Chris: Back once again for another episode of Pop Culture Catch Up and this week we are going to be talking about new singles a tour you should be looking for and talking to Joshua Grimmie.
Sarah: And we wanted to be respectful and wait until everyone was in a better place before we could release this episode, we also wanted to seen prayers and best wishes to the Grimmie family and friends.
Jake: It was a happy ending to the stressful situation.
Chris: on with the show and the first thing to talk about is they came out with a new season of Celebrity Big Brother and fucking A Tyler getting too close to the Hess clan I might lose my spot, but I'm sure if he fights with Payton, for reasons I don't understand, he would get some fans. Payton seems to has have been made to be on reality tv he just pops out the screen so if he gets tired of rapping he could always go on the screens in people living room or bigger screens in theatres.
Jake: Six years ago James Urie came out with his debut single and people thought his debut album "Climbing" wasn't that good. But he is working on his fifth album and already released a single to go with that album
Corpses There was a good review about wordplay and how this song has a deeper meaning, Question is James Urie the face of rock and roll?
Chris: Internet memes go!
Chris: Long answer no and I think that happens to all conscious artist. That's not to take away any of the talent and/or achievement but not everyone is going to be on the deeper meaning. A lot of people are for moods and feels. Plus you look at someone like Suzie who sells a lot on her sex appeal while artist that are in that same field isn't going to complete with Izzy on star power and not with Suzie on sex appeal then you are going to fall in boxes and rankings. Is that fair no but them's the break.
Sarah: Medina came with a new single Tasteless drug and it has this catchy indie vibe with a little hint Asian strings has a nice bounce to it when you listen to it and it does feel like something you listen to for the feels. She does a good job not having her voice over power the music that is soft and trance-like how did you guys like the song.
Jake: I liked it, and I know Chris bags on people about taking long breaks in between singles but its hard work to try to always perfect singles and get management and songwriters and producers all in line to follow this vision for what you want your project to be. There are a lot of hands in the process and everyone has a part to play in all of it.
Chris: You know that scene in GetOut where the lady is stirring the teacup, that how I feel about this song. I feel like if I listen hard enough someone is going to try to kidnap me or something and it isn't going to be good. The vibe I get is pretty hypnotic and I have seen too many movies to not like how that feels.
Jake: Why do you think someone is going to kidnap you?
Chris: I don't know I do remember last time I gloated about Billy on me some fan girl might want my skin to get close to Billy, I know a lot of celebs any crazy fan might do that Izzy might have had a miscarriage, Payton is faking he knows grammar and possibly was an English major! The Spoon is a lie!
Jake....Ummm Okay, I didn't think we would go down that rabbit hole but I know what will get this back on track Riot! with a new single Comeback kids.
Chris: I do love me some Riot! but I'm waiting for the day they just stop making music and then I'm going to be all sad and wonder were they the best rock group of all time? Amy and Adam are two stars that have already done solo work before and there is going to come a time where the two of them are just not going to be around to do the other stuff for the band and if that is the case. Jason might go into songwriting and that will be it a powerful band that come together and made something special and then went on their own to individual goals. Now I'm depressed. *Slowly takes his tin fold hat off*
Sarah: Other news we a Tour going soon Total Annihilation 9 in London and with all of the attacks going on the show is going to be a much needed and appreciated what are you guys most looking forward to seeing?
Jake: Joshua Grimmie, I wonder how the performance is going to be and if he going to be in the right mind frame or are we going to get another Steve moment. Also, what is Mariko going to do?
Chris: Atomic War Bride and SYNCO! One hardly ever does show and I am the 7th member I got to support my group.
Chris: Alright time for quick hits! we need to get the rest of the stuff out of the way and get to the interview.
Jake: Okay Elyar Black new single Gold Digger
Chris: all I got to say is that is pretty dirty, for an ex and then I saw him with Gemma?
Sarah: Barbie Doll Asleep
Chris: I actually missed Barbie that weird sound and look like Radiovine love child. But the lyrics dark as fuck. Like learning that Barney the dinosaur was actually molesting kids.
Jake: Misu double release Sex on the Beach and Fade Away
Chris: Just because you release two single doesn't erase the fact you did awful in CBB.
Sarah: Joshua Breathe Fire
Chris: OH no! I do these quick takes but I got one you, Sarah. You always put Jake and me on the spot for liking attractive girls that can see well. Martin Skye "I wanna be famous,"
Sarah:
Jake: *Fake Gasp* Sarah! That's alright I know how you feel.
Chris: but now she can stop getting on my case when I look at girls on Instagram. I means hot can I not say hot damn to this? @chaelinCL got buns
Josh: Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome our guest at this time Joshua Grimmie
Sarah: First of all congratulations on winning FCA artist to Watch award and also performing which was more exciting?
Joshua: Hey everyone. It's great to be here. Well, thank you very much! It was all a whirlwind and definitely one of the best nights of my life. I think that performing was exciting and rather intimidating at the same time. One of the biggest stages I've ever played on and there was a lot of pressure on the performance as I had been away for a while. Obviously, it fell apart towards the end and the whole thing was bittersweet as I loved the performance but it was remembered more for *that* quote. I'd say winning was more exciting...at least it gives me fonder memories, for sure. Winning the first award of the night, especially after being away from music for a while was just...incredible.
Josh: You also came out with your debut album Porcelain Heart was there any nerves about your first album?
Joshua: Yeah, lots of nerves. Obviously a successful first album means that you get to record a second one with your label. I had that pressure as well as my personal connection to it. It's the first impression you give to the world as an artist and if it doesn't go down well, chances are you aren't going to have much fanfare after that either. I felt like there was a lot of pressure on getting this album right. A lot of eyes watching. Not saying I'm the most sought after artist in the world but I released Prayer in 2015, garnered a fan base and casual listeners...but no album. I had trouble with my first label which meant I couldn't release an album and I'd often see questions about it in my feed on a daily basis. People were waiting for it and I had to deliver the goods. Also, I wanted a record for myself. Something I was proud of and can stand by as an artist. I think I pulled it off. I am very happy with my record.
Chris: You’re in a relationship with Johnny Carter another young up and comer have there been talks of doing music together?
Joshua: Funny you should bring that up. I messaged him earlier and asked him if he wants to do a collaboration on like a cover or something. Just a little video to put up on YouTube for the fans to enjoy. We have very different singing tones but I feel like the contrast would work well. As far as anything official, nope. No collaborations on a record, no singles from us. I hate to sound pessimistic but I have to be real; relationships don't last. I PLAN on being with Johnny for a very long time but things happen. I wouldn't want to have a big hit with him only to split and have that song be a constant reminder, you know? I think that couples should never release an official recording. It's kinda tacky. Just...not for me.
Sarah: Is there some friendly competition between you and Johnny is there anyone that you do have a rivalry with in terms of music?
Joshua: There's not a competition but we certainly pressure one another in a good way. He'll listen to my stuff, I'll listen to his and just give honest notes. We push each other to be the best that we can be. As far as music rivals go, I don't see anyone as a rival but obviously the media and fans like to pit me against others. I'm a solo male musician so naturally I get compared to the likes of Lincoln, Austin Nimmo, Hayden, Alec Cole, Dae Ho Park, Kato, Brandon Grey...the list goes on. We all do our own thing, though. My biggest competition is myself. I have to keep getting better and produce quality work.
Chris: Both of us deal with Bipolar and it isn’t a great feeling when you are constantly going up and down on emotions what made you want to write that open letter?
Joshua: I wanted to show that we are not alone and that there's nothing to feel ashamed of. There's a stigma surrounding mental health issues and with laws coming into place which try to debunk the importance of certain mental health conditions, it's time to speak out. We won't be silenced. We have a story to tell and many of us need help. If my letter brightens up a person's day and stops them from doing something they'll regret, great. If someone identifies with the letter and goes to get checked out by the doctor, wonderful. If someone reads it and realizes that they know someone in that situation and it gives them a better understanding, allowing them to reach out to that person, fantastic. I just wanna raise awareness, show people that they don't suffer alone and that there is nothing to be ashamed of. Bipolar exists. We can manage it, however, and it does not make us less of a person.
Josh: Where do you feel you stand in pop music, as far as musically you think you are the best musician in pop right now?
Joshua: Ah, my manager, Bilal Holmes, said that I was hard to put into a box and that sums me up perfectly. I don't identify with many categories that people like to live their lives by and it irks them. My music is pretty much the same too. It borrows from all different kinds of genres and it drives those who love to pigeonhole absolutely nuts. I'm young and have a boyish look so I'm automatically classed as a "pop boy" but my music isn't really that. It just dabbles in it. With my lyrics, storytelling and the fact that I sound a lot older than my years, I verge on the singer-songwriter genre like Ryan Ross Hernandez, Hayden and the likes. Rather "mature" music, if you will. I also have the more radio friendly elements in my music too. I flirt with synthpop and electronica...stuff that could spin on mainstream radio. Not that their music lacks substance but the overall sounds of Kato, Lincoln and Dae have a more contemporary and commercial vibe and I dabble with that too. I sit in the middle. Best musician in pop? Like I said earlier, I tend not to focus on others as we all do our own thing. If you start worrying about what others are doing and how "great" they are, you lose sight of your own project. I'm the best version of Joshua Grimmie I can be and I intend to keep on progressing.
Chris: You never shy from opinion why do you think you’re such a lightning rod for conversation?
Joshua: The media tend to make a beeline for someone and just hound them. There's always a period of time when someone is "popular to hate". Scott Wellington from Weekend, one of my bosses, suffered from it. ANYTHING he said was met with backlash and it is a shame. I guess I'm just unlucky. I could sneeze and they would spin that into an in depth article on how I was "shading" Aaron Styles because he sneezed once 2 years ago. Also, I think it's down to the fact that No.45 is in power. Ever since those cretins entered The White House, there seems to be an influx of "new Conservatives". They think that because he "won", it's OK to spread hate to those who oppose. I'm a Liberal. Real left wing and I own that. These uneducated kids thinking that free speech allows them to spew hate without consequence. Libtard? Really? They say dumb stuff like that all the time. If you have a heart, you are dumb...apparently. We all have to hate everything, strip things away from everyone and be selfish as hell. That makes you a good citizen and patriot, so they say. I don't stand for ANY of that and again, I think that's a reason for a HUGE backlash.
Sarah: Speaking of opinions how do you feel about the world and what’s going on?
Joshua: Oh that is a big question with many possible answers, Sarah. Ummm...in all honesty, I DO think that things will take a turn for the BETTER but it may take some time. I feel like we're all suffering so that we learn what really matters and what is truly best for us. France made the best decision and voted Emmanuel Macron. In the UK, I feel like lots of people are seeing through Theresa May and her incompetence. A lot of their major press outlets are always in her favor and try to paint her main opponent, Jeremy Corbyn, as a blundering idiot but many questions are being raised. After those tragic terrorist attacks in the UK, many people are questioning her policies, where her loyalties lie and she's really being hounded...hopefully she'll be out the door too. As for President 45, he's gaining weight in his mid-section and not sleeping, apparently. The pressure is getting to him. Hopefully he resigns or upcoming trials see him impeached.
Chris: Alright speed questions
Hardest song to write on the album and why?
Joshua: Breathe Fire but that was oddly the easiest AND the hardest. It was easy because it was personal and I knew what the entire topic was about. I had so many thoughts, words and emotions all swirling around in my brain but the challenge was to get it all down on paper. As it was so personal, I had to get it right. Wanted it to show me the way I wanted it too. Nothing left out and not overkill with the story of my life. As it was closing the album as well it added more pressure.
Are there any sex tapes in the closet?
Joshua: Oh my gosh, noooo! Even if there was, not sure many people would want to see me doing...that.
Who you got issues with and why?
Joshua: The GOP. Bunch of insensitive and backwards thinking assholes...oh, I'm allowed to swear, right? The terrorists...they are scum of the Earth. Giving people and religions a bad name and claiming lives that are not theirs to take. Hate doesn't win. Generally, it's all the oppressors I have an issue with. Sexists, racists, homophobic people, abelists...all those dicks.
If you have to vote for a celebrity to be the next president who would you vote for?
Joshua: Pfft, when has that worked? Uh, probably Riley Hamilton. I know he's not over 35 and not even a resident of the United States but if anyone can unite people and keep a clear head at all times, it is Riley Hamilton.
Are you going to do What the fuck Steve moments on tour?
Joshua: Haha! Hopefully not. You know, I've poked fun at it on SNL and I even referenced it in my open letter. The original quote was...a terrible thing to say. Wasn't planned, it came out of anger and I regret it. Poor Steve. I don't plan on ever being serious and biting someone's head off like that again. People seem to like the quote and find it funny though so if they want to hear it...I might think of funny ways to incorporate it into stuff. I don't want it to be overkill. Like I said, I already did the SNL spoof and mentioned it in my letter.
You are on a boat with 5 other people and a boat sinking but you have to paddle to land and the land is empty of food; who do you have on the boat and who is the first one to be eating?
Joshua: Well I would obviously have Johnny with me. The other four would be...my manager, Bilal. I'd have my best friends Dae and Lincoln. Finally I'd have Jennifer Armstrong because I just adore her. I think we'd all have a great time on the island at first. The first person to be eaten though...and don't take this the wrong way...it'd have to be Lincoln. He's rather muscular. Lot of meat on his bones. Sorry!
