To listen to more of Josh’s music, you can check out his page.
He was gracious enough to give us a little bit of time & answer a few questions for us.
If you had to describe your artistry in one word, what would it be?
How about three words hyphenated into one??
Work-in-progress
How did you develop a love for your art?
Both of my parents are very musical. My dad plays the guitar, my mom plays the piano, and they both sing. They started me in piano lessons in 4th grade, and while I didn't enjoy practicing every day, I'm so thankful I learned to play. Learning the piano was what got me into playing guitar. As I learned more about these instruments, I was intrigued with how they could be used to write songs. Jon Foreman of Switchfoot is who really turned me on to writing. His lyrics and melodies are captivating, and it has always been a goal of mine to write songs as moving as his.
What inspires you?
I am always inspired by being outdoors. I love hiking camping, fishing, skiing, and anything else that takes me away from the city. Don't get me wrong, I love Nashville. It's just that when I'm out in God's creation, I feel a closeness to the One who created all of that beauty. God's artistry is unparalleled, and being in the middle of it makes me want to create.
Describe your 'creative process'.
I keep song ideas in a journal and on my computer throughout the year, and when I am able to I sort through them and pick my favorite ones. I'll play my guitar or piano and sing melodies until something sticks. Once I've got a good melody, I find a lyric idea that fits and start writing. I'm a pretty slow writer. Sometimes it takes me days or weeks to finish a particular song. It's a huge blessing when I'm able to finish in one sitting.
What is a common mistake you notice during the creative process?
Over analyzing. I've found that if you critique every line as it comes out, sometimes the song never gets finished. It's definitely a good thing to go back and revise, but revision is best once the song is finished. If you start editing the song while writing it, you can miss out on some amazing out-of-the-box ideas.
What is one of the most important lessons you learned as a songwriter?
Find an original way to say something. There are no new ideas, but there ARE new ways to express those ideas. Songs are the most moving and interesting when they are written from a fresh perspective.
What is God teaching you these days?
Lately He has been teaching me to rely on Him rather than my art. I've been trying to write the last couple of songs for my upcoming release, and I've been having quite a bit of trouble. He's been teaching me that even if the song doesn't come out, my main focus needs to be on Him. A great song will never satisfy my soul. Only our great God can do that.
How would you encourage artists who serve the church?
As artists, we have to realize that we are called to glorify God with our art. We also have to remember that our art is the means, not the End. It's tempting to want to glorify ourselves, to pat one another on the back because something was well written, well sung, well crafted. As CS Lewis puts it in "The Great Divorce," "Every poet and musician and artist, but for Grace, is drawn away from the love of the thing he tells, to love of the telling till, down in Deep Hell, they cannot be interested in God at all but only in what they say about Him."
What are you looking forward to at Wonder?
I'm looking forward to meeting people before and after I share my songs. One of my favorite things about traveling and playing music is that I get to meet so many great folks and hear their stories. It's encouraging to see how God is working through His church. Please come say hello before or after I play. I'd love to meet you.