Josh Needs Smoke + Mirrors

JOSH NEEDSDROPS NEW SINGLE "SMOKE + MIRRORS" ALONGSIDE DEBUT EP "FAULT LINE" 

Rising singer-songwriter Josh Needs returns with yet another single from his debut EP, titled "Smoke + Mirrors", in addition to his new EP "Fault Line." 

On the back end of the release of "Silver Sheets," Needs gives us a sweet taste of what's to be expected on the rest of his fresh EP "Fault Line". "Smoke + Mirrors" outlines the deception of a person, and how one may be oblivious to the effect a breakup can have.

 

Whilst working on the track, Josh revealed "Smoke + Mirrors has a double meaning on the both the deception of a person and being high, catching myself in the mirror and noticing how much I was affected by the situation post breakup. It was one of those whisky nights scrolling on the phone for distraction and seeing people that reminded me of an ex and all the aftermath. Just the slightest thing would bring back memories and so I smoked up and played my guitar. I wrote, produced and part recorded the song living in lockdown above my dad's shop in South West Rocks. I wanted an alternative, psychedelic feel to the track with heavy verbed guitars that followed the story."

Speaking on the EP, Josh says "Fault Line EP was born out of trying to find purpose in lockdown following a breakup and a fractured wrist. I needed to pour myself into my music to give me something to work on and look forward to when everything in my life felt so fragile. I had songs which felt "recordable" that connected with me on a deeper level than anything I'd written or recorded before. So with studios being closed and touring non-existent I produced the EP by myself sending guides to Brody Simpson (Yorke, Hauskey) in Western Australia on drums and Rob Calder (Angus & Julia Stone, Passenger) in Nashville on bass. We recorded everything remotely working with time zone differences via zoom, email and audio movers. Once I had the rhythm section parts, I pieced everything together on my end overdubbing my guitars and keys, most of which had my right arm in a cast after a skateboarding accident."

Each track from the debut EP is enveloped in gorgeous guitar strums and echoing vocals as Josh pours his heart out for our listening pleasure. The first released single "Fault Line" projects the loneliness Josh felt having moved back to his hometown during the 2021 lockdown. In addition, the second single "Silver Sheets" focuses on a dark and grungy essence, with surf rock influence. Followed by "Operation," outlining explicit guilty pleasures, and the alluring thoughts after dark, expressive of the hidden urges Josh found himself in submerging waters with.

"Captain Lonely" was conceived post breakup, as a result of the hopeful and depressed oceanic voyage that Needs was experiencing at the time. Finally, "Yesterday's News" was written on tour in Darwin in May 2021, with a Bob Dylan-esque style of verse, reminiscent of Josh's past experiences of relationships.

In light of his EP release, Josh Needs will be also be doing an EP launch gig at The Great Club on the 18th August. Catch Josh Needs in Marrickville to celebrate his EP release!