Josh Sallee – Hush Hush

By starrymag | December 10, 2016

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) Lyrical, fast-paced, emotional, thought provoking and refreshing. I’m not scared to sing or try things with my voice and always challenge myself to find new flows and ways of saying things.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Lauryn Hill, Incubus, Common Market and Outkast.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Pressure.”

A) I was at a really low point in my life, a lot of negative things we’re happening while I’m trying to make this album how I want. It kept me up every night. It made me lazy during the day. It was just the huge pressure of life, success and goals blended with reality.

 

Q) How did you come to collaborate on it with Cassie Jo Craig?

A) I’ve known Cassie for a long time and we’ve always remained friends. She recently just started making music seriously and is a contestant on NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior.” I am writing and producing her first project and she was even a Division I pole vaulter at Wichita State in Kansas.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans will connect to?

A) I think giving people a glimpse into the problems I deal with outside of music is something that people are drawn to. Knowing that the person they are listening to is going through the same sort of struggle always strengthens the connections between a listener and a song. You can hear the anxiousness in my voice, the doubt and the pain and I think people really connect to that sort of rawness.

 

Q) How does the video for the song play into the message of it?

A) The woods represent the depression I was dealing with when I made the record and the constant search for something, the void I felt, the nights when I swore I was doomed – running aimlessly through life much like the scenes in the woods. When I come across Cassie amongst the trees, holding a candle, she represents finding a light in the middle of nowhere in the least expected place. Sometimes that light may be intimidating at first: change, new beginnings, etc., those things are extremely scary. As I approach and she blows out the candle, the idea was to leave the viewer with their own open ended interpretation of what happened while also representing the fact that new light can go just as quickly as it arrives.

 

Thank you to Logan Meis for always, always, always bringing my random visions to life. Thank you to Cassie Jo Craig. You are a star; I truly believe that. Thank you to Blev for providing such strong and emotional production that brought out such a powerful wave of creative emotions in me.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) It really just varies based on feel. I try to create everything by feel. If something feels right, whether a beat or a lyric, I will usually build off that. I am all about writing and re-writing. Some of my best records came after I revisited a record once or twice before finally choosing the direction.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) I’m very hands on with pretty much every aspect of my career and music. My best friend growing up ended up being an amazing producer so many times we will sit and talk about a beat and the direction and build it there. I recently started producing my own records on the side, which is a new process I enjoy and hope to get to a point where I am producing at a high level.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Josh Sallee performance?

A) Energy. Lots of energy! I don’t rap over my vocals. I take pride in being a very polished performer.

 

Q) What songs off your LP Hush Hush do you most enjoy performing live?

A) “Awayo,” “Answers” and “Pressure.”

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) Chance the Rapper [laughs]

 

Q) What can fans do to help promote your music?

A) Share it, spread it, tweet it, tell your friends and play it at parties!

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) Everyone is so connected now. You can reach out with a click of a button. I always try to keep up with people online so that when I’m in their city we can continue to build the relationship.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thank you so much. It really isn’t possible without those people. So, just thank you a billion times.