Interview with ICMP songwriting alumnus Josh Vine

Things have been picking up at a pace for our songwriting alumnus Josh Vine since completing his studies with us.

Josh released his debut single ‘Lost in the City’ earlier in the year via AWAL/Kobalt, enjoyed support from BBC Introducing and Spotify’s new music playlists.

Citing the likes of The National or Villagers as inspirations, Josh’s music (including latest track ‘Tired’) attempts to unpick the challenges of modern day life  and more. We caught up with him to chart his musical journey to date... 

How did you get into music?

I was always into music because of my dad who was massively into music and played me a lot of records when I was growing up. Artists like Chris Isaac, David. Bowie, The Jam, and an awesome band called Kitchens of Distinction - so good but so unknown! But the moment that I started to write songs was after I bought my dad Paul Weller's album '22dreams'. That record was the record that inspirec me to learn guitar after I listened to it with my dad and asked him to show me a couple of chords from the album. 

Who are your songwriting heroes?

My songwriting heroes are artists like Thom Yorke , Paul Weller, Harry Chapin and more recently people like the national, Connor from villagers, loads man. 

How was your time at ICMP?

It certainly helped me to improve and become inspired. The amount of playing and writing I did because of the course and the guidance it gave certainly added a huge deal to my songwriting and I wouldn’t be writing what I am now without it.  

‘Tired’ is your latest single: what’s the song about?

‘Tired’ is about struggling to be content with just being, rather than pushing yourself to the absolute maximum for everything and trying to make a difference with everything you do. Even though I think it’s important to try to make/do/say something that has meaning to it in your life, it doesn’t have to be like that all the time. 

Where do you look for musical inspiration?

I find inspiration mostly in either listening to artists I love and hearing them release something or in atmospheres of places (trying not to sound too Cringe) 

What is the best piece of musical advice you’ve received?

Just keep producing quality and you will get to where you want to be eventually. It just might take a little longer than you thought. Also, always be good to people because it pays to be the nice guy (eventually)

What will you be doing next with your music?

I’ll be releasing my next single around October this year and hopefully should be going back in the studio to get down a couple more tracks before the new year is out. 

Visit facebook.com/JoshVineMusic for more.