In this interview spotlight, I chat with pianist and composer Joshua Rich about his latest project, motivations, challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I’m from New England, a town outside of Boston called Needham. I moved to California after high school, and have been in the Washington, D.C. area for the past 20 years. I create solo piano music, in the style of George Winston.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
I am a completely self-taught pianist – have never had a lesson in my life. I began playing and composing when I was eight years old. So, music really chose me and led me down this path. What motivates me to keep going is knowing the joy and excitement and heartfelt feelings that people experience when I play and perform.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
This new release is different from previous solo piano albums in that I have been spending the past few years trying to gain success as a singer and composer of jazz and pop music, but that has not been working. So, this new release is me getting back to my roots – composing at the piano and playing, where I am most comfortable and well-received.
As far as what I am trying to accomplish, just to make it as good (if not better than) my previous releases.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
I’ll start with the positive – the technology has helped me in that I can get my music in front of a ton of people simply by releasing an album through CD Baby and instantly be streaming on all platforms. Since terrestrial radio was the only platform available when I was growing up, getting my music streaming instantly is amazing.
I guess the over-saturation is a challenge, and I do wonder if that creates more of a challenge than in the perhaps simpler days of releasing albums and only having one or two ways to be heard. However, it’s a double-edged sword, because the over-saturation is a by-product of the ability I have as an indie musician to be on a ton of listening platforms instantly. So, hopefully, the cream still rises to the top!
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
My website – www.joshuarich.com
Anything else before we sign off?
Just that anyone out there listening, keep plugging away. Try to appreciate the moments that people enjoy your music, enjoy the process, stay present and try not to get ahead of yourself. The journey is the thing, I think.
