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Joshua Spier.
 Every once in a while a singer/songwriter crops up with not only heart, charm and a genuine personality to boot, but the songs to back them up. Such a performer is local artist Josh Spier, who's all set release his debut LP, 'Suspended Between Radiance And Darkness'.
The general punter might not of heard of Spier. "People may know me from a funk band called Superfit from three or four years ago, and I was in the Northern Lights about 18 months back. I put out an independent release in 2002 and then went into hibernation, then worked with Edisonmusic, Juno, Charles Starling, the Trims," he explains. "A lot of people would have no idea who I am, which is exciting because it does feel like I'm starting afresh. I think it's always hard whatever you're doing creatively not to reference what you've done in the past. I feel like I was able to snap out of what I'd done in the past and use that as a platform - hopefully that comes through to people who've never heard me before."
The recording process of the LP was a long one. "For someone like me, who's quite impulsive, it was good to have those gaps in between the different stages. It's important to have that space so you can reflect on the last stage of what was recorded and think through and reflect, 'What direction does it need to take now?' whereas if I was doing the whole thing in a month, it's like rolling a dice," he muses, considering the year he spent recording. "The process was an enjoyable one because I got to play the piano tracks on Ben Folds' piano at Broadcast Studio - apparently he's left a trail of pianos in his wake around the world and the guys there said, 'Oh yeah, he bought it and played a song here a while ago and we're not sure if he's coming to collect it, so you can use it!' We did all the bare tracks at Broadcast and all the rest of the tracking at Bonsai Studios. Greg [Truman] did a lot of the recording, mixing and mastering so for me it's a wonderful process and it's about who you're doing it with largely. Greg co-produced with me and he's a joy to work with."
Did the original ideas work towards the final result? "It took a different direction in the end with the guitars, that wasn't my original idea, it was going to be piano-based with some crazy trumpets and strings and it ended being what you hear now. I am proud of it and you just have to let go, you can keep working on it and keep changing things but I'm happy with how it might touch people."
As to what has influenced his muse, "I think I embrace all influences whether that be music or life - the Adelaide Hills where I grew up would be one. I listen to an eclectic range of music. My thing is, 'Do I like it?' rather than, 'Is this on the Top Ten or is this unknown?' I don't think influence is something you can strategically try and choose, 'Well that would be my influence 'cause that's cool'. Classical music; I listen to soundtrack composers like Ryuichi Sakamoto who's a piano-based composer, Nitin Sawhney, a UK/Indian producer of a real cool fusion of styles and then Coldplay, Kings Of Convenience, Magnet, Silverchair's 'Diorama', Cliff Richard who I was listening to when I was growing up which is bizarre but influence happens from such an early age right up until now.
"I think a bit of a motif throughout the album is basically just me dealing with fears and trying to work out a way to get free. I know it's a cliche, but confronting my fear of death is a thing for me. This year has been tough, it's the story of humanity - people you love die and you're confronted with your own frailty and mortality, searching for hope."
And the future? "My ultimate goal isn't to get signed or to be famous but I'm open to anything if it's the right path to take in terms of just sharing my music. Success can be defined in different ways. I might be able to play to thousands of people and sell lots of records but I want to do more with my music than just give people a good time."
Lauren Boxhall
 | Joshua Spier launches 'Suspended Between Radiance And Darkness' at Garage Bar on Fri 21 Oct with Special Patrol (acoustic) and Newtonheath. |
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