Joshua Batten has always been a man on a mission, a passionate young artist with the drive to overcome any obstacles in his way to achieve his lofty goals. Offering a couple of EPs early in his career, Joshua took lessons learned from those into the recording of his acclaimed 2020 debut album The City Within. Now in 2022 he delivers the album he’s been eyeing off for most of his life. Focussing on the themes of mental health, Learn to Live Again is an ambitious concept album in which Joshua shows a significant growth in his songwriting, vocal delivery and musicianship. A longtime fan of prog rock and the many classic concept albums to be found in that genre, Joshua presents us with a four part opus mixing heartfelt ballads, beautiful string arrangements, vintage synth sounds, and powerful rockers, all blending delightfully to tell the tale of his personal journey. Joshua describes the album himself as “a musical journey, navigating the COVID-19 pandemic through neurodiversity” Learn to Live Again is out today, October 3rd
Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips caught up with singer, songwriter, guitarist Joshua Batten and his producer/engineer Sean O’Sullivan at Highway 9 Productions, where the album was recorded to discuss the creation of Learn to Live Again.
https://www.joshuabatten.com.au/home
https://www.highway9productions.com/
Joshua launches the album with a series of shows at The MC Showroom 48 Clifton St Prahran October 13-16 as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival. tix@melbournefringe.com.au or phone 03 9660 9666.
