We Speak Music

Joshua Thew to launch new album with headline London show at The Lower Third on 23rd Sept!

Published

3 months ago

September 3, 2024

Don Reed

Get tickets now here: https://link.dice.fm/T50719622101

Joshua Thew is a London-based artist and songwriter. Born and raised in Hertfordshire, UK, Josh danced for the New York City Ballet for a decade, leaving his dance career after a serious back injury in 2016 to pursue music full-time. Thew began by singing jazz covers, while simultaneously developing his powerful, versatile original voice. Josh draws upon influences like Joni Mitchell, Donny Hathaway, and George Michael to create a singularly soulful sound: rich, vulnerable, and melancholic.

Through his music, Thew explores heartbreak and new love through sensual, atmospheric grooves and contemplative lyrics. His recent releases have received attention from the BBC, Wonderland Magazine, Metal Magazine, and editorial Spotify playlists. Thew also recently performed at BBC Introducing and at the prestigious London jazz club Ronnie Scott’s in summer 2023.

Since 2018, Joshua has partnered with producer Cale Hawkins (Raveena, Arthur Moon, Charli XCX, Amber Mark). The pair began their collaboration with the debut EP Quiet Words, which jump-started Josh’s following and received media attention from outlets like BBC Introducing and Flaunt Magazine.

Joshua is now ready to release his new EP ‘Endlessly’, out 15^th August, with a special London launch show. Cale Hawkins and witS & Smitty will be joining Joshua for the show all the way from New York, collaborating with him for his headline set and performing their own support sets. For lovers of deep introspective moods and vibrant alt-pop music respectively, the night promises to be a feast for the senses.

For a taster of the new EP and what to expect at The Lower Third, Thew’s sublime new single ‘Reveal’ is available now for streaming and download via all good outlets.

On the track, Thew explains, “Reveal feels like the calm after the storm. Almost that idea of reaching the top of a steep hill and having a moment to look down and appreciate the distance. It’s the piano ballad that sort of encapsulates the central theme of the EP. Working as an intimate conversation to the person and subject the song is about. I’m sort of saying ‘I see you facing your shit and your demons as I’m trying to do the same and I appreciate you’ The song is about being ready to choose vulnerability for someone. Giving up the defense, pulling down the walls and understanding the only way to deeper intimacy is vulnerability.”

We Speak Music

Jean-Loup Pinson ‘A Moment of Deathlessness’: A Visionary Exploration of Mortality and Desire

Published

38 mins ago

November 21, 2024

Philomena Marie

Jean-Loup Pinson’s, A Moment of Deathlessness, is a sonic revelation that brings the poetry of Emily Dickinson into the modern world with grace, complexity, and unflinching creativity. Known for his diverse work in film, television, and theatre, Pinson’s latest EP showcases his skill as a composer who is unafraid to take risks. With contributions from the revered Carice Singers and London’s hip-hop poets Armanious and Tanaka Fuego, Pinson weaves a soundscape that feels like a haunting meditation on life’s biggest questions.

The collaboration with The Carice Singers anchors the EP in a timeless aesthetic, their choral harmonies lending a ghostly beauty to Dickinson’s poetry. In these moments, the listener is transported to a world of introspective calm, where Dickinson’s words are given space to resonate. Pinson’s arrangements are delicate yet impactful, underscoring the nuances in Dickinson’s exploration of existential themes with layered instrumentation that leaves room for reflection.

Armanious and Tanaka Fuego bring a visceral immediacy to the project, drawing connections between Dickinson’s words and the lived experiences of today’s youth. Their performances are powerful yet understated, infusing the poetry with a streetwise perspective that broadens the EP’s appeal. Through their voices, themes like death and desire feel personal and urgent, transforming Dickinson’s nineteenth-century verses into something raw and universal. The juxtaposition of classical and modern elements invites listeners to think about how timeless these questions really are.

Pinson’s composition style is intricate and narrative-driven, each track unfolding like a story within itself. His film and theatre background shines here, particularly in his ability to balance tension and release. The electronic beats woven through the tracks bring a modern pulse to the project without overwhelming its emotional depth, creating a sound that is as moving as it is original.

A Moment of Deathlessness, is a standout in the contemporary music scene, proving Pinson’s remarkable versatility and vision as a composer. By bridging classical and urban sounds, he highlights the universality of Dickinson’s themes while offering something truly new. This EP, now available on streaming platforms, is a must-listen for anyone curious about the intersection of classical poetry and modern sound.