Joshua Idehen

Musician — London

01Profile

A Joshua Idehen Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Joshua Idehen, British Born Nigerian.

Describe your style in three words?
Comfortable, thrown on, muted.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
There are several, but the last Beach House gig I went to, where they played every song I loved off every album, back to back, like they knew I was going to be there? Yep.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Khruangbin - one day they're gonna feature a poet on their lineup and I'm gonna be sad it wasn't me. Menahan Street Band - again, one day they're gonna make an album with a poet...

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Easy, easy: Spoken word and vaporwave/chopped and screwed. One day I will make that album.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
The middle eastern hippy who inspired the legend of Jesus. I mean, just to watch his face when I show him what everyone thinks he looks like? Ooof. Reaction vids for days.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
Paganini Ballroom, Great Escape 2018 with my band Benin City. We were a fairly unknown band whose set was moved till after the headline act. We thought no one would turn up. The space was rammed. the sound was perfect. Yeah, you had to be there.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
That'll be Wildbirds & Peacedrums. They have not made a single bad album and came out the gate sounding like Bjork convinced Dave Grohl to spend a month with her and a drum kit.


Spoken word artist and mainstay of the UK jazz/electronic scene, Joshua Idehen, recently released his debut solo single 'Don’t You Give Up On Me'. Listen, purchase or stream it via orcd.co/dyguom.

Watch the video, directed by Agatha Powa, below.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'Too Legit To Quit' by MC Hammer.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Breathe' by Prodigy.

One record you would keep forever?
'I Live With You' by Grizzly Bear.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
"Life is a game and true love is its trophy"

From 'Poses' by Rufus Wainwright.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Holding On' by Julio Bashmore.

A song you wished you had written?
'Just For The Times' by Everyone You Know.

Best song to turn up loud?
'Ultra Thizz' by Rustie.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Dreams' by Stark Reality.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Super Rich Kids' by Sly5thAve.

Any new music you are listening to right now?

'Zeus' by Siren Of Lesbos.
'Blame' by Gabriels.
'Will I See You Again?' by Thee Sacred Souls.
'Dream Free' by Sam Evian, Hannah Cohen.
'Batu' by Jason Nolan.

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Joshua Idehen, British Born Nigerian.

Describe your style in three words?
Comfortable, thrown on, muted.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
There are several, but the last Beach House gig I went to, where they played every song I loved off every album, back to back, like they knew I was going to be there? Yep.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Khruangbin - one day they're gonna feature a poet on their lineup and I'm gonna be sad it wasn't me. Menahan Street Band - again, one day they're gonna make an album with a poet...

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Easy, easy: Spoken word and vaporwave/chopped and screwed. One day I will make that album.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
The middle eastern hippy who inspired the legend of Jesus. I mean, just to watch his face when I show him what everyone thinks he looks like? Ooof. Reaction vids for days.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
Paganini Ballroom, Great Escape 2018 with my band Benin City. We were a fairly unknown band whose set was moved till after the headline act. We thought no one would turn up. The space was rammed. the sound was perfect. Yeah, you had to be there.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
That'll be Wildbirds & Peacedrums. They have not made a single bad album and came out the gate sounding like Bjork convinced Dave Grohl to spend a month with her and a drum kit.


Spoken word artist and mainstay of the UK jazz/electronic scene, Joshua Idehen, recently released his debut solo single 'Don’t You Give Up On Me'. Listen, purchase or stream it via orcd.co/dyguom.

Watch the video, directed by Agatha Powa, below.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'Too Legit To Quit' by MC Hammer.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Breathe' by Prodigy.

One record you would keep forever?
'I Live With You' by Grizzly Bear.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
"Life is a game and true love is its trophy"

From 'Poses' by Rufus Wainwright.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Holding On' by Julio Bashmore.

A song you wished you had written?
'Just For The Times' by Everyone You Know.

Best song to turn up loud?
'Ultra Thizz' by Rustie.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Dreams' by Stark Reality.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Super Rich Kids' by Sly5thAve.

Any new music you are listening to right now?

'Zeus' by Siren Of Lesbos.
'Blame' by Gabriels.
'Will I See You Again?' by Thee Sacred Souls.
'Dream Free' by Sam Evian, Hannah Cohen.
'Batu' by Jason Nolan.

 

05Videos

Joshua Idehen | Don't You Give Up On Me (2022)