The Songs Behind: Joshua Scarratt
Discover the songs that shaped the indie newcomer, hot off the release of his sophmore single 'Hold Me'
Photo Credit: Julius Thieroff
It was last autumn when Joshua Scarratt burst onto the indie scene as an artist with stellar debut single 'Can't Get You Out of My Mind'. Fast forwards 3 months later and Joshua is back with his second single 'Hold Me', a song for all the "single people out there those that are searching for connections in the wrong places". The song acts as yet another example of why Scarratt is becoming so highly regarded. Both releases so far will also feature on the heavily anticipated debut EP by Joshua Scarratt, 'Riding through the desert of my dreams', which is set to be release on May 16th.
This new EP is to be preceded by a live show 2 months earlier, when Joshua Scarratt takes over the Elephant's Head in Camden on March 13th, in what will be a real 'I was there' moment. Scarratt has been in the music scene for over a decade, spending the majority of his time as a promoter, so his live shows are destined to be next level.
I am lucky enought to be joined by Joshua Scarratt today amongst all this excitement, to hear about his new projects and the songs that shaped him as an artist.
2025 looks set to be a huge year, with a debut EP and headline show already announced. What can listeners expect from these?
"Thanks! I’m not sure what huge things are coming my way, but I hope they’re in the post. My EP, listeners can expect a trip through how it was and how it could still be. In some ways it’s 4 tracks covering a weekend, but also summarises a decade and a lifetime. It’s an exercise in rigorous honesty and vulnerability.
The live show is an opportunity to be whoever I want to be for half an hour. The stage is somewhere I feel great freedom and real control (real out of control) of the direction I can take things. Expect less of a character up there than you do down here."
New single 'Hold Me' was originally penned in 2014, before being revisited in 2023. How difficult was that period of introspection it took to make the song what it is today?
"Looking back to 2023 when I re-wrote and recorded ‘Hold Me’, I can safely say that was an easier time for me than it is now that the song is out. I was feeling very inspired, but right now and over the last few weeks I've felt very vulnerable and insecure. This is just me and my introspective mind, overthinking and self-obsession. It happened when my debut came out last year. I should say it than keep it in my head. This shall pass. Thanks for having me!"
How do you feel spending so long helping to promote artists has shaped your own journey?
"It’s taught me to be grateful for any opportunity which comes my way. Also, just be a nice and decent person. We all have the choice of how we show up each day and it’s much better to show up than being some prima donna. I’ve been watching footage of Bob Dylan interacting with the press recently (following seeing A Complete Unknown) and I’d love to find myself challenging the person on the other side of the table (computer screen), but I can’t help but see a lot of unnecessary aggression.
It’s a weird industry, but thankfully, I have been privileged and worked with mainly decent people."
Favourite Song to Play Live:
'Hold Me - Joshua Scarratt'
"I’ve only performed one live show, which was a preview of sorts. But from this it was ’Hold Me’. The track wasn’t going to be my second single, but after performing it live and the reception it received, the pivot felt right."
Song That Reminds You of Your Childhood:
'Break It Down (D-Generation X) - Jim Johnston & Charis Warren'
"A song by Jim Johnston & Chris Warren 'Break It Down (D-Generation X)"
First Album You Brought:
'Slipknot - Slipknot' & 'First Impressions Of Earth - The Strokes'
"I remember buying CD singles as a kid in the local Woolworths, then the first albums I was interacting with were ones I’d download from Limewire, burn to CD, print the artwork (front and back) and make my own homemade copies (a polite way of saying theft). I still have Slipknot’s self-titled in my parents’ attic. The earliest memory I still have in my head of buying an album is the trip to the big Sainsbury’s out of town with my Mum one evening and I remember seeing The Strokes ‘First Impressions Of Earth’ in a big cardboard display and explaining to my Mum I must have it."
Song That Made You Want to Be a Musician:
"There were certainly inspirational moments over the first few years I was learning the guitar - I grew up eating my cereal before going to school and flicking between MTV2, Kerrang! And Scuzz watching music videos, so artists like Nirvana, The Strokes and Slipknot were showing me something - but it wasn’t until I heard and saw the Arctic Monkeys I thought it wasn’t something I wanted and could do."
Song That Gets You Through Hard Times:
'Asleep - The Smiths' or 'Welcome To My Island - Caroline Polachek
"The Smiths ‘Asleep’ if you really want to swim in it. Caroline Polachek ‘Welcome To My Island’ to get out."
Song You'd Put On at a Party:
'Paris - Friendly Fires' or 'Party Girl - Michelle Gurevich'
"Friendly Fires ‘Paris’, or Michelle Gurevich ‘Party Girl’ if I wanted to put a downer on the vibe."
Favourite Song of all Time:
'The Old Man's Back Again - Scott Walker'
Song You are Most Proud Of:
"I’m currently writing it. The best is yet to come."
Photo Credit: Emily Hope
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