The Theorem of Joy Interview: Upcoming Tour in China, Radiohead, and Jazz with a Lot of Innovation

When we say emerging bands offer more than mainstream ones, we mean it! Our last two interviews, the Afterlife interview, and the ANAIT interview, show why we love talking to new bands. They have the freedom to create and speak their minds without fear. Speaking of fearless innovation, today we bring another groundbreaking group. They create music based on what feels right to them, not what a big label demands. Is there anything more natural than musicians connecting with their audience through music? 

Theorem of Joy is the perfect example of what we mean. Their main genre is jazz, but they explore everything from pop to North African melodies, and metal. Their influences range from The Smashing Pumpkins to Serge Gainsbourg. Theorem of Joy's self-titled debut album came out in 2018 and was praised by critics as "one of the most beautiful albums of spring 2018," "sophisticated," and "indispensable." Their second album, "L’Hiver," was released in 2021.

Well, let's get to work!

Jazz & influences

CONCERTY: First of all, thanks for talking with us! We are very excited about this. Let’s start by talking about jazz, shall we? Your music blends jazz with many different genres, creating something very unique. I believe the song "Disco Inferno 2," released this month, showcases your versatility and ability to combine genres. What led you to explore this innovative path?

THEOREM OF JOY: I write the compositions for the band, so most of the influences come from what I’ve heard, played, and studied. The innovation comes from mixing different influences and sounds and trying to make them coexist. For example, in "Disco Inferno," there’s a mix of metal beats, dense guitar chords, and violin arpeggios supporting a long, repetitive melody with subtle variations. If you isolate all these elements, they come from different musical genres—indie rock, classical baroque, pop music—but by bringing them together, they take on a new meaning.

CONCERTY: Just like your music, your influences are eclectic—from The Smashing Pumpkins to Björk, and classical figures like Lili Boulanger. I also saw your Radiohead cover, which was amazing! They seem to be a big influence on the group. How does your composing process work? Is it more natural, to create what feels right, or do you consciously incorporate these influences into each song?

THEOREM OF JOY: I usually start writing music with an idea, an image, or a story. The meaning is very important to me. Then I begin finding musical ideas, trying to create a mood or vibe connected to my sensations and feelings. After that, I organize the piece. There’s often a concept of transformation or a journey—I try to take the music somewhere. One of the challenges is not to include too much musical information in each song. I tend to write a lot, so I’ve learned to leave some ideas out. Afterward, I work on the orchestration and share it with the team. I’m lucky to have great musicians, both past and present, and I know their strengths, which helps guide my decisions. Sometimes the compositions fit into an album theme.

China Tour & live concerts

CONCERTY: Now let’s talk about touring. We just heard that you’re about to tour China starting on October 23—that’s amazing! You’ve performed in Asia before, but how do you feel about these upcoming concerts in China? What will be different from your last experience in Asia?

THEOREM OF JOY: We toured South Asia in 2022; you can check out a short documentary here:

We were also in China in 2023. It’s totally different from Europe in many ways. It’s hard to compare the countries because they are so diverse. One thing that stands out to me is the sense of respect and calm. People can be very direct, especially when it comes to work. There was a lot of discussion and negotiation, but I really enjoyed building this tour with our partners. I was happy with the audience feedback during the last two tours—they were curious and open to our music.

CONCERTY: Preparing for concerts can be easy for some and difficult for others. Can you share your pre-show rituals? And what are your preparations for the upcoming China tour?

THEOREM OF JOY: Personally, I don’t get very stressed before going on stage. I used to when I was younger, but I’ve learned to stay more Zen! We usually just give each other a good hug before going on stage. This tour is special because we’re finalizing a new repertoire called *Feux,* which features nine new compositions based on the concept of three lines: crossing past, present, and future; and utopia, reality, and dystopia. The music is ready, and the Chinese audience will be the first to hear it. We have an incredible new singer in the band, Raphaël Brochet. I’m excited about the new music—it’s still very poetic, and for the first time, I’ve written all the lyrics myself.

CONCERTY: When you’re on tour, what are some bands or songs on your playlist? What inspires you daily while traveling?

THEOREM OF JOY: I don’t usually listen to much music while on the move. For me, listening to music is something I do at home. I still listen to CDs on a CD player (I know, a dinosaur!), but it’s a ritual for me to put on an album and really dive into it. Sometimes the playlists are thematic, like jazz or a mix of different genres, but sometimes they don’t make much sense. I prefer listening to full albums because I know good artists put meaning into the organization of the songs.

Upcoming projects and final thoughts

CONCERTY: As we near the end of our chat, we like to ask bands a few standard questions. Can you name three of your favorite bands?

THEOREM OF JOY: That’s a tough one… I’d say: Wayne Shorter (for jazz), Lili Boulanger (classical), Serge Gainsbourg (French music), Radiohead, and Fairuz (Arabic music)… oops, that’s already five!

CONCERTY: Name one band or artist you’d love to perform with.

THEOREM OF JOY: Radiohead or Jon Hopkins. Voision Xi? I mention her because Voision did an amazing Chinese version of our song "L'Hiver" (from our second album). I hope she’ll join us in Shanghai to sing it with us at JZ Club.

CONCERTY: We talked about your upcoming China tour earlier. Is there a place you haven’t performed yet but would love to, and why?

THEOREM OF JOY: I don’t want to make any other places jealous! But I have to thank Blue Note because they brought us to China for the first time in 2023, and the club in Beijing is amazing. Of course, Montreux Jazz Festival is a dream. I can’t wait to play at New JZ in Shanghai and Hangzhou. We’re also playing at Xiu Jazz Club in Changsha—the people are really nice, and the place looks amazing. We’ll end the tour with two concerts in Fujian with jazz guzheng player Lucy Luan. Plus, we’re performing another completely different program called Dysnomia Live with Alexandre Dupeyron. It’s an interactive photo concert creation. We’ll be doing this at DDC Beijing and Fotografiska Shanghai.

CONCERTY: Thanks for chatting with us! One last question: What can fans expect for the rest of 2024 and into 2025?

THEOREM OF JOY: We’ll be performing all the music from Dysnomia Live, alongside a special side project with photographer Alexandre Dupeyron. The teaser for Feux will be out soon. We’ll be recording the Feux album in December and January, with the first single out this spring. We’ll also have lots of stories to share from our adventure in China!

CONCERTY: Sure thing! Have an awesome time in China, and don't forget to check in with us after your trip. We can't wait to hear all about your adventures!

Website: theoremofjoy.com

Instagram: instagram.com/theoremofjoy

Facebook: facebook.com/Theoremofjoy