Santa Barbara’s own Joveth, by way of the Philippines and Sweden, is a singer-songwriter and producer whose music is a vibrant blend of joy, introspection, and pure pop brilliance. With the latest single, “Money Can’t Buy Happiness,” and new EP Lonely Boy (out now via Voracious Records), Joveth is bringing listeners on a deeply personal yet undeniably catchy journey. Having already lit up stages at the Pacific Pride Festival, the Fest Forum Music Conference, and countless Santa Barbara venues, Joveth continues to make waves on the dance floor and in the hearts of his fans. We had the chance to have a fun chat with Joveth as he prepares to unveil Lonely Boy. We talked about how his cultural background influences his music, playing Pride festivals, and so much more.
JG: Joveth, I’ve really enjoyed the singles you’ve put out. The songs are bops. They radiate joy, but they also have moments of deep introspection. How do you balance these contrasting emotions in your songwriting and production?
Joveth: When I make my songs, it’s always the music. The music tells me where to go with the lyrics. I just kinda let it take charge. If the vibe is an upbeat dance song, maybe I’ll want it to be a dance song that reminds you of being in a club. Like, oh man, I just got broken up with by my partner, and now I’m going out to the club. That’s how I balance it. I start with the music and the lyrics just come naturally after that.
JG: Your song “Money Can’t Buy Happiness,” that song’s pretty straightforward and has a universal message. What led to the creation of that song?
Joveth: When I wrote that song, it was a very tough financial time in my life. I was in a rut and depressed. So I told myself, you know what? Why don’t I write a song about it? But I made it a happy song because there’s always a rainbow after the rain. Let’s make it an ironic song. Money can’t buy happiness, but you can use it as a tool to make yourself happy. That’s what that song is about. Because I’m talking about wanting money and what I wanna do with it. But ultimately, money can’t buy happiness. At the end of the day, it’s all about your mentality. During that time when I was struggling with money, I chose to be happy, and I was happy making that song.
JG: I’ve seen you describe your EP Lonely Boy as being about your inner child, healing, and love. It sounds like it’s going to be a reflection of your personal growth. What was the most challenging song for you to write emotionally?
Joveth: Emotionally? I would say, “Say My Name.” Not only was it a challenge to write that song, but there was something about the lyrics that was very haunting to me. Coming from Sweden, I tend to revisit my background in my lyrics at times. “Burn It” and “Say My Name” are two songs with an ancestral family type of vibe. Those definitely woke up some emotions internally within me that I felt like, holy shit. This is real. I have to bring this out in a song and use it as therapy for myself. “Say My Name” is saying I don’t mind at all if I do end up alone as long as you’re saying my name. It’s talking to my inner child and letting them know it’s okay to be broken. It’s okay to be struggling in life. You’re not alone in this, so help, let’s help one another.
JG: Totally. I’m sure that’s gonna resonate with a lot of people. You mentioned growing up in Sweden. I saw you also grew up in the Philippines as well. Karaoke culture plays a big role in your musical journey. How did that influence your sound?
Joveth: Obviously, Filipinos love karaoke. So it was this just natural thing for me to do as a kid, and I always wanted to sing in that microphone with my aunts and uncles and just families in general. It was just a common ritual thing we would do every weekend. I’m not even kidding. Instead of going to church, we would go to karaoke and sing.
Filipinos love ballads. I sang a lot of ballads throughout my childhood in terms of karaoke experiences. A lot of the vocal techniques and everything that I’ve learned in terms of how to sing and how to get my tone stems from ballads and soul music, so it has shaped a lot in terms of my vocal delivery.
JG: I can definitely pick up on that from listening to your music.
Joveth: There’s this twist a little bit of, like, you know, you have a little bit of a hip-hop, swaggy kind of hip-hop energy, but then you have a little bit of tribal energy as well. But most of the time, it’s a valid emotional, tonal aspect of delivery.
I don’t know how to express it. It’s just like, oh, love. You know what I mean?
JG: You’ve performed at some major events like the Pacific Pride Festival and Fest Forum Music Conference. What’s been your most memorable live performance so far?
Joveth: My most memorable performance so far? I feel like Pacific Pride was definitely memorable. There was a loving audience, and they supported the music. So, that was a good crowd. I did the after-party for Pacific Pride, and it was crowded. A full house. People were dancing,g and that’s all I wanted, just to see everyone having a good time and enjoying the art that I created.
JG: Are you gonna be a staple on the Pride festival circuit? There are a lot of Pride festivals around the world.
Joveth: I’d love to. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a major supporter. I’ve already gotten called for the next Pacific Pride. They want me to do the after-party and a full set with my band. But, absolutely, yes, I’m a major supporter, and I would love to perform and be a part of a community that is all about love.
JG: What can listeners expect from the EP? How do you see your sound evolving going forward?
Joveth: What you’re gonna get from this EP is vulnerability and big production from me. I’m showing off a lot of my skills in the studio, how I create my sounds and what possibilities there are. You’ll definitely hear a lot of vulnerability, strong vocals and just heartfelt genuine authenticity of this specific time of my life, going through the ups and downs.
And for future stuff, I’m always changing as an artist every year. I’m working on stuff right now. I like to call it Joveth 2.0. He’s a little bit more funky, so you’ll get more funk and more authentic live instruments but with the use of some electronic elements. He’s going to be a different kind of character. It’s my alter ego, I would say.
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