Josh Needs Fault Line Interview

Sydney based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Josh Needs has released his new single, "Fault Line," the lead track from his upcoming EP, out later this year.

Speaking on the track, Josh Needs said, "I was going through an emotional and frustrating time when I wrote Fault Line. There were nights where I would be alone, high at home, in the middle of lockdowns, cycling through the chord progression just on my guitar as a way to ease the sadness I was feeling in the aftermath of the relationship.

It was a rainy week and the weather plays hard on my emotional state, particularly when I'm writing, so the verse lyrics are a product of my environment and headspace. "Gray skies and lightning through clouds of worry." "It's hard to find a silver lining when you see me in black and white". Myself and this person came together quite quickly but we fell apart. The lyrics in the chorus are a sort of direct address on the things I couldn't say in person. "Love bomb me under your landslide" "Then cut back and run with my hands tied" "I'm caught between you and the Fault Line" "No word of warning, but I'm trying.

The lyrics changed so much throughout the course of the year. I tend to sit with what I write for long periods of time, switching out lines, looking for better rhymes, trying different phrasing, cutting the fat, improving on the story til it eventually clicks. Similarly with the music, I must've recorded 5 or more different versions of the demo. Trying it up a semitone, down a step, exploring the right tempo to play it at. Having the time to patiently let the song breath and write itself really helped me to process everything I was feeling. Whenever I'd feel a wave coming on I'd mess around with the song and see what comes out."

"Fault Line" was produced during lockdown in 2021 after Josh moved back home and lived above his dad's pharmacy and began reconnecting with his family and his coastal roots. Josh Needs takes influence from multiple artists and bands including Powderfinger, Ocean Alley, Death Cab, Black Keys, The War on Drugs and Dope Lemon, with these influences noticeably scattered throughout Josh's upcoming EP and in the EP's lead single, "Fault Line."

The track was mixed by Callum Howell (Ocean Alley, LeShiv, Tori Forsyth), at Forbes St Studios and mastered by Mike Tucci (The Kid LAROI, Jack River, DMA's) at his home studio in Hollywood, California. "Working with Cal and having him on board with the project was fantastic. He helped bring out the dreamy, dark and somber tones I wanted for the track," said Josh.

Josh Needs career highlights have already included collaborations with some of the greatest names in Australian music. Bringing his stage presence to such festivals as Australia's Woodford, Blues On Broadbeach, Airlie Beach Music Festival and an appearance at the Sydney Opera House. Josh has toured and shared the stage with the likes of Diesel, Russell Morris, Jon Stevens, Tommy & Phil Emmanuel, Kevin Borich and recently supported Ian Moss and The Animals (UK).

Interview with Josh Needs

Question: How would you describe your music?

Josh Needs: My music is heavily grounded by guitar riffs, while the lyrics and story are inspired from life experience intertwined with my love for poetry. My influences include rock, surf and grunge bands and singer/songwriters. Some tracks are for those who have experienced a hard time after breakup and need a voice for comfort, other tracks are on the more sensual side.


Question: Can you tell us about Fault Line?

Josh Needs: I was going through an emotional and frustrating time when I wrote Fault Line. There were nights where I would be alone, high at home, in the middle of lockdowns, cycling through the chord progression just on my guitar as a way to ease the sadness I was feeling in the aftermath of the relationship. It was a rainy week and the weather plays hard on my emotional state, particularly when I'm writing, so the verse lyrics are a product of my environment and headspace. "Grey skies and lightening through clouds of worry." "It's hard to find you in silver lining when you see me in black and white". The lyrics in the chorus are a sort of direct address on the things I couldn't say in person. "Love bomb me under your landslide" "Then cut back and run with my hands tied" "I'm caught between you and the Fault Line" "No word of warning, but I'm trying". The lyrics changed so much throughout the course of the year. I tend to sit with what I write for long periods of time switching out lines, looking for better rhymes, trying different phrasing, cutting the fat, improving on the story til it eventually clicks. Similarly with the music, I must've recorded 5 or more different versions of the demo. Trying it up a semitone, down a step, exploring the right tempo to play it at. Having the time to patiently let the song breath and write itself really helped me to process everything I was feeling. Whenever I'd feel a wave coming on I'd mess around with the song and see what comes out.

Question: Is there a particular message you hope listeners take from your music?

Josh Needs: The only thing I hope listeners take from my music is a connection to them and the music. I want to see themselves in the song and interpret the lyrics and story as their own life experiences. At least that's what I feel when I listen to music. It's marked by a person, a place, a feeling or experience and it stains the song forever until you have a new experience to link the song to. Everybody interprets the same song differently through the lens of their own life and what I can hope to achieve is provide a solace for someone going through a shitty time or connect in a way that makes them feel good and for them to know someone else is going through the same thing and they're not alone. I get that from music so I feel an obligation to give back in my own way.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Josh Needs: I love both. I've been performing live since I was 13 so it feels quite natural to be in front of a crowd these days. Although, I still get the pre-show nerves if it's a large scale gig with lots of people but I've learned to harness that feeling into excitement and get in the zone. Hopefully I get to experience those feelings of playing live more as the industry returns to a new normal. I've been recording myself since I was in high school and I've learned a lot about the processes involved. I love getting hands on if I'm in the studio, I'm always interested in the equipment, plugins, microphones and amps etc being used. I'm a nerd when it comes to the sonic elements of a song. My upcoming release was partly recorded in my apartment in Sydney, and I'm all about creating a vibe. I have mandala sheets hung up around with a salt lamp and hue lights. I close up the blinds, blocking out the natural light like I'm in the studio. Burn some incense and smoke a joint before doing some tracking whether its guitar, vocals or writing new lyrics. Total hippy. It's a flow state and hours can go by and I'm doing what I love.


Question: Can we expect any upcoming shows?

Josh Needs: Yes! You can expect some shows in the coming months as I launch the EP. Nothing to announce just yet but there will definitely be some opportunities to see me play.


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Josh Needs: I'm motivated by getting my emotions out in a therapeutic way. Often whatever I'm feeling gets turned into some kind of song whether it's a chord progression that lines up with the mood, one liners to use later, chorus' and verses, sometimes poetry as well that gets me out of my head and into the art. It's a two-way street in both sitting with and releasing emotions. I find listening to music and reading poetry has the same effect as creating it. When I create something that hooks me and I can't stop thinking about it I know I've got something worth exploring more and I keep chiselling away at the music, lyrics and melody which motivates me to finish the song. I put everything into the song and once it's finished I feel the weight lift off me a little more.


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?
Josh Needs: I listen to a lot of music in a day. It's always on. In the morning, in the car, when I'm cooking, taking a shower or just hanging out. There's a pretty broad spectrum of music/artists on at the moment. In my record collection there's Jeff Buckley, Dope Lemon, Bob Dylan, The War On Drugs, ACDC, Rage Against The Machine, Chris Stapleton, Black Keys, Taylor Swift, Kacey Musgraves, Khruangbin, Ocean Alley, Pink Floyd, Powderfinger. I listen to various artists for different reasons. Some just for the good vibes to hang out to, some for artistic inspiration for songwriting and live albums have a cool energy too and are great to learn from. I'm always looking for inspiration so sometimes when I'm at home I put on a record or a random Spotify playlist and just jam on the songs by ear on the guitar.


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Josh Needs: My inspiration to go into the music industry at an early age was Tommy & Phil Emmanuel. Both whom really nurtured and inspired me endlessly particularly in the early days of me picking up the guitar. I wanted to be just like them, so in love with their playing and entertaining all over the world. They would reply to my emails giving feedback on a video I would send, I would call on the phone ask for advice and they'd invite me to share the stage with them at any opportunity which is incredibly generous and humble of them. They let me dream of the possibility to do what they were doing because I loved playing the guitar and music as much as they did and they showed me so much support. I still learn from them today in little ways, remembering advice, guitar licks and their lessons are in their songs and live videos.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Josh Needs: I have so many! If I had to choose one I would love to collaborate with Adam Granduciel of The War On Drugs on everything from songwriting to producing. The lyrics are so deep, melodies are reminiscent of Bob Dylan and Springsteen, and the arrangements and sonic elements just tick so many boxes for me. I think it would be a really special experience to create and collaborate with him.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Josh Needs: The journey of self-discovery. The more I learn about myself the more I can channel into the art in a real and authentic way. I turn my life experiences into music and I can see that path in my releases. In my younger years I was writing about my experiences then and it's rather cute to look back and listen now (slightly cringing) and notice how far I've come and the progress I've achieved. I commiserate with myself when I'm transported back to those times, remembering what I was going through in life and it's quite healing too. Put's things into perspective as well to not be so hard on myself and trust the process.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Josh Needs: At the moment my typical day starts with a coffee and meditating outside on balcony, sometimes accompanied by a joint. Then whatever admin stuff that needs to be done, emails, phone calls I like to get that stuff done early so it's not hanging over my head as a deadline to cause stress later. When I have a free day without the admin, I pick up a guitar and just start playing. I might cycle through a song I'm writing or practice. I used to have a pretty comprehensive practice regime when I was younger, but after spending so much time with the guitar I just play whatever I think challenges me to keep things interesting and fresh. Other days, I would turn on the studio and record demos. Lately I've been setting up a vocal, amp, and acoustic mic for rehearsing with headphones for live gigs coming up and general woodshedding. I love putting on some reverb on the mics for space and the outside world just disappears when I'm in that flow. In the afternoon I'd go for walks or hike into the Lane Cove National Park for the nature, exercise and fresh air. In the evening my brother and I hang out and have deep conversations about life, watch movies, TV shows, sometimes even make up a hilarious improv.

Question: What's next, for you?

Josh Needs: I've already started writing the next one. However, the next couple of months will be focussed on releasing and promoting the EP with performance opportunities and press. After that I have plans to relocate to Nashville, TN for a couple years and see what that has in store for me.


Question: Can you share your socials? (links please)

Josh Needs: Instagram 
TikTok 


Interview by Gwen van Montfort