Andrew Jous: Between Roots, Rhythm and Emotion

We open the Five Talks series with Andrew Jous, the newest member of the Five FM team. With roots in Moldova and a perspective shaped by life in Germany, Andrew explores the connection between electronic music, folk influences and emotion.

In our first interview, we discover how accidentally signing up for a music production course changed his artistic path, the stories behind “LELE” and “Atlantis”, and how he connects with audiences, both in clubs and on the radio.

1. Andrew, how did your journey with music begin, and what do you remember about the first parties you DJed at?

My passion for music began with a desire to create an atmosphere and convey emotions. My first experiences as a DJ introduced me to the energy of the crowd, and over time, I wanted to move from mixing tracks to creating my own music.

2. What is the story behind the name Andrew Jous, and how did you choose it to represent you?

It all started before my first DJ set, when I needed a name for the event poster. I began looking for something that sounded good, was easy to remember and represented me as an artist. That is how Andrew Jous came about, a name that is still with me today.

3. What have you kept from your roots in Moldova, and how has life in Germany influenced the way you see music?

Moldova represents my roots and is an important source of inspiration, particularly through folklore and traditional sounds. Life in Germany has given me new perspectives on electronic music and motivated me to explore new artistic directions.

4. What prompted you to move from selecting other artists’ tracks to creating your own productions?

It all started by chance. I wanted to improve my DJ skills, but I accidentally signed up for a music production course. Over time, I discovered a passion for creating my own sounds. I can say that this chance occurrence changed my artistic path.

5. How did studying music production change the way you work in the studio?

My studies helped me better understand how a track is built and how I can turn ideas into music. They marked the beginning of a process of learning and experimentation that continues to this day.

6. Your sound blends Organic House, Afro House and Eastern European influences. How did you arrive at this combination?

I began exploring these styles out of curiosity and a desire to combine electronic rhythms with different musical influences. I enjoy experimenting, but I do not want to limit myself to a single style. For me, the most important thing is that music conveys emotion.

7. Is there a song, voice or instrument from your childhood that you would like to bring into one of your own productions?

There is no particular sound from my childhood that I want to bring back right now, but I remain open to it if something comes up along the way.

8. How do you integrate folk elements into an electronic track so that they retain their character while also working on the dancefloor?

I start with traditional instruments, such as the flute, violin or pan flute, and use them as foundational elements in the production. I combine them with electronic sounds and rhythms, trying to preserve their authentic character while also creating the energy needed for the dancefloor.

9. You described “LELE” as a story inspired by folklore and legends. What was the first image you wanted to turn into sound?

Five girls dressed in white, dancing in a clearing in the middle of the forest. That was the first image I wanted to turn into sound.

10. When building a track with a cinematic atmosphere, where do you start: with the story, melody, vocals or rhythm?

I usually start with a simple rhythm, a kick and bass. I listen to it on repeat, and as I get into the mood, ideas begin to emerge: another sound, a texture, a synth. I do not start with the finished track in my head; instead, I build it gradually from the atmosphere of the moment.

11. How do you choose the vocals and instruments for a production, and what makes you feel that a particular sound belongs in that story?

I start with a simple beat, and as I listen to it on repeat, I begin to sense what is missing. I choose vocals and instruments intuitively, when I feel that a sound completes the story. It is an instinct developed over time, rather than a fixed formula.

12. How did your collaboration with Cafe De Anatolia begin, and what did you learn from the experience?

At first, I was vaguely familiar with the name Cafe De Anatolia, but I did not know exactly who they were. When I finished my first Afro House track, I looked for labels working in that style and sent it to them. To my surprise, they accepted it straight away.

They welcomed me very warmly, and I appreciated their professionalism. They were the first label I signed a track with, and that moment will always be important to me. The experience taught me to be brave and have confidence in my music.

13. What reaction to your music from someone of a different culture surprised you the most?

In the “Atlantis” project, I used a voice singing in an invented language, imagining what the language spoken in Atlantis might have sounded like.

After the release, I noticed that some listeners in Asia interpreted the vocals as having a spiritual or religious meaning. Someone even commented “Amen” on one of the tracks. I was surprised to discover how differently the same music can be perceived by people from different cultures.

14. How do you translate the world of your productions into a DJ set that needs to keep the audience engaged from beginning to end?

I try to choose tracks that convey the same energy and atmosphere I look for in my own productions. I gradually build tension and moments of release, watching the crowd’s reactions. For me, a DJ set should be a musical experience that keeps the audience engaged from beginning to end.

15. How much room do you leave for improvisation in a set, and what signals from the crowd make you change musical direction?

My sets are largely improvised. I do not prepare a fixed track order. I know the music in my collection very well and choose tracks according to the atmosphere of the moment and the crowd’s response.

If I feel that people need more energy, I increase the intensity. If they need a moment to breathe, I choose something slower and more melancholic.

16. How does building a radio mix differ from preparing a club set?

When I prepare a radio mix, I imagine being on stage and try to anticipate the crowd’s reaction. I even think about how I would react if I were in the middle of the crowd, listening to that set.

For radio, I aim for a clearer, more balanced musical progression, while in a club, I am guided more by the crowd’s energy and reactions in real time.

17. Have you ever had a track you strongly believed in that did not receive the response you expected? What did you learn from that experience?

Yes, that has happened to me. I learned that not everything I like will automatically resonate with the audience. Everyone perceives music differently, and that is part of an artist’s growth.

18. How do you manage the pressure to release music consistently and maintain an online presence while still making time for experimentation and creativity?

I try to set aside time for creativity and avoid producing music simply to meet a release schedule or satisfy algorithms. I accept that there are periods when I need to experiment, discover new sounds or simply take a break.

19. Which artist or instrumentalist would you like to collaborate with to explore a new side of your music?

I am open to collaborations with artists and instrumentalists who can bring an authentic acoustic colour to my productions. Instruments such as the flute, violin or pan flute appeal to me, but I also like the idea of discovering new sounds and combinations I might not have thought of on my own.

20. What is next for Andrew Jous, and what would you like listeners to discover in the next chapter of your project?

I do not want to reveal too much about what is coming next. I simply want people to stay connected with me through music. They will discover the rest along the way.

For Andrew Jous, music remains a space for discovery: from folk roots to the freedom to improvise, from the first beat to the connection with the audience. He is not revealing what comes next just yet, but he leaves us with a simple invitation: to stay connected through music.

We thank him for this conversation and welcome him to the Five FM team!

• The Five Talks story begins here, with a new perspective and the same passion for music.