enough freedom of choice, it pushes us to the darker areas of our personalities. That’s why to relief some of the pain that life bears with it, we have to touch bases with this freedom. We got to appreciate and question our freedom and to keep on asking questions. Not knowing the answer is completely fine.

If fans could only take away one big idea from the project, what would you want it to be?

The music on this EP is no different from me having a conversation with someone. I'm telling my stories and sharing some of the lessons I've learned, so I want people to be able to imagine themselves as the main character in my stories, to relate, and to think, "yeah, my choices are part of me. I can look back, think and wonder, but I won't stop making choices for myself“.