The Reluctant Songwriter: Josiah Taschuk on Music, Memory, and Methodical Creation
From Classical Piano to Storytelling Through Song: A Journey of Therapeutic Expression
In an intimate conversation, singer-songwriter Josiah Taschuk reveals how his early resistance to formal music education ultimately led to a deeply personal approach to songwriting. His journey from structured piano lessons to crafting emotionally resonant lyrics offers insight into how creative expression can emerge from rejection of convention.
Personal and Musical Background [6:29 - 8:11] Taschuk's musical journey began with piano lessons at age four or five, studying under the Royal Conservatory curriculum. However, the structured approach didn't resonate with his natural inclinations. After a few years of formal training, he stepped away from traditional instruction. The turning point came in his teenage years when he acquired what he describes as "a really cheap, almost toy guitar." This informal introduction to music-making proved therapeutic, allowing him to explore sound and composition without the constraints of formal instruction. Rather than experiencing a dramatic moment of revelation about his artistic calling, Taschuk's path to songwriting evolved naturally from this unstructured approach, driven by his appreciation for storytelling through music.
Musical Influences and Literary Foundations [10:40 - 15:30] While Taschuk hesitates to pinpoint specific musical influences, his artistic development was profoundly shaped by literature. His early exposure to classical works, including Charles Dickens and John Milton, introduced him to the musicality of language. The rhythmic nature of Shakespeare's iambic pentameter particularly influenced his approach to songwriting. In his adult years, Taschuk found inspiration in more contemporary voices, notably Charles Bukowski, whose visceral writing style he admires while acknowledging the challenge of adapting such raw prose to musical form.
Emotional Themes and Life Experience [15:42 - 18:45] When discussing how he approaches themes of loss and memory in his music, Taschuk reveals a thoughtful blend of personal experience and universal understanding. He describes his approach as drawing from both specific life experiences and broader philosophical outlooks, though he modestly downplays the depth of his work. His songwriting practice is remarkably consistent, occurring multiple times per week, though not necessarily daily. Rather than rushing through new material, he tends to spend considerable time on each song, carefully rewriting and refining until he's satisfied—or until he decides it's time to move on. His writing process has evolved from filling hundreds of pages of legal paper to primarily working digitally, though he still maintains notebooks for initial ideas before transferring them to computer.
First Songs and Early Writing [19:43 - 21:15] Taschuk's earliest compositions were purely instrumental, emerging during his childhood piano lessons around age four or five. These initial musical expressions weren't formally notated but rather played by memory, reflecting his natural inclination toward free musical expression even at a young age. He didn't begin incorporating lyrics until his teenage years, when themes of independence and small-town life became prominent in his work. This progression from purely instrumental to lyrical composition parallels his journey from structured music education to finding his own voice as a songwriter, with early lyrics particularly focused on themes of escape and independence that resonated with his small-town upbringing.
Crafting Poetic Imagery [28:25 - 34:16] When discussing his approach to creating vivid imagery in his lyrics, Taschuk demonstrates both humility and careful consideration of his craft. Using his song "Colder" as an example, he provides deep insight into how specific images emerge from narrative contexts. The line "I taste the earth above you struggling for air" comes from a song about a widower maintaining daily routines after his wife's death, visiting her grave each evening. The visceral imagery comes from the character's physical interaction with the grave site while grieving. Taschuk emphasizes that his writing ability isn't natural talent but rather a developed skill through practice and revision. He cites Bob Dylan's approach of ensuring every word has its place, though he modestly distances himself from such comparisons. His process involves multiple rewrites and careful consideration of each line's purpose within the larger narrative structure of his songs.
Segment Summary: Part one of our interview reveals a musician who found his voice not through traditional paths but through rejection of formal structure. Taschuk's journey suggests that sometimes the most authentic artistic expression comes from stepping away from convention. His integration of literary influences into his songwriting process demonstrates how different art forms can inform and enrich each other, creating a unique creative perspective that values both spontaneity and craftsmanship. The conversation begins to paint a picture of an artist who approaches his craft with both thoughtful consideration and therapeutic intent, setting the stage for deeper exploration of his creative process.
Midnight Sun 2,491 views Sep 17, 2021
Part 2: A Musical Friendship - Josiah Taschuk on Frank Watkinson
First Impressions [34:22] When Josiah Taschuk first encountered Frank Watkinson's music, it was through Watkinson's cover of "I'll Follow You Into The Dark." The performance deeply moved Taschuk, particularly due to Watkinson's age and life experience lending authenticity to the song's themes of loss and devotion. "Seeing somebody who is in the state that Frank is in perform that song is very moving," Taschuk reflects. "Frank is not a young man anymore, and I think that proximity to loss makes it more real." This stark contrast to younger performers who might lack similar life experiences resonated with Taschuk, leading him to reach out to Watkinson on Facebook with a simple message of appreciation.
Building Connections [37:03] Their initial interaction was remarkably organic. Taschuk's approach was intentionally respectful and non-intrusive, simply expressing appreciation for Watkinson's work. This evolved into a natural conversation that quickly led to their first collaboration—a portrait Taschuk drew of Watkinson, which was paired with one of Watkinson's original songs for a time-lapse video.
Musical Exchange [39:02] The relationship deepened when Watkinson covered Taschuk's song "Midnight Sun" in 2020. For Taschuk, sharing this interpretation with his wife—the song's subject—was particularly meaningful. "It's really nice seeing another person's interpretation of something that you do," he explains, noting how different this was from his usual in-person collaborations.
Creative Partnership [41:44] When discussing their recent collaboration on "When I'm Gone," Taschuk is notably humble about their creative partnership. "It's a lot of fun working on anything with Frank because we get along really well," he says. While hesitant to label their partnership as special, Taschuk acknowledges its personal significance: "Sentimentally it's important to me because I value Frank's friendship and he's very good at what he does."
Kindred Spirits [45:51] Both artists share a similar approach to music—creating for the love of the craft rather than commercial success. Taschuk describes himself as a "bedroom musician," someone who plays at home without seeking an audience. This parallel with Watkinson's self-description as "just a virtual granddad" making songs in his living room suggests a genuine connection based on shared values.
Evolution of Trust [54:45] The depth of their connection is evident in Watkinson's recent cover of Taschuk's song "Colder." Taschuk expresses genuine appreciation for Watkinson's willingness to interpret his personal work, describing it as "sentimentally very nice" to hear Watkinson's take on his music.
Part 2 Summary: The interview segment reveals the organic development of a unique musical friendship between Josiah Taschuk and Frank Watkinson. Their connection, initially sparked by Taschuk's appreciation of Watkinson's emotional authenticity, has evolved into a collaborative partnership built on mutual respect and shared artistic values. Both musicians approach their craft with a refreshing lack of commercial ambition, creating music primarily for its own sake. Their relationship, marked by various collaborations from portrait art to song covers, demonstrates how genuine artistic connections can transcend age differences and digital distances. The story of their friendship offers a heartening glimpse into how authentic creative relationships can flourish in the digital age when rooted in sincere appreciation and shared artistic integrity.
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Josiah Taschuk Interview Questions
Personal and Musical Background
- Can you share a bit about your journey into music? Was there a specific moment when you knew songwriting and performing were your calling, or did it happen more gradually?
- Who or what has been most influential in shaping your sound and lyrical style? How have these influences evolved over time?
- Your music delves into deep emotional themes like loss and memory. Do you draw from specific life experiences, or is it a broader reflection of your outlook on life?
- Can you take us back to the first song you ever wrote? What inspired it, and how does it reflect where you were in life at the time?
- Your lyrics are often vivid and poetic, like in Colder: 'I taste the earth above you struggling for air.' How do you approach crafting such imagery? Does it come naturally or through careful revision?
Relationship with Frank Watkinson
- How did you first come across Frank Watkinson’s music, and what was it about his style or storytelling that resonated with you?
- Frank covered your song Midnight Sun in 2020—a beautiful interpretation of your work. What was your reaction when you first heard it? Did his version give you a new perspective on the song?
- In 2021, you created a detailed portrait of Frank and shared a timelapse video of the process. What inspired you to honor him in this way, and what does that moment represent in your relationship?
- Your collaboration with Frank on When I’m Gone last month brought your voices and styles together so beautifully. What was it like working with him in this way, and what do you think makes your creative partnership so special?
- It’s clear that you and Frank share a deep respect for emotional honesty in your music. Do you think this shared vulnerability has strengthened your connection as both artists and friends?
- Last week, Frank released his cover of your song Colder. How does it feel to have him reinterpret such a deeply personal track, and what does this say about the connection you two have built over the years?
Collaboration on When I’m Gone
- What was the creative process like for you, Frank, and Lonny Eagleton during the recording of this track?
- The song touches on themes of love and farewell, which feel very personal. How did you approach connecting with those themes as a contributor?
Colder and Frank’s Cover
- Your new song Colder has a hauntingly beautiful quality. Can you tell us the story behind the song?
- The lyrics are deeply evocative, with lines like “I taste the earth above you struggling for air.” What was going through your mind when you wrote those words?
- His cover has a stripped-down, emotional resonance that’s uniquely Frank. What stood out to you about his rendition?
Artistic Synergy
- Over the years, your work with Frank has spanned multiple projects—from covers to collaborations. What do you think makes your creative partnership so special?
- How do you think Frank’s interpretation of music aligns or contrasts with your own?
Looking Ahead
- Do you see more collaborations with Frank in the future?
- Are there any upcoming projects or songs you’re currently working on that you’re excited to share with your audience?
- What do you hope listeners take away from your music, particularly songs like Colder and your work with Frank?
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