Josh Simmons Talks Creative Process, Importance of Community and more

Photos by @avisualangel

modrNation: Where are you originally from?

Josh Simmons: I’m originally from Lafayette, but I moved to Baton Rouge in like third grade.

modrNation: How do you feel growing up there led to you wanting to make music?

Josh Simmons: It made me more confident in myself, because out here it’s a very monkey-see monkey-do environment. Most people aren’t very original, so I really had to believe in myself and there was no depending on anybody else. Also just realizing that people listen with their eyes first, once people down here start rocking with me then I can go anywhere because if I make people down here fuck with me then I can do it anywhere. 

modrNation: With such a strong creative community in Baton Rouge right now, what would you say is the importance of community in your creative process?

Josh Simmons: It wasn’t always like this in BR, but over time I feel like we all started to realize that to grow as a city we all need to be on the same page and same agenda, we all used to be so focused on a portrait and not realizing it’s a group photo. We all have a way we can help eachother grow and elevate, so community is kind of the best part of this. 

modrNation: What is the intention behind your music?

Josh Simmons: Just to really inspire and motivate people, get off your ass and do what you need to do. Whether it’s music or you have to take out the trash or whatever, I just want to show you that if I’m doing this you can do whatever you’ve got to. That’s really it at the end of the day, just inspire everyone to take some form of action or initiative.

modrNation: Who are some artists that inspire you most?

Josh Simmons: I feel like it’s really just my peers and my collective Culdesac. We all motivate and inspire each other, nobody else is making shit like we do to be honest. 

modrNation: Every visual you put out not only has high production quality but eye-catching cinematography and concepts, how involved are you in the creative process of your videos?

Josh Simmons: I really direct all my own videos. I create my own treatments then seek out assistance in bringing it together. Visuals are a big part of my music, I feel like I make music that you experience more so than just listen to. Whenever you watch the video, the music can just enhance the whole experience. I really let the beat guide me with the music, so whatever I visualize when I hear the beat is usually how the writing comes out.

modrNation: Do you like to keep a close circle with your video team or is it more widespread?

Josh Simmons: A bit of both, every time I reach out to new people I still like to have my few homies from BR with me always. The scene is always getting better out here, so there’s more support and people to help than there was before. 

modrNation: Earlier this year you dropped your well-received single “Wood Grain”, what was the creative process behind that?

Josh Simmons: I made that song in New York and the majority of the song was freestyled. I had just linked with MARCO PLUS in the studio and seen how he just jumps in the booth and punches in so I wanted to try it. First time doing it I came up with the hook for Wood Grain then just kept building it until I looked back and had almost a whole song. The inspiration was really just traveling and being around good people more than anything. I use that punch in technique a lot more now too.

modrNation: Reflecting back on this year, what would you say is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?

Josh Simmons: Patience. I’ve had different situations with visuals not coming out how I’d like, or songs not getting done in a timely manner, or anything else. Time is what you make it, so just be patient and the more time you put into something the better it’ll come out.

modrNation: What would you say is the importance of finding your own identity and individuality as an artist and a person in a time where so many people are making music?

Josh Simmons: I feel like individuality is what separates you and makes you stand out. I really just do whatever feels good or whatever I like at the moment, not worrying about what the next person's opinion is, I’m no longer holding myself to other people’s expectations and only myself. That allowed me to live and move freely, it took a lot of weight off my shoulders. 

modrNation: Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Josh Simmons: I see myself with a nice catalog for sure as far as visuals and music. I want to really pursue clothing, open some stores and a clothing line. I’d like to go into acting and modeling too, really just true elevation and tapping into the best version of myself.