JOL aus Sondershausen tauscht Blockflöte gegen Techno

Johanna Schneegans has traded the classical recorder for the DJ booth, carving out a unique space in the modern electronic music scene. At 22, the Sondershausen native has transitioned from winning international classical competitions as a teenager to performing at major techno festivals. Operating under the artist name JOL, Schneegans blends a rigorous musical education with the raw energy of the club circuit, proving that classical foundations are a powerful asset in digital production.

The Classical Foundation: From Sondershausen to Prague

Schneegans’ musical journey began in kindergarten with the recorder. Her early talent led her to the Musikgymnasium Schloss Belvedere in Weimar, a prestigious institution for highly gifted musicians. This period of her life was defined by discipline and traditional performance, culminating in a significant international achievement in the summer of 2018.

At age 14, Schneegans and her group, “Trio Illimitato”—consisting of herself on recorder, Matteo Hornig on guitar and Arnold Maklezow on accordion—won the Concertino Praga. This long-standing international competition, organized by Czech Radio, launched the trio into a whirlwind tour across Prague and South Bohemia. The experience included performances in churches, castles, and the German embassy, providing Schneegans with early exposure to high-pressure professional stages.

The Pivot to Techno: The Birth of JOL

Following her graduation (Abitur), Schneegans shifted her focus from the concert hall to the club. While starting a traineeship at the radio station Energy Nürnberg, she began DJing on weekends as part of a duo with her brother, Elias. While they initially played house music, Schneegans discovered a deeper passion for techno when she began writing her own tracks.

The artist name JOL (pronounced “JO’EL”) serves as a permanent tribute to this beginning, combining the first letters of Johanna and Elias. As her brother stepped back from the spotlight, Schneegans stepped forward, evolving into a solo artist and producer.

Balancing Three Worlds: Radio, Ice Cream, and Festivals

Despite her rising fame in the electronic scene, Schneegans maintains a grounded lifestyle through a diverse array of professional roles. Her current weekly routine is a study in versatility:

• Broadcasting: She works at the radio station Energy Sachsen, where she hosts her own evening show.
• Family Business: On weekends, she returns to Sondershausen to work as an ice cream seller in her family’s business, often reporting for duty even after late-night gigs.
• Performance: She performs at high-profile techno events, including Sputnik Springbreak and SonneMondSterne.

Schneegans attributes her ability to handle this demanding schedule to a “large social battery” and a genuine love for every aspect of her work, supported by her family and the musical influence of her late grandfather.

The Artistry and Influence of Classical Training

JOL’s approach to music is deeply personal. She writes her own lyrics and is frequently hired as a ghostwriter for other artists in the scene. Her songwriting often draws from daily life—ideas that strike her during jogs or conversations with friends—and explores themes relevant to young adults, such as love and the hedonistic culture of the club scene.

Interestingly, while her music touches on the drug use prevalent in techno culture, Schneegans prefers to party sober and avoids glorifying substance use in her work. She maintains a clear boundary between the motifs of the scene and her personal values.

Her classical training remains a cornerstone of her production process. Schneegans notes that her ability to sit at a piano and understand chord structures allows her to communicate more precisely with her producers, enabling her to articulate exactly what needs to be changed or refined in a track.

Looking Ahead: New Formats and Festivals

JOL continues to experiment with how she delivers music to her audience. She is currently developing a new online format featuring streams from a converted elevator. Her schedule remains packed with upcoming performances, including the Residenzfestival in Sondershausen, the Kultursommer in Poor Frankenhausen, and a return to the SonneMondSterne-Festival in Saalburg.