J Fernandez AKA: Justin Fernandez, came to Chicago in 2008 to work for map company Rand McNally. After three EPs, his 2015 debut LP Many Levels of Laughter. That year also saw him share the stage with the likes of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Alvvays, Mitski, and Ezra Furman.

Recently, J Fernandez shared the Alexa Viscius-directed video for new track “Volcanic Winter,” from his new record, Occasional Din, which came out on Friday, Nov. 9th, on Joyful Noise Recordings.

Enlisting the mixing services of Cooper Crain (Bonnie Prince Billy, Circuit Des Yeux, Bitchin Bajas), along with utilizing instruments such as vibraphone and clavinet, Fernandez fleshes out the orchestration and flair for experimentation he began to explore in his debut. This also meant a diligent month-long search for a harpsichord which ended with him recording in a stranger’s basement.

Fernandez on “Overall the mood is pretty bleak, but I think the musical content balances it out. I was aiming to write a feel-good soundtrack but with somewhat grim lyrics.”

J Fernandez
Occasional Din
Joyful Noise Recordings

1. Common Sense
2. Unwind
3. Volcanic Winter
4. Don’t Need Anything
5. Wildfire
6. Expressive Machine
7. Rewards
8. Assorted Balloons
9. Method Acting
10. Light Years