Playlist: Nathalie Joachim

Nathalie Joachim, is a Grammy-nominated artist, as well as an Assistant Professor of Composition at Princeton University. An alumnus from the Julliard School, Joachim has been honing her craft as a flautist since the age of 10 as a participant of Julliard’s music advancement program. In her Grammy-nominated debut album Fanm d’Ayiti, meaning ‘Women of Haiti,’ Joachim draws from the well of her heritage, inspired by a trip to Haiti and the passing of her grandmother, whom Joachim credits with inspiring her to research female artists and voices in Haitian music.  

The traditions of oral history are infused into her musical practice—her debut is as much a research project as it is an album, with spoken-word pieces from iconic Haitian singers Emerante Morse and Toto Bissainthe, as well as Joachim’s late grandmother, interspersed throughout. With special attention to their impact on Haitian sound, Morse and Bissainthe are also cited as sonic inspirations for her highly anticipated upcoming album Ki moun ou ye.  

Joachim’s music fuses elements of Haitian folk music, classical compositions, and electronic pop, developing a catalogue with musical references ranging from Emeline Michel to Björk. With this playlist, experience the scope of influences Joachim pulls from, and prepare for the unique energy of her next chapter.

Nathalie Joachim comes to the Wex April 13.