What inspired the name of the band? What are your influences and are they the same as when you started out?
I listen to a ton of music. Discovering music has always been an interest of mine. I did a stint reviewing local music for the Austin Chronicle in college, and spent many years as an open format DJ (still do from time to time!). So it’s hard for me to pinpoint influences, I do feel like the sort of music that feels authentic to write for me is song-driven, with some Americana, Pop, Psychedelic influence. I love Paul Simon, Tom Petty, Lucinda Williams, Bruce Springsteen, those sorts of classic songwriters and I think you can hear their influence sometimes in my songs.
How do you approach songwriting?
For me, melody always comes first. Sometimes this is when I’m sitting at the piano or with a guitar, and sometimes they hit me randomly while I’m driving or walking. I capture these on my phone when I can, and come revisit them later. For me, it takes a while to figure out what lyrics belong in the melody, when it clicks, it clicks, and sometimes a word or phrase informs the rest of the song. Some of my lyrics are autobiographical, and some are from stories I’ve read, or scenarios I’ve made up. I feel like I gravitate towards loss, grief, love songs, and traveling songs. Pretty universal stuff, but sometimes those universal experiences are the trickiest to write about in an authentic way.
How do you approach songwriting?
For me, melody always comes first. Sometimes this is when I’m sitting at the piano or with a guitar, and sometimes they hit me randomly while I’m driving or walking. I capture these on my phone when I can, and come revisit them later. For me, it takes a while to figure out what lyrics belong in the melody, when it clicks, it clicks, and sometimes a word or phrase informs the rest of the song. Some of my lyrics are autobiographical, and some are from stories I’ve read, or scenarios I’ve made up. I feel like I gravitate towards loss, grief, love songs, and traveling songs. Pretty universal stuff, but sometimes those universal experiences are the trickiest to write about in an authentic way.
Why do you write the sort of music that you do?
I think the stuff I put out under Josie Lockhart is the kind of music that feels authentic and natural for me to make. I make all sorts of music for different projects, film, tv, other artists etc., and I love to make pop music and dance music, but the songs that make it onto Josie Lockhart albums are the ones I identify the most with as a person.
Live?
I have a rotating cast of friends who I play with. Sometimes, the line-up determines the songs. I have a version of the set that’s just me and I play with samples, sometimes we play as a 5 piece with a steel guitar and a lead guitar. Sometimes it’s a trio. I think it’s cool to hear songs in different settings. If it were up to me, we’d be a 7 piece with strings and horns every time though. I love a full band sound.
Live?
I have a rotating cast of friends who I play with. Sometimes, the line-up determines the songs. I have a version of the set that’s just me and I play with samples, sometimes we play as a 5 piece with a steel guitar and a lead guitar. Sometimes it’s a trio. I think it’s cool to hear songs in different settings. If it were up to me, we’d be a 7 piece with strings and horns every time though. I love a full band sound.
What plans do you have for the future?
To keep writing and releasing music. I am always putting together the next album in my head and thinking about song ideas and titles. It takes me a few years to wrap one up, but I’m going to keep them coming.