A Chat with Frank Joshua (31.03.22)
Based in London, England, singer-songwriter Frank Joshua shares his authentic, unique and original music with the masses. We speak with the artist about his new album Sense Life, future plans and much more.
OSR: It’s noted that you don’t like to show your face as an artist. Why is this?
Frank Joshua: It’s a sort of shyness combined with a social experiment. Music used to be consumed because something about the sound of the artist spoke to you. You didn’t need to see what they ate for breakfast and you could allow your imagination to fill in the blanks. I like the idea of that so I’m seeing where it takes me, and it’s my thing now! No face, just music.
OSR: What can you tell us about your album Sense Life?
Frank Joshua: That it’s a better album for working with Numen Records than it would have been had I put it out on my own. That the genius, care, and quality of producer Tony White really shines through the whole piece. But mainly, I’m so happy with the way it’s been received. A recent review called it “a timeless universe of melodic pop…”. Another said it was “…a truly enriching experience! Sophisticated, opinionated and always authentic…” It may sound wet and weird but those two made me cry a bit. It’s really scary putting yourself out there, so it really lands when you get lovely feedback from reviewers and fans alike.
OSR: Did you face any challenges when writing or recording the album?
Frank Joshua: I’ve been working on the material for years with Tony White and have an archive of about 30 tracks that I think are all pretty good, but I was too close to them. So, having Mozez, from Numen Records, come in fresh and start helping to make choices really lifted the project and gave it a cleaner direction. It also means that the next two albums are fairly clearly mapped out.
OSR: If you could change anything about Sense Life, what would it be?
Frank Joshua: That it didn’t take so long to get it released.
OSR: Which is your favourite track on Sense Life?
Frank Joshua: As a songwriter, you tend to favour the newest thing you wrote so that would be ‘Panic In The Kitchen’, but it’s too hard to choose really. It’s easy to be hyper-critical and I’m trying to leave that part of me behind.
OSR: What motivates you to make music?
Frank Joshua: I wish I knew! ‘Cause maybe I could make it stop! That sounds flippant but I kind of mean it. I’ve left music behind a few times in my life and it always finds its way back to me, and always via the songs. Songwriting seems to be the fascination and the driver.
OSR: What do you hope people take from Sense Life?
Frank Joshua: I’d like people to take whatever works for them from it. That’s why I like getting these lovely reviews. It’s fascinating to hear what other people’s minds have made of something you’ve made.
OSR: We like to add some random questions, so here we go. What was a situation you thought would be terrible but actually enjoyed?
Frank Joshua: I did a small gig recently and I wasn’t happy with bits of my performance and knew that that would come across to the audience, so I was beating myself up about it. Then my friend showed me the video and you couldn’t tell a thing was wrong from looking at me, which is a good lesson in both stagecraft and life.
VIEW AT OWN DISCRETION
OSR: If someone were to sum you up with a phrase, what would that phrase be?
Frank Joshua: Can I have the phrase from the review I mentioned earlier – “sophisticated, opinionated, and always authentic…” I’d like to think that’s true.
OSR: Do you have any future plans as a musician?
Frank Joshua: Promote the album, do some gigs and start putting the next album together. In the meantime, we’ve got a remix of the single ‘Sense Life’ done by Jon Kennedy coming out in a few weeks. As is the way with remixes, it’s taken me out of my comfort zone (always a good thing) and I’ve had to readjust my settings and take in another branch of music, which I’ve really warmed to during the process. It should be coming out on 22nd April.
OSR: Do you have any message for our readers?
Frank Joshua: Please follow and subscribe everywhere and click like crazy!! It’s a cliche, but like all good cliches, it’s true. There really isn’t anything better people can do to support an artist than sign up to them and keep supporting them. I always email back when people write to me, so sign up to the newsletter and keep in touch. Then bask in the warm smugness of knowing that you knew about Frank Joshua long before anyone else!
Many thanks to Frank Joshua for speaking with us. For more from Frank Joshua check out his official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
