For Melbourne-based, singer-songwriter Joshua Batten, optimism isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about acknowledging the difficulties, concentrating on what can be controlled and finding a way through. That philosophy provides the foundation for True Optimism, Batten’s third full-length studio album, due for release on September 28. Joshua Batten sat down with Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips over a zoom call to chat about the creation of his new album True Optimism.
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Following the sprawling, theatrical song cycle of Learn To Live Again, Batten deliberately set out to make a more accessible, song-focused record. Where his previous album chronicled a journey of self-acceptance, True Optimism returns to individual songs that can stand on their own, while still reflecting the realities of life as an independent musician in 2026.
“The only way out is through,” Batten says, describing the mindset that shaped the album. Personal challenges, economic pressures and the relentless negativity of the news cycle all found their way into the writing process. Rather than allowing those forces to dictate the mood of the record, however, Batten began looking for the small victories, the moments of connection, resilience and joy that can provide a counterweight to the gloom.
The album began taking shape in 2024, when Batten rented studio time at The Alamo and treated songwriting almost like a day job. He would spend several focused hours working on chords, lyrics and melodies, aiming to leave each session with something tangible. The discipline proved particularly useful after the emotional demands of Learn To Live Again, giving him a structured way to get his creativity moving again.
The earliest song, “Coming To Our Senses”, emerged as a response to the anger and division Batten felt surrounded by. As the writing continued, however, the mood began to shift. Songs such as “Spring Fever” and “True Optimism” arrived more quickly, reflecting a gradual move away from introspection and towards finding the positive in everyday experience.
Not everything came easily. “Diamond in the Coal” and “Keep Our Love Alive” were among the final songs completed, with both changing substantially during the writing process. The latter ultimately became a song about maintaining connections with friends experiencing difficult circumstances – an idea Batten describes in terms of love, patience and allowing relationships to ebb and flow.
Musically, True Optimism occupies a broad roots-rock territory, drawing on blues, folk and country while retaining Batten’s fondness for classic rock songwriting. The album’s ten tracks were intentionally shaped around a concise 45-minute vinyl format, with Batten aiming to create what he describes as a more “standard Joshua Batten record”.
There is also a noticeable emphasis on vocal harmony. The Beatles and classic-era Fleetwood Mac provided early inspiration, while artists including Flying Colors, Neil Finn, Kansas and Styx helped inform Batten’s approach to layered vocals. Jason Vorherr supplies bass and some of the backing vocals, while Montana Sharp contributes the higher female harmonies, adding another dimension to the arrangements.
The bluesier side of Batten’s musical personality comes through strongly on “Dangerous Mind”. Originally written for the Melbourne Blues Challenge, the track was given a heavier, dirtier treatment in the studio. Producer Sean O’Sullivan encouraged Batten to experiment with a lower tuning, ultimately leading to the use of drop C and a grittier guitar sound. The result sits comfortably alongside the alternative-blues character heard on his previous record.
Guitar remains at the centre of the album. Batten once again relied heavily on his PRS Custom 24, which he describes affectionately as being like “an old pair of slippers”. A Mesa Boogie amplifier provided much of the electric guitar tone, while O’Sullivan’s Ibanez hollowbody was reconfigured for the low tuning on “Dangerous Mind”. Batten also introduced slide guitar to his recorded repertoire, along with volume swells, while Phillip Legget added pedal steel to two of the acoustic-oriented tracks.
The album’s sole ballad, “Melody”, takes a more personal route. Batten uses the name as a personification of his relationship with music, a relationship that, by his own admission, has endured longer than any other. The song has subsequently acquired an unintended second meaning, with Batten’s drummer Jeremy Li’s partner also being named Melody, while former band member Clinton Cox’s daughter shares the name. Both contributed to the track, adding an appropriately personal touch.
Live performance is already an important part of the album’s identity. Batten has performed most of the songs in some form, initially in acoustic settings and more recently with his expanded band. The Joshua Batten Band currently features Jeremy Li on drums and Terry McLeod on bass, with Allan Venn joining on keyboards for selected shows. The flexible three- and four-piece configurations allow the arrangements to breathe differently depending on the setting.
For Batten, that live adaptability is important. Some songs, including the title track and “Patience and Persistence”, lend themselves naturally to an acoustic presentation, while others are designed to hit harder with the full band. “Dangerous Mind” presents a particular logistical challenge thanks to its low tuning, but Batten remains open to finding different ways to translate the studio arrangements to the stage.
True Optimism appears to be less about reaching some permanent state of positivity than about developing a method for dealing with whatever comes next. Batten says that having goals, deadlines and something creative to work towards has helped him move through difficult periods.
True Optimism is released September 28, 2026. The album will initially be available digitally through Batten’s website and Bandcamp, with physical CDs and vinyl available at his shows. Streaming services are scheduled to follow in early 2027. Batten will launch the album with a full-band show at Kew Courthouse on October 17 as part of the Matsumura Jailhouse Concert Series, following an appearance at the Fleurieu Folk Festival, with further shows across Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia through to December.
JOSHUA BATTEN ‘TRUE OPTIMISM’ ALBUM TOUR OCT-DEC 2026
Oct 9-11 – FLEURIEU FOLK FESTIVAL, WILUNGA SA SET TIMES TBA
Sat Oct 17 – MATSUMURA JAILHOUSE CONCERT, KEW VIC ALBUM LAUNCH W BAND & SPECIAL GUESTS TICKETED SHOW – BOOK NOW!
Thurs Oct 22 @ 7:30PM – MISS CELIES, SYDNEY NSW ELECTRIC JAM W. SYDNEY BLUES SOCIETY BAND FREE ENTRY OR RESERVE TABLE ONLINE*
Fri Oct 23 @ 7:30PM – FILLMORE’S, KIAMA NSW 2×60 MIN SETS – FREE ENTRY
Sat Oct 24 @ 4PM – MISS CELIES, SYDNEY NSW 2×60 MIN SETS – SOLO FREE ENTRY OR RESERVE TABLE ONLINE* (*$30 MINIMUM FOOD/DRINK SPEND)
Fri Nov 6 @ 9PM – 12 BAR, BELGRAVE VIC 2×60 MIN SETS – SOLO FREE ENTRY
Sun Nov 15 @ 5PM – SHEDSHAKER, CASTLEMAINE VIC 2×50 MIN SETS – SOLO FREE ENTRY
Sat Nov 21 @ 3PM – DOOR GALLERY CAFE, GEELONG VIC ELECTRIC W BAND SUPPORT FROM ALLEY SALLY TICKETED SHOW – ON SALE NOW!
Fri Dec 4 @ 9PM – MEMPHIS SLIM’S, ADELAIDE SA ELECTRIC W BAND – 3×45 MIN SETS FREE ENTRY
Sat Dec 5 @ 8PM – THREE BROTHERS ARMS, MACCLESFIELD SA ELECTRIC W BAND – 2×60 MIN SETS TICKETED SHOW – ON SALE SOON
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