A jack-of-all-trades, Joshua Benjamin is a seasoned singer-songwriter, instrumentalist and performer whose unique blend of vintage blue-eyed soul mixed with forward-thinking production allowed him to break through the 100K-stream milestone last year.
Stemming from a past situation, his new down-tempo Here’s To You demonstrates both sensuality and sensitivity through his magnetic vocals, softly underlined by an atmospheric, electronic-textured soundscape that instantly elevates the listener’s spirit and opens the door to new possibilities. “
This song speaks to all of the times I was left in the dark, and for those who are still left in the dark, he reveals. I went through this in a relationship, in terms of communication and emotionally. Sometimes, when there’s a breakdown in connection between two people, I feel that it allows space for darkness and negativity to enter.
This track feels like an ode to these times and a release of its hold on me, knowing that it’s been something I’ve learnt from and something that has allowed me to grow and move forward in my life. For anyone in a similar situation, make a decision, take the leap and grow in whichever direction you wish to take.”
What is your creative process like?
I normally start my creative process with keys or drums, those are my 2 favourite elements in every track and I feel like if you have those two things right, the rest of the track can come together really quickly and easily for me.
I then like to hum and riff out random melodies and sketch out vocal lines without proper lyrics if necessary. I just like to go with what feels right in that moment and if it relates to a particular concept that I’m going for in a track.
Where do you usually get inspiration for your music from?
I love, love, love cinema and soundtracks: Hans Zimmer and Thomas Newman are just some of my favourite composers that for me can bring a 6/10 film to a 9/10! I love soundscapes and diegetic music and the sense that sound can create illusions as well as raise and alleviate tension.
Tell us more about ‘Here’s To You’ and how it came about
It came about when me and 2 of my best friends and producers, HaychKai and Manuel Garay, went to a cabin in the mountains, giving ourselves the space and time to focus completely on the music and have some honest conversations about where we were emotionally and on our journeys.
The music came first and it felt nostalgic to me. It gave me a sense of looking back to old relationships and feeling a sense of peace about the growth that I had gained since then. So it’s almost a nod to the past and in some ways an appreciation as well.
Who inspires your style and aesthetics?
Many people! I love David Gandy’s style and flair with suits and sharp dressing, I love the timeless aesthetic that Frank Sinatra and a lot of 60’s + 70’s artists carried. I worked at Suitsupply for 3 years and that has inspired me to become a lot more knowledgeable about fabrics and dressing for occasions. I also love to feel comfortable in whatever I wear and so that brings a slightly more relaxed and urban feel to my wardrobe.
What’s the future looking like for you?
I love thinking about my future as I can’t wait to spread more music and more light into people’s lives with feel good music and also music that illuminates the darker side of people’s emotions that need to be talked about and communicated. I will never stop making music and the only way from here is up!
