Interview: Josh Groban talks new album, isolation, influences & Björk
- by Andrew Braithwaite
- in Interviews
Josh Groban is a multi-platinum selling singer, songwriter, musician and actor from California, who's known for his distinctive baritone voice. He has sold over 25 million records worldwide, charting as the best selling USA artist back in 2007. In addition to a successful music career, he has also appeared in a substantial amount of popular movies and TV shows.
Josh is now set to release his brand new album Harmony on November 20th, so I caught up with him to ask some further questions.
Q) Your upcoming album Harmony features many timeless songs that you have covered. What made you choose those particular songs, are they personal favorites?
We created this album in 2 parts, half while I was on tour for the previous record and half after we all went into lockdown for many months. A lot can change during that time even when you already think you have a vision or a “theme”. Songs that I had previously recorded suddenly took on new meaning. And songs that I hadn’t recorded yet, or decided to record, became unexpectedly urgent and powerful to sing.
Q) I believe you also have two originals on the album, what was the influence behind these songs?
The two originals, Your Face and The Fullest came completely organically and unexpectedly. To me they will always represent my headspace of this time and wanting to appreciate the good and the power in the simple things. Songs like Impossible Dream, Angels, Both Sides Now....I found even more in them than I had before and singing them felt cathartic in ways I really needed.
Q) You also have a background in acting. Which do you prefer, the music or acting? Do you think that some of this previous acting experience has helped your music career?
I first got into singing because I wanted to be an actor who sang. I was doing plays and musicals and writing on the side just for fun. The fork in the road with singing becoming full time was unexpected but beyond all my wildest dreams. The acting has paved a really great and natural path in my career with fun opportunities and I’ve enjoyed growing and exploring that part of me in a way that I wasn’t able to do solely in music. Having both now is everything to me, but music will always be my number 1.
Q) You recently made CBS Sunday Morning talking to Tracy Smith about dealing with isolation. What are your thoughts on this whole Covid situation and the impact it's having on the music industry?
Isolation, and the loss of vitality we all feel in this shut down is hard on everyone. It’s necessary but from a mental health perspective its really very hard. For me, I’ve found hope and light in the fact we all are using the time to reflect and to create in inventive ways and connect in ways that show us we really NEED to. We miss it so much. Writing and recording and doing virtual livestreams during all of this allows me to express myself, and I feel so lucky to have had that opportunity. There is definitely an appreciation in the world for how vitally important art is in our lives.
Q) As an artist who has sold over 25 million records worldwide, which album/song are you most proud of?
I’m proudest of the songs that pushed me out of any comfort zones. I’m also proud of the songs that reached beyond anything I could have said or done otherwise and resonated. It’s a collaboration and it's always a dance to expand and keep surprising yourself and your fans. I’m always excited by new albums, as I am by this one. I think I’m most proud of an album like Illuminations, which was such a risk. It was deeply personal and I knew it wasn’t going to please everyone. You need to scare yourself every now and then to stay in it.
Q) Have you got a favorite stand-out gig or performance you have played?
Playing Madison Square Garden for the first time sticks out for me. When you get a roar of approval from NYC, there really isn’t anything like it. I think there’s a song or two about that! Taking my debut steps out onto the broadway stage at the Imperial Theater after having theater as a childhood dream is up there too.
Q) Who are your influences?
I grew up with so many great influences. It was all over the map. I listened to singer/songwriters like Paul Simon, James Taylor, Carol King. And I loved the real outside-the-box thinkers, even as a kid... Peter Gabriel, Annie Lennox, a lot of Brits! I also of course listened to great voices, but I didn’t know I’d have one. Making music is always kind of a sum of all that stuff for me, with the voice being front and center. I try to open up and be as influenced by the new generation, the new exploration, as well. It’s an exciting time for that.
Q) If you could pick one person to collaborate with, who would this be?
Bjork. Always has been. Always will be. I let out a sigh every time I’m asked this because I’m sure it will never happen!
Q) Do you have any upcoming gigs planned?
I have a few livestream shows planned that will be so different than anything I’ve ever done. They’re able to reach so many more people around the world, but we're doing it from an isolated room in Los Angeles. It’s very odd but very poetic and beautiful at the same time. We’re really loving them and the fans are too. We‘ll keep finding new and inventive ways to do them if people keep coming to see them. Our next proper gigs will hopefully be at the end of next year if we start to beat this thing.
Q) Have you got a message for your fans?
I just want to thank the fans for saving me in so many ways. I hear from so many of them how the music has meant so much to them and their lives, but it goes both ways. We need each other, and especially now. To have an outlet, a place to express and to have willing and patient listeners…it's everything and I’m grateful. My message is: thank you for following me down every road. Lets keep paving.
Thanks Josh - all the best for the future!
Listen to Impossible Dream below:
