John Wilcox, (Joku) is an Asian American singer/songwriter/producer who blends classic rock and blues roots with modern pop production under the alias known as Joku. The 1975, Charlie Puth, and John Mayer are the strongest influences for Joku. Infatuation depicts a lustful relationship that is built on obsession, not trust. With chilling synths, eerie guitar, and heartbreaking vocals, Joku captures the scene of a dying couple. The single was recorded in his home studio and self produced.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hello Joku. What made you want to become a musician?
When I was a kid, I always wanted to be a professional athlete, but that wasn’t in the cards. I took piano lessons from my mom when I was very young and hated every minute of it. In the other room, my dad would be playing guitar and that instrument always fascinated me. Once I got a guitar in my hands, I realized that was the only career path I could take.
Who helped you most in your musical journey?
I would say my dad. I got my love for music from him. His taste was very eclectic. Because of him I grew up on Van Morrison, Mozart, The Allman Brothers, Antonio Carlos Jobim, everyone. He had a blues band with his college buddies called Cueball and when I was really young they would have me on stage to play and song or two. Those experiences were the start of my love for performing live.
Your latest release is 'Infatuation'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
I wrote “Infatuation” with Robbie Ricucci, Sarah Manning, and Dean Maddox. Robbie came in with the bones of the song and I started running with whatever lyrics came into my head. Dean was critical is coming up with the intricacies of the second verse. The melody starts on a different beat for the second verse, which was all Dean’s idea. It took me a while to understand what he was hearing in his head, but once I got it, I absolutely loved it.
What social issues are you most passionate about?
Be kind, to everyone. Be kind when you don’t feel like it. It’s easy to be kind when everything is going great. It is a lot harder when you are having a terrible day, so I always keep in mind, no matter how I’m feeling, to treat everyone with kindness.
How do you stay up-to-date with the latest musical trends?
I don’t. I know I probably should, but it is quite hard to keep up with a constantly changing industry. I just try to make music that is honest to me and that I am proud of.
Is there a hidden meaning in any of your music?
Yes.
What’s an average day like for you?
I try to go to the gym every morning. Then make some eggs with cheese, toast with grape jelly, and maybe some bacon. Then I spend the afternoon in my studio working on whatever projects are on my schedule. If the weather is nice, I’ll try to play a round of golf with my friends. On most days I will then go and play a show with my band November Blue somewhere in the Nashville area. After the show, I’ll head to my girlfriends place and we’ll eat some great food and watch something good on TV. That’s a pretty great day for me.
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans.
I love meeting fans and getting text messages from my friends responding to a new song of mine. Without fans, a life in music would not be possible. I will always be a fan of musicians and bands and try to see live music as often as I can. I make it a point to respond to any fans who reach out.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Learn how to arrange music. A clever and interesting arrangement to a piece of music is the most important part to me and can elevate a good song into a great recording/performance. Also, don’t get frustrated with yourself if you can’t figure out a guitar part, find shows, or hit a note vocally. Just keep working on it and take your time. Frustration is natural, but don’t let it deter you from accomplishing your goals.
What are your plans for the future?
I will continue to create music in my studio. My band November Blue is planning a tour for the summer. We are releasing new music very soon. Those guys in my band are my best friends and my brothers and I can’t imagine a better group of people to make music with. I will also continue to release music under “Joku” for the next couple of years. There are a few albums that I am working on for great artists like Sarah Manzo and Nikki Sova that I am extremely proud of and can’t wait to release into the world.