Joachim Cooder grew up surrounded by music. His father, legendary guitarist Ry Cooder, would take him on the road at an early age, first as a viewer, and then in his early teens, as a player.
Joachim’s first instrument was the drums, playing with Ry both live and in the studio. These touring and recording projects allowed him to share stages and recordings with Johnny Cash, Ali Farke Toure, V. M. Bhatt, Steve Earle, John Lee Hooker, Dr. John, Nick Lowe, and most notably the Buena Vista Social Club. Over the years Joachim has maintained this close relationship with his father, solidifying his reputation as a lyrical drummer, and branching out on projects of his own.
Joachim produced Carly Ritter’s self-titled debut album (Tex Ritter’s granddaughter), and composed the score for films such as the cult surf classic Shelter and Charged:The Eduardo Garcia Story, which recently premiered at The Santa Barbara Film Festival (Winner, Audience Choice Award). His collaborations have taken him into the world of dance where he teamed up with choreographer Daniel Ezralow (Across The Universe, Spider Man: Turn The Dark Off) to compose and perform live in an Ezralow Dance career retrospective.
But it wasn’t until his wife and long-time collaborator Juliette Commagere became pregnant that he began writing and singing his own songs. “We were in Nashville to produce a friend’s record in January – it was snowing – every morning I would wake up and play my electric mbira I brought through a little amp and start singing,” Joachim says. It became the beginning of his solo project and eventual EP titled Fuscia Machu Picchu. The songs are about longing, love, plants, and the inner life of inanimate objects.
The sound is very much inspired by the world music he grew up. “I’m always hearing some sort of defunct cosmic ice cream truck in my head – that’s the sound I’m after with my mbiras and tank drums and other tuned percussion. Hopefully people will get that."
