Up-and-coming North Shields artist Jøsh scooped by Radio 1

Written by on 16th December 2024

Breaking into the music industry is a tough business, but for one young artist the hard work is beginning to pay off.

At only 23 years old, North Shields-based DJ and music producer, Jøsh, has forged his own path into the realms of techno, house, and EDM, recently releasing his debut EP ‘Breathe’ this December.

With Spotify statistics of more than 31,000 listeners across 87 countries this year alone, it’s fair to say that Jøsh is making waves across the music scene, and some big names in the business have been taking note.

In October, numbers from Jøsh’s EP, ‘Breathe’, featured twice across the BBC, with it’s title track played out on Radio 1 Dance’s BBC Introducing show, and ‘ABYSS’ on BBC Radio Newcastle.

As I sit down for a chat with Jøsh he beams while we resolve the technical turmoils of Zoom and he strikes me as a very grounded individual, despite his recent success. It’s clear he is still surprised by the media attention, but is taking it all in his stride with gratitude.

Getting straight to it, I ask Jøsh about being picked up by the BBC.

“That was unexpected!”, he tells me.

“I’ve always sent stuff in, because you can, and you always get the email saying they’ve listened to it, and I got the email saying that, and was like, ‘ah, OK, we know how this goes.’

“But I was just in Amsterdam sat in a restaurant with my family and I got an email. I’ve always assumed that emails like that are just spam, but I checked and was like, ‘oh my God, Radio 1!

“Funnily enough, they played the song while I was at a gig in Amsterdam, so I’ve got a video somewhere where I’m holding the phone with the radio on, and in the background we’re in an arena with Martin Garrix on.

“It was wild, but listening back to that and hearing what they had to say was like, ‘wow, this is serious’. I’ll not forget it, definitely not.”

It’s certainly not been an easy ride, though. Jøsh’s sounds are largely inspired by Dutch artists such as Martin Garrix, Seth Hills, Tiёsto and Skrillex, and while there is a loyal fanbase devoted to this kind of music, he also explains that platforms to share it in the UK are limited.

“I think with the UK it’s really hard to get my sort of sound in clubs – it’s very, like, house, techno, disco, bass orientated. Mine’s more like a sort of Dutch sound,” he says.

“I really don’t fit in the box – when I have done gigs in Newcastle, I play more house and disco, but it’s quite fun being the UK EDM kid!”

Jøsh released his debut EP ‘Breathe’ in December this year (Courtesy of OZØNE RCRDS).

Inspired by his parents’ love of trance and EDM, Jøsh has been producing his own singles since his college years, and this year set up independent label, OZØNE RCRDS.

“If I’m honest, I’ve had to do a lot of it on my own. I’ve had to set up my own label, because I was sending songs out and they were saying, ‘this is too different’, or ‘you’re not big enough’.

“It got to the point where I’d been trying for two or three years, and I decided I was just going to do it myself.

“It was a lot of work, but I feel like you’ve got to do that now.”

Not only does Jøsh produce his music alone, but he also produces all his visuals and promotional material independently.

“The photoshop stuff has just taken years [to learn], from the days of Soundcloud and just making my own releases, I’ve always done everything on my own. I’ve always got an idea, but now, especially with the graphic design stuff, I can finally get the idea out.”

In May, Jøsh also organised his first alternative house club night, ‘MANTRA’, at The Grove in Byker, an event which showcased the musical talent and passions of DJs across the region and which he hopes to repeat.

Jøsh plays ‘MANTRA’ at The Grove in Byker, May 2024 (Courtesy of OZØNE RCRDS).

As a young artist breaking into the music industry, I wonder how challenging it is to balance his dedication to musical projects with the demands of family, friends, and work?

“I’ve got a little residency in Jesmond where I play open format DJ stuff, and then I’ve got a part-time job, but they’re really supportive if I need the time off.

“Everyone’s really supportive, my family, my girlfriend, my mates. If I have a gig they’ll come, if I put out a song, they’ll share it for me.

“I’m lucky that everyone will push me to do it, so I’m very, very lucky with that, I have to admit.”

So, what’s the next step for this rising artist?

“I’d really like to work with some local vocalists and flesh out a proper song and write the lyrics.

He adds: “I’d love to play a show and design lighting to go with it and have a basic storyline. You go to these gigs, especially the EDM ones, the big production stuff and I think it’s so cool that you can take people on a journey with songs and the visuals matching it.”

“But we’ve got a bit of a trek yet”, he laughs.

Jøsh’s debut EP, ‘Breathe’ is out now on all music platforms. Listen here.


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