Following on from an immersive array of delights throughout last year, Antiguan singer-songwriter Joshu is now kicking off his 2025 with his eagerly-awaited new EP 'way back home'.
Featuring the previously shared efforts 'holding on' and 'honey in the dark', this new five-track collection makes for a wonderfully warm and absorbing listen. With his smooth and tender vocals making light work of its glittering production at every turn, 'way back home' continues to cement him as one of the more endearing names on the rise right now.
So with the new EP available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I started playing piano at 8, but it wasn’t until I started guitar at age 12 that I really fell in love with an instrument. I had my first lesson and that same evening I went back to the music block and practiced for 3 hours. Then you couldn’t catch me without a guitar for the next 8 years.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
How much younger?? My mum always told me she played Mozart and classical music to my in the womb, it was meant to make you smarter (let’s hope it worked!). I grew up on a lot of old 60s and 70s records from my parents so I always loved the singer/songwriters like Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen. But naturally I went through a million different music phases, from Indie Pop to Classic Rock to Emo to Reggae…
What was the first album you remember owning?
It was my 11th birthday and my best friend as boarding school got me 2 CDs and left them in my locker for me to find. ‘Costello Music’ by The Fratellis, and ‘the Black Parade’ by My Chemical Romance. What an eclectic little bean.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Good question! Lots come to mind but I’ll go with ‘Both Sides, Now’ by Joni Mitchell. It’s just one of the most perfectly constructed songs and gives me all the feels every time I hear or play it.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
It changes all the time, I don’t have a particular things I do every time. I just try to get myself into an open flow state, ready to receive whatever’s swimming around in the collective consciousness.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Adrianne Lenker, Hohnen Ford, Will Paquin, The Magic Lantern.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Adrianne Lenker probably! She’s the songwriter of our generation, c’mon.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The act of writing as well as playing with others. I love impromptu jam sessions more than anything.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The fact that it’s impossible to do sustainably without monetising oneself and one’s work as a commodity in a capitalist economy. But alas.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
My late guitar teacher Roland Prince always told me “never be the best in the band” because then you you’re not improving.
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Joshu's new EP 'way back home' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.