Interview: Getting to Know ttwig
Blending psychedelic rock, indie, alternative rock, and bedroom pop, ttwig has released ‘Hang Ten Colors to Catch the Sun’, a gorgeous sonic journey from start to finish. A cohesive family of songs that call to all five senses (maybe six or seven if you give yourself an uninterrupted 40min listening experience with great headphones). In this interview we get to know the artist a little better.
1. Hello! Thank you for taking the time to chat to us. First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started.
The pleasure is mine. I’m Josh. I make music as ttwig. When I was 10, my 2 best friends played trumpet in the school band and wanted me to join. After school one day, my friend showed me a little riff on the trumpet (the outro to the Spongebob Squarepants theme song.) He told me to take my time as it could take a while to learn. I picked up my friend’s trumpet and played the riff back to him first try. I’ve been playing/creating music ever since, picking up every instrument I see along the way.
2. Someone comes to you and asks you to sum up what kind of music you play – what do you tell them?
I am the self proclaimed “Ellen DeGenreless” but the ttwig sound is a bit more honed in. I’d say psychedelic nostalgia rock.
3. What’s currently keeping you busy? A new album/EP/single release? A new video? Playing live, or planning ahead?
I am always creating! And strategizing. Because I make so much music, I am sitting on tons of projects I need to put out.
4. What is about this current period that is particularly exciting for you?
I’m just excited for people to really dive into this record!
5. Tell me about the work that has gone into making it a reality and what it means to you.
The music for this record was made in 2020 so most of the work was building the universe around it. Music means everything to me. It’s the best way I know to express myself. I had a lot of fun creating the visual world to accompany the sounds. Shoutout my friend Ryan for his animations and Vince for creating the amazing music video for I Wanna Be A Dog.
6. Making music and being creative can be a very positive experience and can be very good for the mind. In what way has making music had a positive impact on your mental health?
I have tons of ideas and music is an amazing way to get them out of my head and transform them into a visceral form. Better out than in!
7. It can also be incredibly challenging, more so in the modern times. What have been some challenging aspects of making music and how have you overcome them?
Making music has never been challenging for me. I guess it’s getting the music heard that can be a challenge.
8. How do you handle the online aspects of being in a band? Having to put out content constantly, promoting across several different social media platforms, and having your success measured in likes and follows?
I really don’t like it hahaha. I pine for simpler times. I think that’s the case for a lot of artists nowadays. I don’t think many people really want to post “content” (I hate this word), be their own manager or be very forward facing. I just want my music to be heard and in the process inspire others!
9. How do you make this part of things enjoyable, and fulfilling, for yourself?
I think at the end of the day, even in the digital world we live in, the music is always the most important thing. If the music is good, it will find it’s way.
10. Speaking directly to listeners – what would you ask they do to help support you?
Listen to the music! Share the music directly with people you love! Shoot me a message or email! Book me to play a show!
11. Outside of music, what do you like to do to relax?
I’m in a book club with my childhood friends which has been awesome. Also love TV, movies & anything involving nature.
12. Where can people find you?
