Julius Hafra
Musician, Stockholm
Julius Hafra is a musician living in Stockholm. He grew up on Gotland, Sweden’s largest island, spending his youth playing video games and being fascinated by American music, videos, and culture. He moved to Stockholm to study music, and began professionally recording and performing in 2011 under the moniker Jazzy Julle. After experiencing the music industry up close, he stepped back from the lifestyle–still making music occasionally–to experiment with other forms of art. Inspired by photo albums of his mother’s past travels, he began documenting his travels with film as well.
Tell us about some of the places you visited when shooting.
All pictures were taken in Stockholm/Sweden.
Record Mania is the place where I bought some of my first records, it means a lot to me, just had to get it in there.
My friend Ivan arranged a monthly DJ and live show event in the entry bar at the legendary jazz club Fasching in central Stockholm. A place where I’ve grown as a human, artist, and student. In this club, I’ve experienced smiles and cries. Ivan invited people to perform in between DJ-sets every monthly called THE BREAKdown. Me and many others performed during the season and the pictures inside Fasching are taken at the season finale.
Stockholm’s subway metro system is filled with art. I am a fiend for neon lights so at least 3 different subway train stations capturing neon.
My apartment in Hökarängen, different bars, and venues around the city.
You captured an array of portraits. Do you have any interesting stories about the people in the photos from the days you shot them?
Dam Funk on the keytar when he had a special performance in Stockholm this fall, the ambassador of funk!
I had some cocktails with my friend Curling and his girlfriend Bonita at a place called “Kåken.” The hazy red neon sign with people in front of it are from the same night, club life. And when leaving I found the mystical musician and friend Charles Elf dressed in a red suede jacket and some fly shades, so I had to take his photo in front of a cool porcelain wall.
Upcoming singer Juviiaa is turning up in one picture. I feel like home at Fasching so I wanted to document some aesthetic the same night the original Sugar Hill Gang performed in the big room.
My best friend Geovanni and his cousin’s ass, I’ll let the picture talk for itself. Swedes like to party.
My friends, the lovebirds Fricky & Cleo kissing in the night in front of a swampy tree, both big artists in the urban music scene in Sweden. Fricky called me one night asking if I wanted to hang out and I decided to bring the camera, they really capture that European glow in my opinion.
Most of your photos reflect a lot of nightlife, shows, music. How do you spend your daytime hours?
I work with mentally disabled people at a group home managing economy and everyday routines. But then I watch a lot of movies, listen to a lot of records, take walks, reading.
We noticed the color red frequently in your roll. Does that have special meaning to you?
The color red is the color of love, but also alarming, this time it was strictly coincidental
Do you remember what you bought when you were at the record store you photographed?
Sumy - Tryin To Survive
Aurra - Send Your Love
And Swedish boogie album ''Sad Motion'' by Sad Motion.
From tattoos to framed posters, Prince is referenced in your photos often. What’s your connection?
When you are caught up in the world of the little purple yoda, you are stuck and its a purple state of mind, and it will follow you everywhere you go. simple as that. the best one to ever do it.
How did you hear about Disposable?
One day I decided to go to a concert all by myself because all my friends flaunted me. I’m starting to talk to an American guy that was here in Stockholm to drink rare beer and listen to boogie. I’m telling him I shoot film and uses a lot of disposable cameras, and he tells me about you guys. Amazing what a little mingle can do sometimes.
Your idea of happiness?
Peace, love, new vinyl and when picking up freshly developed photos.
Your idea of misery?
When the post office loses your package.
If not yourself, who would you be?
a non-misogynist James Bond
Your heroes?
My mother and all my favorite musicians
What is your present state of mind?
Love
Bedside table books?
“Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain't That Funkin' Kinda Hard On You?: A Memoir”
What do you do if you can’t sleep at night?
Masturbate
A song?
Terrace Martin - Intentions
Right or left-handed?
Right
What is the best dish you can cook?
Swedish Pancakes
What is your middle name?
Peter
What do you do in your free time?
Go to concerts, buy records, dance and eat a lot of food.
What inspires you?
Traveling, meeting new people and neon signs, also the great entertainers before us.
What do you do for money?
Pimpin’
What do you do for pleasure?
Listen to music
Do you collect?
yes, records, tapes, movies and posters, multimedia.
Tea or coffee?
Coffee
What is the strangest thing you believed as a child?
That dinosaurs still were alive
A color?
Purple
A city?
Minneapolis
What are your plans for this weekend?
Chillin top billin
What do you usually eat for breakfast?
Sandwiches or yoghurt
If you could live in a different era?
1980s
Favorite fictional character?
Jamie Starr
Time travel is suddenly possible, when/where do you go?
Woodstock 1969
Skirts or pants?
Pants