INTERVIEW: Jolé

INTERVIEW:

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Jolé

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IT has been great learning more about Jolé...

and his incredible world. He has been discussing his latest single, Seldom Seen, and revealing its inspiration. I was eager to learn when music arrived in his life and whether there are particular records that have informed him and inspired what he does – he recommends some approaching artists to follow.

I ask whether there are tour dates and, if he could support anyone on the road, who that would be; whether he has a favourite memory from his career so far and how he chills away from music – he chooses a great, if underappreciated, song to end the interview with.

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Hi, Jolé. How are you? How has your week been?

Hey! I’m good, thanks. My week has been great. It snowed, so that was fun!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

Sure. My name is Josh and I go by ‘Jolé’, which was a nickname at school…I write lo-fi- Pop with Folky elements.

Seldom Seen is your new track. Is there a story behind it?

I wrote this song at a time when I was trying to hold down about four jobs and do music. It’s a song about trying to escape the troubles of everyday life and when you just don’t want to be seen. Cheerful!

Are you planning on more material for later in the year?

Yes. Definitely. I believe this year will be a busy one!

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2018 has ended and I wonder how you view the year that has just gone. Do you think you grew as an artist throughout?

2018 was a really great year for me. Although I didn’t release any music as Jolé, I was constantly writing and also working behind the scenes to build up the team that I work with now. I am super-lucky to have had the opportunities given to me in 2018 which set me up for 2019. I definitely grew as a songwriter and artist; I have been learning a lot! 

You have spent a few years with various bands but are now solo. What do you think you have learned from the time in those bands?

How to cope with touring...

I haven’t done it for a while but we were pretty much constantly on the road for five years. It was great fun with my best mates but it definitely takes its toll! I feel a lot more prepared for it now.

Give me a sense of the music you grew up around and when it came into your life…

My first experience of music would have to be Van Morrison. Apparently my mum and dad used to play his music when my mum was pregnant with me. They would play him and The Beach Boys when I was quite young. When I was a bit older, I remember going through their record collection and really taking a liking to Abracadabra by Steve Miller Band. I used to listen to the seven-inch on-repeat. The first album that really grabbed me was Parachutes by Coldplay. I remember hearing it for the first time at my cousin’s house and falling in love with it.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?

I went to Budapest over summer to play a couple of shows which was pretty ace!

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

Coldplay - Parachutes

(For the reasons I mentioned earlier).

Sufjan Stevens – Carrie & Lowell

This is one of the most heartbreaking, beautiful albums I have heard. I saw it live and it was the best.

The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds

I love the sounds on this album and my first show I went to was Brian Wilson playing it in full!

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

I would love to support Beck! My rider would be just be stacks and stacks of flapjack and sweet (I have a sweet tooth), Mezcal and fresh lime.

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What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Be nice to everyone. It’s a small world.

Do you think there are going to any tour dates coming up?

Yes. Definitely. Should be releasing some soon!

Is the stage somewhere you love to be?

90% of the time, yes!

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 IN THIS PHOTO: Matt DiMona

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Really enjoying a guy called Matt DiMona at the moment. Harvey Causon is wicked; King Princess is awesome too!

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 IN THIS PHOTO: Harvey Causon

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

Not really! I love my job so it’s hard to switch off but I love to listen to podcasts and read too. That’s probably how I tend to relax.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Let’s say….Ed Prosek – I Was Wrong. I’ve been listening to that a lot recently

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Follow Jolé

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Sam Liddicott