Finding his niche
Pix courtesy Kanishka Mendis, RBL
A few years ago Joshua Vittachi (22) wrote a song called ‘Lost’ a friend who had heard it professed he had it on repeat while going through some tough times in his life
For Joshua that was probably the biggest moment, knowing something he had written and composed was able to reach someone; that was his dream. Incientally, the young singer/songwriter broke into the local music industry with that same hit single ‘Lost.’
“Music began as an escape and still is but it’s also more than that now, I think music is just an amazing way of connecting with people. It affects my life, be it in my travelling, during worship in church or just lounging around at home, it’s like there’s a song or one to be written for every moment I’ve lived,” says Joshua.
The young artiste grew up virtually surrounded by music – nights out with the family listening to his dad when he used to play with Flame as well as family gatherings where someone always had a guitar or a piano. Growing up he didn’t think much about being a musician. At the age of seven his dad got him a little Yamaha guitar but in about a month or two he had lost interest, however he always loved music and listening to it became his escape. However, what really convinced him was hearing songs that echoed the feelings he had but couldn’t translate into words.
During his formative years sounds of the Eagles, Beatles, Beegees, Billy Joel etc.were common place. Then on his own he listened to groups ranging from Blue, Relient K and U2. Bands/Artists that influenced his song writing are Alter Bridge, Jonathan & Melissa Helser, Brian & Jenn Johnson, Ed Sheeran, Noah Gunderson, Jeff Buckley, Sleeping at Last, Thriving Ivory, Big Wreck and James Bay.
Joshua hopes to release an EP of three or four songs in February and depending on how it goes he wants to record an album. He has about 12 to 14 songs that he wants to record.
He considers himself an Indie Singer/Songwriter. “If I were to have sub-genre’s I’m guessing it would be acoustic pop-rock and Country. Well for one I think that’s just my writing style but also it’s probably the genre I listen to and emulate the most,” he explained.
When asked about the challenges he claimed there was a general lack of appreciation for a musician’s craft. “I still think as musicians we have a roadblock in the sense that people do not value musicians well. When I first started I began feeling like a human MP3 player where if I had the audacity to tell a patron that I didn’t perform the song they wanted they gave me a severe look of disdain so as to say ‘You don’t play Hotel Calafornia? Useless noh.’
His future plans are to promote his EP in Sri Lanka and abroad and ideally have a record company behind him so he could do a tour.
When asked what keeps him grounded, “To be very honest even before I really got into music I went through a few rebellious years but it’s always been God and the family and friends he’s blessed me with that’s kept me grounded and made me who I am today and in the sense of my music I think it’s just always important to stay true to what you are, I mean people change and you can’t help that, styles evolve, genres change and so on but as long as you are true to your heart and not just trying to make a quick buck, that’s what matters. I think going forward I just want to keep doing things that I know honour what have been poured into my life and spread positivity, love and affirmation.” To the aspiring artists he says, “You could write a 100 songs before you find your niche, don’t give up so easy! Also, when you sing or play, practice hard enough that when it comes to the moment, you can just let go, you may forget the lyrics or chords, but have fun.”
Follow Joshua on facebook.com/JoshuaVittachi/
