Interview with Joshu

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

My mum was a music teacher and my dad was a singer/songwriter in a previous life in the 70s, so I was musically indoctrinated from a very young age. But I really fell in love with music after I began learning the guitar at age 12. I couldn’t stop playing, I brought a guitar with me everywhere I went, to friend’s houses, to the beach, to breakfast. I started writing songs by 14 and convinced my parents to let me drop out of school at 16 (genius move). The only condition was that I had to have a backup plan if my music career tanked, so I taught myself how to build and program websites, which is probably what I’d be doing if I never got into music. But I also have a mushroom farm in Antigua, so maybe it would have been that I’m not sure!

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I love to sail and be on the ocean. It’s hugely influenced my creativity, in fact my new EP ‘way back home' was written largely on an Atlantic crossing from England to Antigua.

How long have you been making music?

I wrote my first song at 14 years old, it was called “Latitudes of Silence” lol.

Where are you based and how did that influence your music?

I’m based in Antigua in the Caribbean where I grew up, and I draw a lot of influence from the island. I love calypso and reggae music, which seep into my own writing in subtle ways. But I think just being in this environment contributes a certain calm energy to my expression.

Tell me about your most memorable shows, if you haven’t played live what is your vision for a live show?

I’ve played at festivals for up to 1000 people, but I think my favourite shows have always been smaller intimate ones where the audience is close and we can all go on a musical journey together.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

I like playing in unexpected places. My next EP launch event is going to be on a raft up of sailing boats!

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

Adrianne Lenker, Nick Mulvery, Magic Lantern, Hose Gonzalez, Leonard Cohen (you didn’t say they had to be alive still right?)

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

1. There’s loads of paths in the music industry and you don’t necessarily have to be an artist (producer/mixer/songwriter/live sound/etc) so be open to that.

2. Keep practicing ALL THE TIME. Whether it’s playing or writing or producing, all of these skills are muscles which you need to flex and they’ll only ever get better.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

Ooh, that's a hard question…. It’s definitely changed over time, so at the moment definitely one from the new EP: holding on. This song really helped me to process a lot of complex stuff throughout the writing and production process. It was intensely difficult to produce (I restarted from scratch about 5 times!) and that hardship was a huge lesson in the creative process for me.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

Where Did the Time Go is definitely my most requested song. I love playing it, but my favourite to play might be honey in the dark. The guitar part is really satisfying and I’m really proud of the lyrics.

What is your creative process, and what inspires you to write your music?

I almost always start with music. I just sit down with the guitar or at the piano and see what comes out in that moment. I just follow things I like and sometimes they stick and sometimes they don’t. I keep a running diary of quotes and words that intrigue me, and refer back to that when I’m stuck with lyric ideas.

Do you have messages that you like to get across in your music? if so please tell me about them.

Not so much messages as feelings. If I can express something in myself that a listener can relate to, there’s some kind of transmutation that happens. As an artist you can draw shared emotions out of the listener, and that connection is what I strive for. If it makes me feel something, it’s probably going to make at least one other person, somewhere, feel something too.

Do you have any new singles, videos, or albums out that you would like to tell me and your fans about?

Yes! My new EP way back home is out now. It’s the first record I’ve ever self-produced and I’m really proud of it!

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

I’ll be focussed on releasing consistently in 2025. But for now I’d just spotlight the way back home EP.

How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?

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