Over the past few years, Joseph Trem has quietly established himself as one of independent pop's most emotionally articulate new voices. Through a growing catalogue of deeply personal releases, the singer-songwriter has built a reputation for pairing intimate storytelling with cinematic production, creating songs that feel as vulnerable as they are expansive.
His latest single 'Freud' continues that evolution. Beginning with little more than piano and voice before gradually unfolding into an emotionally immersive soundscape, the track explores the challenge of communicating anxiety to someone who may never fully understand it. Honest, restrained and quietly powerful, it further showcases Trem's gift for translating complex inner experiences into compelling, universally relatable music.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I fell in love with the piano when I was five years old. The first thing I learned to play was the first part of "Axel F" because I was deeply inspired by that scene in Monsters vs. Aliens, where the president makes contact with the alien ship and plays "Axel F," and the alien is so unimpressed that he smashes the keyboard. Besides that, the piano is just so cool.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I loved listening to Billy Joel, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, and Elton John. My dad's music taste clearly had boundless influence, but I'm glad because I still love these artists. To this day, I'm a piano player, so I guess I really took "Piano Man" to heart.
What was the first album you remember owning?
When I was ten, my dad took me to the store and bought me 1989 by Taylor Swift. I remember listening to that CD on loop: in the shower, in the car with my mom, at school. And that was when I wrote my first song. That album was basically the reason I started writing songs. My first song was called "Betrayal"... 10-year-old me was clearly going through it.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
I wish I had written “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell. Because I really don’t know life at all.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
"Rituals" is a strong word. I kind of just stare into space, feeling some kind of feeling, and then I sit down at the piano and start writing melodies and lyrics. I really wish it was more elegant than that. For me, new music ideas hit randomly like lightning strikes, and my only ritual is trying to capture them whenever they happen. It's something that just happens spontaneously, and I try to go with it.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I've been loving Olivia Rodrigo, SZA, Taylor as always, Phoebe Bridgers, twzzl, and Pink Floyd (specifically the Barrett era). My friend put me onto Neutral Milk Hotel, and I've been super into them. I'm all over the map.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
It would be a dream to open for Sombr. I really admire him as a songwriter, producer, and vocalist. I've seen clips of him performing, and it looks absolutely amazing. To be a part of that would be an honor.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
When I finish a song, I realize I've captured a very specific emotion or experience that I've been going through and turned it into something. It's very fulfilling to be able to document a stage of your life and do it in a way that's creative. You look back on something you've made and realize that it's actually a manifestation of your human experience. The art transcends the initial subject that inspired it, and it becomes something more—something that can be applied to different situations. When my fans tell me they relate to my music and can connect it to their lives, it shows me that I've really captured something precise, and that's the best feeling.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Sometimes you get stuck. Just like in life. Sometimes you feel like your life is going nowhere, and sometimes your art feels the same way. You have to grow in order for your art to grow with you, and oftentimes growth is uncomfortable and feels like regression. Other times, you're not growing at all—you're just stagnant. Dry spells in my life often correlate to dry spells in my art, and that can be very disheartening.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
My favourite teacher ever, Professor Gilad Cohen, said that artists should surprise themselves. Whenever you make something, you should strive to do something you didn't think you could do. I try to do that in any music I make. In ways big or small, I try to go a little bit outside of my comfort zone. It's the only way to grow. When you finish something, you realize you've pushed yourself further than you ever thought you could go, and that's a really sick feeling.
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Joseph Trem's new single 'Freud' is out now. Check it out in the player below.