We caught up with Melbourne-based Roots-Rock Singer-Songwriter Joshua Batten to discuss his new album ’The City Within’. It’s the debut full-length studio album by Joshua and his second major release overall following the mini-album “Searching For Answers” in 2017.
A new single “At The End Of The Day” is available to stream and purchase now on BandCamp! The new album ‘The City Within’ is also available to pre-order on CD and digital and will be officially released in early April.
Inspired by classic rock, blues, folk and progressive rock, this young Melbourne-based artist carries fire in his heart and a guitar in his hands. Joshua’s songs reveal insightful lyrics with a depth of feeling beyond his years and bone-deep musical comprehension. His style of 60’s and 70’s folk-country-blues-rock features passionate vocals, accomplished guitar playing and layered arrangements. An active listener from an early age, Joshua has grown up surrounded by different musical styles. He bought his first album at age 7 and by 10 had his first guitar. By the time he reached 16, music had become Joshua’s obsession and his way of connecting with the world. Now in his mid-20’s Joshua Batten is using his talent to share a unique perspective on life and where we might be headed. Joshua’s professional career began while still in high school, by entering the Kingston Arts’ Curtain Call showcase. He won the grand prize – a headline show at the Chandelier Room. The show was recorded and released as a demo EP, instilling an ambition to one day embellish those songs with full studio arrangements. Determined to ensure his musical development, Joshua enrolled at Melbourne Polytechnic, gaining a Bachelor of Music which has given him tools and skills in arranging, composing and guitar playing. In April 2017, he released his debut mini-album Searching for Answers via Only Blues Music. Reaching #17 on the Australian Blues & Roots Airplay Chart, the album received critical acclaim and led to support slots for artists including Russell Morris, Chris Wilson and Geoff Achison, as well as appearances at the 2018 Bruthen and Echuca-Moama Blues Festivals. In August 2018, he reached the semi-finals of the Melbourne Blues Challenge. The album also gained attention overseas in the UK (on BBC Radio Lancashire) and the Netherlands. With continued recognition and a growing fanbase, Joshua plays regular gigs around Melbourne and is becoming a welcome addition to festival bills, thanks to his ability to cut through the busy and crazy of modern life. His songs strive to “know thyself” by exploring genuine reflections of life’s best or not always proudest moments, and then humbly offering them up as common and universal experiences.
The next step in Joshua’s musical journey is the release of a full-length album. Titled The City Within, the album was recorded at Highway 9 Studios and produced by Sean O’Sullivan, with Joshua playing most of the instruments himself.
Joshua’s new single “At The End Of The Day” is available now to stream and download, and his debut full-length album “The City Within” will be released in April 2020.
Joshua will be performing electric sets with a four-piece band at the Penny Black in Melbourne on March 6.