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 inventive expression. Every inventive 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 stated.
“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 monitor “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 seek out out all we will about such a singular determine. From bouts of despair, to what retains his chin up – Idehen tells all.
Head beneath to learn our eye-opening interview with Joshua Idehen…
Hey Joshua! What was the very first thing you probably did whenever you wakened right now?
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 are actually within the Joshua Idehen journey?
Hopefully initially! It’s taken me a very long time and a whole lot of tasks to turn out to be the one that might make this undertaking. I’m grateful I will be right here, and I’m wanting ahead to the following steps.
In these early periods of constructing the undertaking, what have been your foremost objectives?
Firstly, I wished to make music I might dance to – music that made me glad. After which I wished to spin all my grief into bops.
You mix lo-fi home, soul and poetry superbly on the EP. Are you able to break down what the contents of your personal playlists have regarded like lately?
A number of Amapiano, jazz, rating, yacht rock, 80s coroners, left discipline pop and dance music. Highlights embody that mellow and steezy music: you realize 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 undertaking, what drove you to jot down one thing so uplifting?
I went by means of a depressive state from 2017 to… Nicely, I’m managing it higher now. That was additionally a really inventive interval for me, so I acquired the area to make a whole lot of very unhappy, angsty music. Come 2021, I had gotten most of it out of my system. Shifting ahead I wished to strive rhyming in the direction of the sunshine for a change.
You’re Sweden-based, nonetheless, are British-born Nigerian – how do you assume these totally different settings have influenced your artistry?
It’s truthfully simpler to be constructive when the nation isn’t falling aside round you TBF. I like strolling, and using my bike after I’m considering up lyrics. Shifting by means of nice structure and nature does make one see the nice on the market. Thoughts you, this was earlier than the arduous proper wing win within the latest election, so the album may come out grim, nonetheless.
You’ve already labored with some superb artists together with Jordan Stephens and Lazy Habits – for those who might hyperlink up with anybody else sooner or later, who would it not be?
Bjork. 4Hero. Nicholas Britell. Khruangbin.
Lastly, what’s subsequent for Joshua Idehen?
Nicely, myself and my producer, Ludvig Parment, have simply completed the following undertaking – and we’re arduous at work on the following factor.
To take heed to Joshua Idehen’s new EP “Maintain Up Your Chin” head beneath…
