OSM: Hi Joshua, your new single ‘Sunflower Seeds’ is finally here. How does it feel to have your work released to the world?
It feels great! But there's also this sense of anxiety there as well. It's hard to know if people are going to like it, if it's going to do well. All that stuff. But all feedback I've got from this song has been super positive and I feel like it's my best work yet as well so I'm pretty excited about it all in all!
OSM: You have a strong and growing presence on both Twitch and Tik Tok. Has this helped your music career in any way and how so?
Oh absolutely. I've not really done any live shows or touring in a long time so playing music on Twitch is my live show right now. 90% on my audience has come from that platform really. Although with Twitch it feels more than just an audience it really feels like a community as there's a real personal connection there. I've really only just started on TikTok but it's a super fun place. I had a video pop off on there a while back and had people coming into my Twitch channel and commenting on YouTube stuff saying how they found me on TikTok so it's all great discoverability and fun to do too.
OSM: We absolutely love the single. What was the general songwriting process and are there any interesting stories around the recording?
Thank you! My process is pretty improvisational so it's a bit hard to remember sometimes. However I did try a lot of new things for this particular song. But yeah I really just try and go with the flow and not second guess myself too much. As honestly whenever you do anything there is 1 million different decisions you could've made but I think it's just important to stick with a vibe in music and go with it until the end. Otherwise you get yourself in a rut. The only funny story I can bring to mind, is that there was a point where I was working on the song pretty solidly for a few days, that one of my own lyrics was starting to haunt me: 'You've been working so hard. Everybody needs some release'.
OSM: What challenges have you faced since launching your career?
I think the constant challenge is just keeping up with everything without burning out and remembering to look after yourself. There's a lot required from being a music artist nowadays. Like it's not really enough to just make the music and that's it. You have to be constantly putting yourself out there in some way and that can be tough.
OSM: What are your plans for the year ahead?
I'm hoping to put out some more releases and I'm also hoping to start doing some collaborations here and there.
OSM: If you could change anything about the industry what would it be?
I always find this one tough to answer. As I try not to think about what I could change in the industry as it's not really within my power. I just try and think about how can I use what is available and what are the best parts about the tools we have right now and there's lots of good things. It's a lot easier to be an artist and own your music and your audience than it's ever been before. You don't really need to go begging around to labels or have your success be in the hands of someone else, you can start right now and just learn as you go. It's a lot of work but I think it's always been a lot of work. If it ever becomes more within my power to make changes within the industry then I'll start thinking about it more haha.
OSM: If you could share the stage with another band or performer who would it be?
Probably Radiohead, their music has been a super important part of my life for a long time.
OSM: What do you enjoy most about being a solo artist?
It's very instantaneous. If you have an idea you can turn it into a complete idea with a pretty quick turn around. However I do love collaborating and working with others too you learn so much about music that way.
OSM: And finally, what songs are on your playlist right now, which songs are you into at the moment?
Fontaines D.C – Skinty Fia
The Smile – Speech Bubbles
Nilüfer Yanya – The Dealer
Beach House – Only You Know
Caroline Polacheck – Billions
'Sunflower Seeds' is out now on all major streaming platforms.
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