FT: You’ve just released a new album Lend an Ear (revisited). It has been more than decade in the making. Why?
JB: It was originally an album I kept trying to hide from, but people kept asking me about it. Instead of being ashamed of it, I decided to turn it into a positive and document the process of re-arranging and re-recording the whole thing. As I had a bunch of other projects, tours, festivals and jobs on the go, this had to be a side-project. So it has trundled along in the background for a while and is finally finished! Taking away the time pressure has allowed me to consider the arrangements more carefully and also to explore why these songs should be sung at all; why now and who do they serve?
FT: The songs on the album range from the political, ‘Ye Jacobites By Name’ to out and out mythology with your interpretations of JRR Tolkien’s works. How did it feel going back to that time and are those songs still relevant to where you are in life today?
JB: As I mention in the liner notes, the working on the album ended up being an unexpectedly emotional trip down memory lane. I first recorded the album in my second year at York St John uni in a student bedroom. Working on the album has taken me back to that time which has been so special. It has pushed me to work harder at the friendships I made during that time. On a musical level, it has been the perfect ‘reset’ button – I chose these songs first time round simply because they inspired me. I’ve re-learned that I should be making the music that inspires me and not to overthink too much. And if it inspires me, hopefully that enthusiasm will spread to others.
I think we all need a reset from time to time to remind ourselves why we do what we do and to consider if we’re heading in the right direction.
FT: Speaking of ‘Ye Jacobites By Name’. You shot a video for the song on the Isle of Mull which turned into a race against the elements. Despite the hardship, and looking totally drenched in one shot, was it fun?
JB: Yeah! I went up with my brother Ben who filmed the whole thing. It was great to spend some time together as we don’t get to that often. We staying with some lovely people too who looked after us so well. On the way up, we met an old friend – Pete Mitchell – who helped out with some filming. He said, “There’s different degrees of fun. First degree is when you’re enjoying it at the time. Second degree fun is when you only realise it was fun afterwards. Third degree fun is when you don’t have fun but other people have fun afterwards at your expense.”
Considering the excellent company, exhilarating weather conditions and realising I’d forgotten my drumsticks in York, we had elements of first, second and third degree fun.
FT: You undertook a mini tour of The Netherlands last year. How did that go and how did it lead to you booking a concert in a medieval castle?
JB: It was amazing fun! Again, the first thing that comes to mind is how lovely everyone was and how well looked after we were. The full-house on the final night was so unexpected and encouraging at the same time. Our hosts took us to see an old castle where they put on concerts and asked if we’d like to do one. Provided we’re allowed to come on stage to the sound of coconuts clip-clopping behind us, I said yes please!
FT: You’ve also seen big changes in your work and personal life recently. Parenthood and taking up music as a full-time career. How’s it all going?
JB: It took quite a few years for Lyra to come along so Fe & I are completely over the moon. Although it was a painful time to wait, it allowed us to plan and save which has given me time to work out if I can do music full-time and if it’s what I want to do. Ask me again mid-touring season, but at the moment it is so special to have more flexibility with working hours so I can spend more time with Lyra and be there for every step of her growing up.
I’m not at the stage that original music can pay the bills yet, but momentum is starting to build fast, which is very rewarding and encouraging. I feel immensely grateful for all the people who believe in my music because they’re the reason I’m able to give this a proper shot.
FT: As well as going out on tour in February and March you are also digging into your archives for another project that may see a vinyl release.
JB: When I was 14, my parents moved us to France. I remember feeling like I’d been pulled out of my world into another and in those times, fantasy stories feel as real as your reality. My brother Ben had written a poem for some homework and one evening gave me a microphone, played some chords and told me to sing the words – no tune, just improvise. The song was called ‘Upon The Lake’ and it started off a whole universe of fantasy-inspired songs that were an escape to me during those angsty teenage years. A few years later, I added songs I wrote with Nathan Greaves, then when we went to uni, we recorded the album. I remember being a nightmare to work with because I had such a clear picture in my head and insisted everything was ‘real’ – i.e. no samples.
I’ve spent some time getting the project tidied and remixed to a point I’m really happy with it and now I love listening back to just to hear Ben and Nathan’s phenomenal guitar playing and going back into the worlds of the songs we wrote together.
Separately, I’ve wanted to do a project released exclusively on vinyl, half to give the finger to the tech companies who have made making music sustainably so difficult for independent artists; half to do a kind of experiment to see if it is possible to release an album like the used to.
Since ‘Valénor’ was so closely inspired by 70s rock, it dawned on me I already had the album for this project. My goal is to build interest on YouTube and socials until I have 500 followers on Bandcamp, then do everything I can to try and sell 500 copies upon release. Then it’ll be out there and that’ll be it – it’ll only exist in the collections of those who got a copy.
Here’s the Bandcamp page if anyone is interested.
FT: How far along the road to the Albert Hall are you?
JB: It’s a difficult one to know for sure. Whenever we’re on tour, I feel overwhelming support for the idea from everyone so I just need to find how to scale it up! The numbers are gradually building on the mailing list, but the next step is to play a sold out tour of the UK to grab the attention of RAH promoters.
That bit is proving tricky – some areas sell out quickly, but others don’t. I’m hoping that by being more active on socials and YouTube with more releases this year, it’ll start to build.
FT: Thanks for your time and I’ll see you on the road.
JB: Thanks for having me – see you in Glasgow!
Full dates and tickets for Joshua’s upcoming U.K. tour dates and the Netherlands castle show can be found online.