Joshua Idehen is many issues – a poet, workshop facilitator, journal editor, musician – however most significantly, he’s a father. Idehen attracts from a wealth of creative inspiration, evidenced by his many tendrils of artistic expression. Every artistic pursuit appears to complement one other, in flip creating his unparalleled genre-bending, jazz-infused sound.
Melding collectively lo-fi, soul, and his resonant phrases – “Maintain Up Your Chin ” is a feat of sheer musical fortitude. Cementing his place as a mainstay of the music business, critics and followers alike have revered the artist’s lyrical compassion and vibrant instrumentation. Unfold throughout six tracks, “Maintain Up Your Chin ” options collaborations from a few of music’s Most worthy gamers. Contributors, reminiscent of Ade Omotayo, toured with Amy Winehouse as considered one of her backing singers; sufficient mentioned.
“Maintain Up Your Chin” oscillates between genres. Idehen’s soulful hit “Don’t You Give Up On Me” has new life breathed into it, with two remixes providing up vastly totally different soundscapes – together with an Afro-Brazilian, carnival aptitude. Idehen’s wealthy repertoire of references are most on show with the observe “What We’re Doing Tonight”. Arpeggiated synths play off of a commanding storage rhythm, all of the whereas held collectively by Idehen’s charming storytelling.
We had absolutely the delight of choosing Idehen’s brains, to search out out all we will about such a singular determine. From bouts of melancholy, to what retains his chin up – Idehen tells all.
Head under to learn our eye-opening interview with Joshua Idehen…
Hey Joshua! What was the very first thing you probably did while you awoke at present?
My daughter has learnt the phrase “nostril” so she pokes me each morning – on the nostril. The very first thing I did was give her dagger eyes, however she simply laughed at me.
Congratulations on “Maintain Your Chin Up”! The place would you say we at the moment are within the Joshua Idehen journey?
Hopefully in the beginning! It’s taken me a very long time and a variety of tasks to grow to be the one who might make this challenge. I’m grateful I may be right here, and I’m wanting ahead to the subsequent steps.
In these early periods of constructing the challenge, what had been your predominant objectives?
Firstly, I wished to make music I might dance to – music that made me comfortable. After which I wished to spin all my grief into bops.
You mix lo-fi home, soul and poetry fantastically on the EP. Are you able to break down what the contents of your individual playlists have regarded like just lately?
Plenty of Amapiano, jazz, rating, yacht rock, 80s coroners, left discipline pop and dance music. Highlights embrace that mellow and steezy track: you recognize the one. “Waves” by Lazy Habits, all of Floating Factors and Busman’s Vacation.
What’s one factor that may shock followers in regards to the course of of constructing “Maintain Your Chin Up”?
I dunno if it’s shocking or apparent nevertheless it’s my first time having something to do with a choir.
You actually elevate optimism on the challenge, what drove you to jot down one thing so uplifting?
I went via a depressive state from 2017 to… Effectively, I’m managing it higher now. That was additionally a really artistic interval for me, so I bought the area to make a variety of very unhappy, angsty music. Come 2021, I had gotten most of it out of my system. Transferring ahead I wished to attempt rhyming in direction of the sunshine for a change.
You’re Sweden-based, nevertheless, are British-born Nigerian – how do you assume these totally different settings have influenced your artistry?
It’s truthfully simpler to be optimistic when the nation isn’t falling aside round you TBF. I like strolling, and using my bike after I’m pondering up lyrics. Transferring via nice structure and nature does make one see the nice on the market. Thoughts you, this was earlier than the exhausting proper wing win within the latest election, so the album would possibly come out grim, nonetheless.
You’ve already labored with some superb artists together with Jordan Stephens and Lazy Habits – in the event you might hyperlink up with anybody else sooner or later, who wouldn’t it be?
Bjork. 4Hero. Nicholas Britell. Khruangbin.
Lastly, what’s subsequent for Joshua Idehen?
Effectively, myself and my producer, Ludvig Parment, have simply completed the subsequent challenge – and we’re exhausting at work on the subsequent factor.
To take heed to Joshua Idehen’s new EP “Maintain Up Your Chin” head under…
