1. The First Song I Wrote
I wrote my first song when I was about 13 years old. I used to walk my dog and take my guitar with me and play whatever came to me. By the time I got back, I had half a song.
2. The Last Song I Released
I’ve just released a five-track EP titled Vector. I’m so proud of all the songs on the EP as they are a selection of a whole bunch of songs I’d written from 17 till now. I recorded Vector with producer Nathan Sheehy at A Sharp Studios in Sydney, which was a great experience. So much that I’m already working on getting the next one recorded there!
3. Songwriting Secrets
My process of songwriting really varies from song to song. Sometimes I might have a lyric idea that sparks it, and start from there. Other times it’s a guitar riff/hook that I come up with – I record it and loop it and get the pen ready and start writing. I would usually build a song by sections, although I have written songs going with the flow and doing both chords and lyrics at the same time. If I have an idea for lyrics or I hear a song that sparks inspiration, I’d put it into my phone for later reference if I ever get stuck or am looking for new ideas.
4. The Song That Makes Me Proud
From the EP, my two favourite songs would be ‘17’ and ‘All I Can Do’. Reason being is I love to play these songs live and I can do so much with them at a gig. They’re very different songs both musically and lyrically, however both have the same effect on me. ‘All I Can Do’ was one of the first songs I had written lyrics to, while ‘17’ was finished a couple days out from recording.
5. The Song That Changed My Life
I don’t have one particular song that has changed me but I do have quite a few songs and albums that have shaped me into the artist I am today. AC/DC was the first band I was into, then The Emmanuel Brothers (Tommy and Phil) came next, with Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed in the mix too. Now I’m influenced by a lot of different music from Hilltop Hoods to Ed Sheeran, John Mayer, INXS, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Maren Morris, Zac Brown Band, B.B. King, Eric Clapton and James Bay and heaps more. I’m always listening to this stuff! ■
[Josh Needs photo by Robert Russell]
Vector by Josh Needs is out now independently and Josh plays The Basement Monday April 17 and Dee Why Hotel on Saturday April 22.
