Josh Jensen: “My music taste is very random and inconsistent, but I feel like that matches my musical output as well”
Seattle-based singer/songwriter and guitarist Josh Jensen is an artist I’ve followed for a while now. His eclectic sound and personal lyricism mean you’re never too sure what he’ll deliver next, but it’s certain to tug at the heartstrings.
Recently, Josh released his third solo album, This is Where We Landed, and I decided it was time to get to know the man behind the music.
Grateful that he agreed to an interview, Josh and I chat about the themes behind his latest record, why he believes society needs to appreciate music more, and what he has next in the sonic pipeline. So, without further ado, please welcome the hugely talented Josh Jensen!
Hi Josh, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! It's truly appreciated! Now...before we get into the nitty gritty, can you tell us what first drew you to music and how you discovered your passion for it?
I was drawn to music at an early age. When I was around 6 years old, I remember my grandpa had a variety of instruments that my cousins and I would pick up and pretend to play and put on concerts for the family. But I really discovered my passion for music in high school, when I started to get involved more seriously with singing and playing guitar and had close friends that helped inspire my musical aspirations. I started writing music and performing around that time and realized that it really fueled and sustained me.
Your latest album, This Is Where We Landed, is your third solo record. What inspired the themes and sound of this album, and how does it differ from your earlier work?
This Is Where We Landed was written in 2024 and covers themes of love, loss, family, and wanderlust. My previous albums all contain songs that were written over many years, so I feel like This Is Where We Landed provides a better snapshot in time.
This record was such a treat to create because it involved serious studio time with Luke Rain, who not only helped with audio engineering but also assisted with the production of the songs, providing valuable input and creative direction to the music while we made it. The process was so fulfilling because Luke comes from a drum and bass perspective, and we are able to find a perfect middle ground with my work, which is more Americana and folk in nature.
Now...I know this is a toughie, and possibly like asking you to pick a favourite child, but which tune of yours means the most to you so far, and why?
Oh geez, loaded question! The song on the album that means the most to me is probably Lost In The Sound. I wrote this song for my three kids. It’s a declaration of my love for them and hopefully will inspire their futures, wherever they land.
What artists and bands have played a major role in your sound, and what’s been soundtracking your days recently?
For this record, artists and bands that played a major role in my sound included Lianne La Havas, The Band, Tingsek, MARO, Chris Cornell, John Prine, and certainly others along the way.
Music that has been soundtracking my days recently has varied from Hannah Wyatt, a fellow Washingtones Records artist and collaborator, local doom metal artist Sun Crow, to Mammoth WVH, Dream Theater, Fleet Foxes, Robert Glasper, and Punch Brothers. My music taste is very random and inconsistent, but I feel like that matches my musical output as well.
When you’re not creating music, what keeps you busy and happy? Walk us through a non-music day in the life of Josh Jensen.
Someone told me recently that I live four different lives: family life (amazing wife and three children); work life (environmental consulting work); music life; and some other life that nobody knows about. Although music permeates my life, I often have days that are encompassed by my other lives and need to focus on making sure that I balance those priorities first.
What, to you, is music’s role in society?
I think that music plays a major role in society. To loosely quote the artist Jean-Michael Basquiat, most of what we do decorates space, but music decorates time, which is limited and precious.
I think society as a whole needs to value music more than it currently does and come to a realization about how special it is. Music really helps us through the darkness and gives us light when it is needed most.
Alright Josh, it's desert island time! You're only allowed to take three albums with you. Which do you choose and what makes them essential for you?
This question is always difficult to answer, because as I have mentioned, my musical taste varies so vastly from day to day. If I were to choose three albums that would accompany me on a desert island, I would choose:
Canvas – ‘Canis Major’
John Coltrane – ‘A Love Supreme’
D’Gary & Jihe – ‘Horombe’
These three albums have been with me for a long time and I wouldn't mind keeping them around on this little island.
Thanks again for taking the time to chat with us Josh! It's been great getting to know you better! Before we sign off, what’s next on your creative radar?
I have a single being released in April with Hannah Wyatt called ‘Be Human’. This song was written to promote our April 30 show at Conor Byrne, a cooperative that was recently formed to support music and the arts.
I can't wait for ‘Be Human’ to be released because the message behind the song and the resulting music turned out so well for being written and recorded within a couple week timeframe. Beyond that, I am planning to continue playing around the region to promote my recent album and hope to release a folk album or EP next.
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