JOSH Thomas polished his act playing with several bands after finishing his studies in 2013. The singer-musician formed his self-titled name in 2019, and began performing live gigs until early last year.
Josh has just released his band’s first single Still Falling on streaming platforms.
“The pandemic gave me time to record my single, since live shows are not going to be a thing in the near future. So, I’m using this opportunity to release it,” the blues rock musician told theSun.
On why he started his own band, Josh said it was simply because he realised he has his own ideas and ways in looking at songs.
Forming an outfit under his own name gives him room for more creative freedom to write and play what he wants.
Prior to the pandemic, Josh performed with Jone Yeoh and Chloe (of Skies Are Red).
Styles and sounds
Josh explained that the new song’s sound is influenced by The Black Keys, The White Stripes and Arctic Monkeys.
“My sound is a mix of different influences,” Josh said.
“Basically, the 2000s garage rock kind of vibe. Also the 60s British Invasion, blues and classic rock kind of bands.’’
Written in early 2019, Still Falling is the first song he wrote under his own name.
“I have written a lot of songs for my bands previously. I like how direct and simple it is, as well as how much it speaks to me in my current life,” he said.
During the long-gone pre-Covid days, this song was one Josh particularly enjoyed playing the most on stage, which was further fueled by good response from listeners.
Lyrically, the musician said he would let listeners take what they want from it, but that the vibe would be mostly blues rock and alternative rock.
Depth in lyricism
Asked about the content of his song, Josh said: “To go into the lyrics a little bit, it’s about someone who is down and out of luck, and still falling. It is framed in terms of a relationship, but it could mean anything.”
Like many others who were active in the music scene, particularly the indie underground, Josh feels the pandemic has pulled the handbrake on his music career.
“At the start of 2020, I was super optimistic with what I wanted to do with the band. It was the year I invested a lot into my gear. I managed to play one show and then the massive full-stop happened,” Josh said.
“The pandemic gave me a lot of time to look at my songs and what I want to sound like. It also caused me to record this single in a way so that I could continue putting music out there.”
Not one to give up
As a full-time engineer, Josh pursues music as part of his escape from the nine-to-five grind, and he claims it is the one thing that gives him balance in life.
“Pre-Covid, after coming back from work, I’m either rehearsing, watching someone else’s live show, or playing my own show. Merdekarya was like a second home to me.”
“I think musicians coming up feel comfortable doing the cover band thing, but Brian and Melanie have pushed each and every artiste to come up with their own material,” he said.
On his future plans, Josh says it depends entirely on the pandemic but also that he has a plan, even if the lockdown does not lift.
“Let’s assume the lockdown continues. If that is the case, I would definitely want to put out more singles. I’m already working on a few to record so that I can keep the momentum going.”
