0800 ANGELS is the second single to be released off Joshua Zero’s upcoming EP. The track drops you in a cold landscape with fuzzed out sludge guitars and a delicate vocal, Zero then walks you through an angelic chorus reminiscent of a 00s boy-band group. This ‘tongue in cheek’ approach to songwriting has become a signature for Zero as they prepare to release 0800 ANGELS following the success of their latest UK tour. The release details a lost soul’s call for answers, written through the hazy memory of late-night romance and forgotten perfume.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey Joshua Zero, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What have you been up to over the past year in this big old mess?
Hiya! Over this big old mess I’ve been mostly writing and touring. I’ve released a few singles as well which has been great, now that they’ve finally been released into the real world!
Describe your favorite and least favorite part about being a musician.
Well, the best part about being a musician, in my opinion, is the process. I love every moment of the creation of music, from the conception to the recording and touring, these are the things that make it worth while! My least favourite part of being a musician is finding a place in a very unstable industry. Artists often get the short end of the stick when it comes to any kind of business so its something I’m working on. That being said, I love what I do and have no plans to stop.
Your latest song is '0800 ANGELS'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
So, 0800 Angels is quite an old song of mine! I’ve been touring it for about 2 years (not including the pandemic) and its holds quite a dear place in my heart. Its’ quite tender, and always speaks to me whenever I play it live. We recorded in with Bob Cooper in Castleford and it was a gorgeous experience. My favourite thing about it is that it started in my bedroom and now its all grown up and out in the world haha.
Have you ever participated in any music competitions? Did you win any prizes?
I haven’t really dabbled in any music competitions, I’d love to take part in them but I never see that many around.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
Not really haha, music is my world and it’s the world I choose to live in. I do love all things art though. In my spare time I paint a lot and I write a lot of poetry which I think helps the creative process since you have more outlets to express yourself. And I love books and films. I suppose they’re hobbies as well :)
Is there another musician you've mentored or trained? Describe what you've done to help them.
There isn’t really a musician who I’ve trained or mentored but I help other artists with songwriting on the side for some cash. I love to collaborate, I’m currently working on a synth project with a friend in Switzerland which is very exciting and I have a few singles coming out with other bands. Maybe I’ll become a mentor when I’m older and live in the mountains like the guy from Kill Bill.
Can you write what was your best performance in your career? How do you remember it?
Hmmmm. The best performance in my career is a difficult one. I have fond memories of some of the wilder ones. Back in October 2021, I curated a show which featured a load of drag performances in between each bands set. That was fab. I remember playing and just fully transcending into the experience around me. Hopefully 2022 bring some more memories like that.
When you are working through problems in your work, who do you talk to?
I usually talk to my friends. A lot of them are musicians and creatives like myself so they understand the trials and tribulations of such a pursuit. In more extreme circumstances I talk to God and when it gets even worse I talk to my mother hahaha.
What's the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?
I would put it down to three things. Once an old gay man said to me ‘never turn down free money’ which I’ve always liked. Iggy Pop also once said in an interview ‘Its cool to be punk, but it’s not cool to be a punk’ (that isn’t word for word but you get the gist). And finally, something that I tell myself a lot, is that ‘good things take a long time’. These keep me motivated in what I do. Becoming an artist is a long and hard road and you must be extremely vigilant when it comes to your art. I hold a lot of value to the stuff that I make cause I deem it to be good and I think that’s the key to making it.
What are your plans for next year? Do you have any productions ready to be released?
Next year will be great! I have a lot of music in the pipeline as well as a lot of touring so I’m massively looking forward to world domination! I’m excited to see what the year has to hold :)