‍ ‍

https://platinummind.net/index.php/2021/11/26/blog-interview-frank-joshua/

‍ ‍

Blog interview: Frank Joshua

‍ ‍

by administratorupdated on 26/11/2021

‍ ‍

Congratulations on the release of Free how does it feel? 

‍ ‍

It’s been a journey I have to tell you.  I’ve been working on these tracks for years and to have 7 out in one year is a weird feeling!

‍ ‍

It’s your seventh single, what’s the story behind it? 

‍ ‍

Free is a song a about breaking away and finding your own feet.  Which is a bit how I feel about finally releasing all this music.  It’s not until you’re actually out the door that you really start to get a feel for what it means to you.  That’s what the song’s trying to convey.

‍ ‍

It comes from your forthcoming album due out in March, what’s it been like recording it? 

‍ ‍

It’s been a process for sure.  I was just making my music with producer, Tony White, over the past few years, then out of the blue Mozez, from Numen Records, pops up and ask if I’ve got any material to release as he’s looking to develop some artists, and away we went.  I’ve got a vault of tracks that are ready to go, so each time we come around to a release we have a trawl through the vault and Mozez picks one that gets to him and then we work on the video etc and get going with it.  It’s a nice way to work and the album is kind of making itself from the that process.

‍ ‍

What were the challenges and positives you’ve faced recording it? 

‍ ‍

Tony White and I have had a way of working for years now whereby I give him the demo, or even just the guitar and vocal version, and he gets time alone with it to work it up into the track. As our method suited remote interaction, Covid has sort of validated it and made us get deeper into giving each other space to do our own thing with the music.  Drawing a positive out of a pandemic feels wrong but this at least has been something good to come out of it.

‍ ‍

You’re a singer songwriter from London who doesn’t like to show your face, how did it all begin for you? 

‍ ‍

I started making music years and years ago and had to give it all up to look out for my young family.  By the time I came back to it properly, I’d developed another life and it didn’t really sit with the music, so I just kept myself out of it.  Now it’s become a thing and I like that the music gets to speak for itself.  We live in such a face centred world, the Me & I of everything, it feels good to take a personal step back.

‍ ‍

What did you listen to growing up? 

‍ ‍

I have a kind of Bowie meets Funk thing.  When I was young, I had two distinct groups of friends who didn’t really mix, one into Bowie & Indie, the other into soul, funk and jazz.  So I feel like everything I do is pulling in both directions.  As I’ve got older there’s a more mellow vibe to everything I do, which I hope is some sort of maturity finally finding me, but that may be wishful thinking.

‍ ‍

Tell us about your artwork, you don’t use your own face in your covers, what’s the inspiration behind it? 

‍ ‍

It’s from that sense of not wanting to be the focus.  Sometimes it frustrates the label but mostly it just makes us have to work a bit harder on trying to match the image to the song.

‍ ‍

COVID has impacted the creative industry in a big way, what kept you motivated? 

‍ ‍

I got a label during Covid, so in a way I’m more motivated than ever.  I made music when I knew it was just going to sit on a hard drive, I guess because I couldn’t not.  Now I’ve got a purpose, it’s easy!

‍ ‍

2020 was a time to reflect what did you learn about yourself? 

‍ ‍

That I keep making the same mistakes, in life, in music, in relationships, so I have to keep working at it!

‍ ‍

Did you pick up any new skills? 

‍ ‍

I think my guitar playing got better (it had a long way to go!) which is more progression than new, but still good.  Having to be at home all the time also meant having the guitar to hand all the time, which must have helped.

‍ ‍

What are you listening to at the moment? 

‍ ‍

Burt Bacharach!  I’ve gone crazy for him for some reason.  It was through the Elvis Costello album ‘Painted from Memory’ from 1998, which just came onto my Spotify for some reason and now I can’t leave it alone.  Like most musicians, I obsessed over something then move on.  But Bacharach is such a genius I’m hoping it won’t pass too soon! 

‍ ‍

What are you looking forward to most in 2022? 

‍ ‍

The album, more singles and some gigs!!  What else is there!

‍ ‍

 

‍ ‍

https://www.theothersidereviews.com/a-chat-with-frank-joshua-31-03-22/

‍ ‍

A Chat with Frank Joshua (31.03.22)

‍ ‍

April 1, 2022NicoleIndie Rock,Pop Rock,soft rock

‍ ‍

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.

‍ ‍

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 websiteFacebookTwitterInstagram and Spotify.

‍ ‍

 

‍ ‍

https://dizystroms.blogspot.com/2023/01/dj-interviews-frank-joshua.html

‍ ‍

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

‍ ‍

DizyStroms Interviews: Frank Joshua

‍ ‍

Here's my interview with singer Frank Joshua

‍ ‍

How'd you get started in music?

‍ ‍

Like most people I started playing in bands and writing songs at school when I was about 16.  I didn’t really mean for it to become a career but it kept coming back to me whenever I tried to leave it alone, so here I am.  Again!

‍ ‍

Who are your inspirations or influences?

‍ ‍

I’m mostly interested in songs.  The basic melody, chords, lyrics of them.  So, anyone who writes great songs appeals to me.  I can go from Prince, Bowie or Prefab Sprout to Lizzo, Taylor Swift or Dua Lipa – it’s all about the songs for me.

‍ ‍

What advice would you offer aspiring performers?

‍ ‍

Stop listening to other people and start listening to yourself.  It’s a cliché but it’s so hard to do.  Writing, singing and performing are very revealing things to do.  You expose parts of yourself, often without quite realising it, which can make you seek external reassurance.  And if you look for that in the wrong places it can take you away from where you need to be.  So, stay strong and find yourself in there.

‍ ‍

How do you set yourselves apart from other bands or singers?

‍ ‍

Not using my face or image, as part of the promotion, is unusual in the social media age, I think. Plus, I’m not afraid to jump genres and work in a counter-intuitive way with remixers and collaborators.  I work up from the song each time, which feels like an old-fashioned way of doing things, but it works for me.

‍ ‍

Any new gigs or albums in the future

‍ ‍

We’re still working on a summer schedule of shows, and my second album is just out/out on Friday it’s called ‘Talk Of Things’ and includes lots or remixes from the first album ‘Sense Life’ as well as a couple of brand-new tracks.  Next up we’ll be releasing tracks form the 3rd album starting with ‘Bluebell Wood’ in February.  It’s a journey that seems to be speeding up all the time but I love it!

‍ ‍

Posted by Dizzy Storms at 9:30 AM 

‍ ‍

 

‍ ‍

https://nenesbutler-presents.blogspot.com/2023/02/uncertainty-of-new-love-and-bluebell.html

‍ ‍

February 24, 2023

‍ ‍


February 24, 2023

‍ ‍

... the uncertainty of a new love and ...: "Bluebell Wood" by Frank Joshua

‍ ‍

Q&A Today: Frank Joshua

‍ ‍

Who is the human behind the artist Frank Joshua and how did you get into music?

‍ ‍

Like most people I started singing because the friends at school I hung out with wanted to start a band and needed a singer and I didn’t really play an instrument. The song writing and guitar playing came a bit later but that first ‘wanting to belong’ thing is powerful and can take you places I’ve always found.

‍ ‍

"Bluebell Wood" is an amazing piece of Pop and sounds fantastic, what was your inspiration?

‍ ‍

Thank you! I love the fact that you called it Pop. I’m such a fan of the pop song. It’s the thing I’m drawn to whatever I’m listening to. The lyric comes from the uncertainty of new love and the anxiety of not knowing quite where the other person is at and the concern that what you feel might not be reciprocated.

‍ ‍

Over 20 releases in 2 years, that’s an impressive number, what are your own Top 3 at the moment?

‍ ‍

I hate this question! I can love and hate them all in equal measure, depending on my mood and which one I’ve just been struggling with. But I am pleased with how ‘Bluebell Wood’ has turned out, I still like ‘Hope Truth & Iodine’ and probably ‘Panic in the Kitchen’ but I already feel disloyal to the others.

‍ ‍

The first two albums are brilliant, now you are working on album number three what can we expect from?

‍ ‍

Thank you! ‘Bluebell Wood’ is a good hint at the direction of the next album. There will be more old-fashioned song writing paired with imaginative and excellent production if I say so myself. It’s such a privilege to be able to work on album number three. When we started, I never imagined we’d get this far and, if anything, I feel the next crop of songs are the strongest yet.

‍ ‍

How do you decide that a song is ready for a release?

‍ ‍

That’s the pleasure of working with a label like Numen Records. I have my say but they’re pretty good at saying what they think is ready and when it should go out. Which takes the pressure off to quite a large extent. It leaves me free to concentrate on the tracks themselves.

‍ ‍

From ‘Panic in the Kitchen’ to your new release , how would you describe your songwriting evolution?

‍ ‍

Funnily enough ‘Panic in the Kitchen’ was one of the later songs that I’ve written. It just happened to be the one Numen wanted to put out first. But I’d say overall that there’s an older head writing now. 

‍ ‍

There’s more in there about living within a long-established relationship, rather than the new love thing. And I like to think I’m less prone to the cliches. But then I’ll find another one that just fits so well! They’re called cliches for a reason.

‍ ‍

How important are "socials" in your opinion for the indie music scene and for yourself?

‍ ‍

They’re vital. Simple as. It’s just not possible to break anything without attention and the attention is all on socials. I worried at first about not using my face as part of the social media promotion but, if anything, it seems to have added to what people find interesting. It’s nice to find something that focusses on the music first rather than personality, I guess.

‍ ‍

 

‍ ‍

https://newartistspotlight.org/2026/01/19/nas-10-questions-with-frank-joshua/

‍ ‍

NAS 10 Questions with Frank Joshua

‍ ‍

This time, we get to know Frank Joshua, No face, just music!

‍ ‍

Dream Pop artist based in London UK harking back to 80s style singer-songwriter with flashes of Electro Pop.

‍ ‍

The track “Seeking to Hide” is featured in the New Artist Spotlight Family of Playlists.

‍ ‍

1. Tell us a little about where you are from and what you are currently doing.

‍ ‍

I’m from London, UK and having spent the past few years writing and recording the best music I can make, I’m now hell bent on a fast and furious release strategy to try and lift these songs above the background noise of 60,000 uploads per day.

‍ ‍

2. What inspired you to start playing and making music?

‍ ‍

I wish I knew! Because I’m not honestly sure I think it’s a good thing. And might want to have a word with who or whatever put such a stupid idea into my head. I’ve tried to give it up a few times but it always comes back in some form and there I am, guitar and pencil in hand.

‍ ‍

I started fiddling around with music and bands at school. But I was the one who always wanted to take things further. I actually grew up in a town just outside London, and as soon as I turned 18, I knew I had to be in the city doing music, no matter what. And the rest of the band weren’t ready to make the commitment and take the risk I guess.

‍ ‍

𝟯. Who are your biggest influences?

‍ ‍

I’m mostly drawn to song writing. So people like Burt Bacharach and Stevie Wonder, who have the art of song-craft down so well, always turn my head. But I also admire those big contemporary songwriters, like Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift, who have been honing their craft for years.

‍ ‍

4. What are your goals in the music industry?

‍ ‍

I’m hoping I can produce a catalogue of high quality, superb sounding, songs that will stand the scrutiny when one of them breaks.

‍ ‍

5. Tell us about your creative process when you make new music.

‍ ‍

It’s generally a chord, lyric, melody combination that catches me somehow. Usually played on guitar but can be piano sometimes. And then I start to try and uncover the rest of the song. I have to get the full structure and lyrics completed before it goes anywhere near the computer.

‍ ‍

6. What is your all-time favorite song?

‍ ‍

Can I say my least favourite time? Which is late in the evening or at night. I know that if I get an idea and don’t finish it, it’ll be gone. So I can’t go to bed till it’s done and that’s annoying.

‍ ‍

7. What is the best advice you have either given or received in terms of music?

‍ ‍

Get out of your own way. Try really hard to listen to yourself, and no one else. And that includes not listening to the part of you that’s thinking about what others’ might think.

‍ ‍

8. Proudest accomplishment?

‍ ‍

Finally releasing music I feel I can hold my head up to. I spent years feeling happy with the songs I was writing but it took finding the perfect producer in Tony White, before I started to hear them in a recorded form I was proud of.

‍ ‍

9. Just for fun! What’s been your most embarrassing moment so far?

‍ ‍

Playing a gig in a metal room with terrible acoustics and hearing myself in the reflected sound to the extent that I lost which version was the live me, and I got more and more out of time and out of tune and it felt like the song would never end.

‍ ‍

𝟭0. Tell us about your lowest and highest points in music so far.

‍ ‍

Getting a ‘This Is Frank Joshua’ editorial playlist on Spotify was special. As for lowest, it has to be those early gigs and songs where I knew things just weren’t very good and I couldn’t see how to make them better, but for some reason I was stupid enough to keep going.

‍ ‍

 

‍ ‍

https://nenesbutler-presents.blogspot.com/2024/02/frank-joshuas-on-this-night-melancholic.html
February 23, 2024

‍ ‍

Frank Joshua’s On This Night: A Melancholic Masterpiece!

‍ ‍

‘On This Night’ by Frank Joshua

‍ ‍

Frank Joshua recently presented his new single and had the pleasure of answering our questions. Whether it was a pleasure for him, I cannot say, but he answered them at least. ‘On This Night’ came out a few days ago and shows Mr Joshua in top form. I cannot judge whether it is his best song, but it is certainly among my personal top three by Frank Joshua. I should like to explain briefly why that is. 

‍ ‍

‘On This Night’ has this successful combination of classic pop and dream pop, songs that are performed by the great entertainers and create a lasting connection with the listener. Melancholic, he moves through the scenery at the beginning and gives room to despair. Towards the middle, he returns to his familiar terrain, a bit more pop, but also a bit more sadness. 

‍ ‍

The performance of Frank Joshua is too good to be described as perfect; elegant brilliance would probably be more appropriate. I press play again; I do not know how many times I have done so in the last few days, and this song still does not let me go, it carries the perfect sadness in it. ‘On This Night’ by Frank Joshua has captured everything it takes to be outstanding, and at the same time, it makes him a great entertainer who reached the Olympus on this night. 

‍ ‍

Somehow it is now my favourite song by Frank Joshua. But it would not be Frank if he could not top that.

‍ ‍

“On This Night”, your latest release, creates a superb dark-pop meets cinematic electro mood, and returns to finest electro pop in the second half. What inspired the track?

‍ ‍

It comes from one of the desperate moments in life, when you wonder what it's all about and why you're doing what you're doing. It's a moment that happened to me that I'm ultimately very grateful for but was quite painful at the time.

‍ ‍

The song is part of your forthcoming album “Turn To Your Soul”. What can we look forward to besides the best dream pop? Are there any hidden gems?

‍ ‍

Yes I hope so. The album is pretty wide ranging in genre, but it’s tied together with a lyrical and song based theme, that I’ll leave listeners to follow for themselves.

‍ ‍

Your catalogue is expanding and expanding. Will we ever have a chance to see you perform live on stage?

‍ ‍

For sure. I love live work. But right now, I want to build up enough interest to do it properly. So, the more people follow and like, the sooner we’ll be on the road!

‍ ‍

And if so, which special location would you choose for a gig, if anything were possible?

‍ ‍

The moon sounds like it won’t be that far away again in terms of possibility. But I really love an intimate venue where you can connect with people. That said, VR sounds like another really interesting possibility for connecting, in the not too distant future. Let’s see!

‍ ‍

With whom would you like to talk about music, regardless of whether they are alive or not?

‍ ‍

Stevie Wonder, Prince, David Bowie. In that order.

‍ ‍

Which song would you have liked to write?

‍ ‍

So many! But ‘Say a Little Prayer’ or ‘Life on Mars’ are hard not to be totally in awe of.

‍ ‍

And finally, what can we expect from Frank Joshua in the future?

‍ ‍

Album number 3 is out on 19th April and we’ll be pushing that hard. Then before you know it, we’ll be starting the work on album number 4! It’s pretty much all sketched out but still a bit of work to do before we start releasing singles. 

‍ ‍

In the meantime, there are a couple of tracks from the second album, that have been picked up by a particular radio station, that were never released on their own. So, look out for those too. And touring plans are going to have to start featuring in there somewhere too!

‍ ‍

 

‍ ‍

 

‍ ‍

https://yorkcalling.co.uk/2025/09/15/frank-joshua-talks-about-finding-balance-and-more-with-the-release-of-his-new-single/

‍ ‍

Frank Joshua talks about finding balance and more with the release of his new single

‍ ‍

We’ve frequently featured the music of Frank Joshua, but I must confess I don’t know much about him. With a new single out, it seemed the perfect time for a chat.

‍ ‍

“My journey into music has been anything but straightforward,” he confesses. “I started out as a songwriter many years ago, but life pulled me in all sorts of directions before I found my way back. Coming back to music later in life, under the name Frank Joshua, has given me a freedom and perspective I didn’t have before. I’m no longer trying to fit into a scene or meet anyone else’s expectations. It’s about exploring sound and storytelling in a way that feels honest to me and hopefully resonates with others too.”

‍ ‍

Joshua certainly goes his own way with his music and never fails to surprise us no matter how many of his releases pass through our pages. Our relationship goes back to 2022 when he popped up on Jane’s Monthly Favourites roundup. Early on, we were tempted to class him as a dream pop artist, but he’s since proved a little more undefinable.

‍ ‍

“I’ve always admired artists who can blend warmth and sophistication, people like Peter Gabriel, Bon Iver, or even early Talk Talk,” he says. “They all had a way of being musically ambitious without losing emotional clarity.”

‍ ‍

What I like about him is he’s a storyteller. You get a clear point of view with each of his tracks, and his latest single, Days Like These is no exception. Opening gently with acoustic guitar, there’s an instant warmness to it. Soulful vocals tell a tale of waking up and finding one’s moment.

‍ ‍

“The story is about noticing joy in the ordinary,” explains Joshua. “There isn’t a big drama at the heart of it; it’s more about the small moments that suddenly feel extraordinary. The song is a reminder to myself not to miss those things. It’s almost a diary entry in music form, a snapshot of contentment that I wanted to share before it slipped away.”

‍ ‍

It’s a rare moment of positivity in an industry that trades on heartache and desire. It’s just what we need right now, a smooth voice and bright beat telling us there’s still good out there if we look for it.

‍ ‍

“I wanted to capture that fleeting sense of balance, because it’s something we all crave but can never quite hold onto,” Joshua continues. “It came out of a very personal time of reflection, but I think everyone knows what it’s like to stumble across those kinds of days.”

‍ ‍

Frank Joshua is a prolific artist who is showing no signs of slowing down. There’s a new album, Fertile Mind, coming out early next year, a record that he says “grew out of the same soil as Days Like These.” Expect themes of resilience, reflection, and renewal.

‍ ‍

Before I let Joshua go, I had to ask him about his ‘faceless’ approach to making music and sharing on social media.

‍ ‍

“Part of it is shyness, to be honest, but it’s also about keeping the focus on the music,” he says. “In a world where image and personality often dominate, I wanted to see if I could carve out a little space where the songs came first. The mystery wasn’t calculated; it’s just me being more comfortable behind the music than in front of it.”

‍ ‍

Finally, he takes the time to thank those who have engaged with his music. “Making music can feel like shouting into the void, but when someone hears themselves in what you’ve made, that connection makes it all worthwhile,” he says. “That’s what keeps me writing.”

‍ ‍

https://www.pigeonopinion.com/post/pigeon-opinion-featuring-an-interview-with-frank-joshua

‍ ‍

Pigeon Opinion Featuring an Interview with Frank Joshua

‍ ‍

Recorded in the heart of London, "Turn To Your Soul (Reimagined)" captures the essence of a bygone era while infusing it with a fresh, modern twist. This track exudes raw emotion and authenticity, drawing listeners in with its heartfelt lyrics and infectious groove.

‍ ‍

Interview with Frank Joshua

‍ ‍

“What inspired you to reimagine “Turn to Your Soul” and give it a fresh, modern twist?”

‍ ‍

The song never really left me. We used to play it live as an encore years ago, and there was something about that version, the looseness, the shared energy in the room, that stayed with me. When I revisited it, I wasn’t trying to modernise it for the sake of it. I was trying to recapture some of that live feeling, but through the lens of where I am now. It felt like an opportunity to let the song grow up without losing its soul.

‍ ‍

“How did you approach blending retro soul and jazz-pop with contemporary elements on this version?”

‍ ‍

This track was produced by Charles Connolly, which made the process quite different from my usual work with Tony White. I played Charles a very old recording of the live version and that was the starting point. I was amazed I could still sing in the original key by the way! Charles built from that energy rather than from a demo constructed in a studio. The retro soul and jazz-pop elements come naturally from that approach - they’re embedded in the way the song breathes and moves. The contemporary feel comes from restraint rather than gloss, keeping it immediate, but grounded.

‍ ‍

“Can you describe the recording process in London and how the city influenced the sound of this track?”

‍ ‍

London has always shaped how I make music. There’s a kind of emotional understatement here, intensity held just below the surface, and that suits this song. Working from a live reference rather than a polished demo helped preserve that feeling. It allowed the performance to feel lived-in rather than over-designed, which is very much how London feels to me as a city.

‍ ‍

“Your music draws inspiration from artists like Elbow, The Blue Nile, and Bowie. How do these influences shape your songwriting?”

‍ ‍

They’ve all given me permission in different ways, if I can put it like that. Elbow showed me that intimacy can still feel expansive. The Blue Nile taught me the emotional power of space and patience. Bowie showed me that revisiting or reshaping your work isn’t revisionism, it’s curiosity. That mindset made it feel entirely natural to return to this song and ask what else it might want to say.

‍ ‍

“With 46 releases in under five years, how do you maintain creativity and originality across so much output?”

‍ ‍

It’s 48 now, with the new album and single “Passionate Eye”! But I don’t think of it as output, I think of it as attention. Each release reflects where I am emotionally or psychologically at that moment. Revisiting an older song like this wasn’t about repeating myself, it was about acknowledging that the same idea can mean something different over time. As long as I’m honest about where I’m coming from, the work tends to stay fresh.

‍ ‍

“What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take away from “Turn to Your Soul (Reimagined)”?”

‍ ‍

I hope it feels reassuring rather than instructive. It’s not telling anyone what to do, it’s more of an invitation to pause and listen inwardly. If it reconnects someone with a feeling they recognise, or gives them a moment of calm reflection, that feels like enough.

‍ ‍

“How does this collaboration compare with your work with Tony White?”

‍ ‍

Most of the new album “Fertile Mind” is produced by Tony White, who I’ve worked with for over twenty years. That’s a very deep, intuitive partnership at this point, we almost speak in shorthand. This track sits slightly apart because Charles Connolly approached it from a different angle, rooted in memory and performance rather than construction. I like that contrast. It reflects different chapters of my musical life coexisting on the same record.

‍ ‍

“Which elements of retro soul and jazz-pop do you feel are most important to preserve in a modern reinterpretation?”

‍ ‍

The human feel. Slight imperfections, dynamic shifts, the sense that someone is inhabiting the song rather than assembling it. Those qualities are what made those genres resonate in the first place, and they’re exactly what I wanted to protect when revisiting this track.

‍ ‍

“How has your songwriting changed since you first started releasing music, and what have been the biggest lessons?”

‍ ‍

I’ve learned to say less and trust more, both the song and the listener. Early on, I tried to explain myself too clearly. Now I’m more comfortable leaving space. Reworking this song really underlined that lesson. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is let the emotion speak without over-translation.

‍ ‍

“What can fans expect next from you in terms of style, themes, or upcoming releases?”

‍ ‍

Across 10 tracks the new album “Fertile Mind” brings together different strands of my musical life, long-term collaboration, newer explorations, reflection, and movement. The thread running through it all is curiosity rather than reinvention for its own sake. More music is coming, and it continues that idea of being emotionally open, thoughtful, and quietly searching.

‍ ‍

(•)> That's all, Folks! Check out Frank Joshua on the Pigeon Opinion Playlist