British singer songwriter Joe Hicks has released his new single, Time is a Thief, and announced his new studio album, Before It Gets Dark. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
Hailing from Newbury in Berkshire, Joe released his first single at the start of 2017 and his debut album, The Best I Could Do at the Time, in 2022.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I played the part of the Pharaoh in my primary school production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
I was born with one kidney.
My great-grandparents were Irish.
How would you describe your music?
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A tug of war between a tortured singer-songwriter and his guitar loving alter ego.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Anyone who also conveys a similar battle in their own music. Artists that blend deep lyricism with musical complexity - Radiohead, Everything Everything, John Martyn, John Mayer, Carole King, Paul Simon.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
I grew up going to folk sessions in pubs around the south of England with my parents, so I would count those. A truly incredible melting pot of different instruments and such a motivating environment for me at the time learning to play guitar. In terms of a ticketed gig, it was The Darkness at Wembley Arena - Justin Hawkins came on riding a white tiger suspended from the ceiling.
What was the first record you ever bought?
I still have it: Boyzone - By Request. My exposure to music at that time consisted of my parent's CD collection and whatever the great Terry Wogan was playing on his Radio 2 breakfast show when I was in the car on the way to school.
What's your favourite song right now?
Soothing by Laura Marling - a mesmerising piece of music that has so much texture I swear you can reach out and touch the sound coming out of the speakers.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Hard to pick an all-time favourite, but right now it's: "And no reptiles! Just soft boiled eggs in shirts and ties, waiting for the flashing green man, Quivering and wobbling just like all the eggs you know" - No Reptiles by Everything Everything. Jonathan Higgs' social commentary is unmatched and has given me a lot of confidence to dive deeper with my lyric writing.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Either Walt Grace's Submarine Test, January 1967 by John Mayer, or - May You Never by John Martyn.
Where can people find your music/more information?
I am Joe Hicks on all streaming platforms, @joehicksmusic on all social media, you can support me on Bandcamp, and to keep up to date with all new musical offerings and any shows I have coming up - visit my website. Thank you very much for having me!
Alan Corr
