Rising Stars: Meet Joshua Close

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Close.

Hi Joshua, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
Growing up, I was shy and an only child. My parents liked to have a beer and watch movies/TV after work. Although watching a movie occasionally was nice, I preferred locking myself in my bedroom and finding a creative outlet. I spent countless hours in my room creating shit, from building giant robots out of Legos to crafting tech deck mega parks out of old shoe boxes. I learned to play guitar early, tinkered on piano, etc. I’d create something out of anything I could get my hands on because I would feel an overwhelming sense of melancholy without that. Eventually, I found a skateboard in my garage and fell in love with skateboarding. At that point, I gave up everything and solely focused on skating. It was like a superpower; when I skated, all my emotions would dissipate, and my thoughts would cease to exist. It was and still is complete bliss! It was just me and my skateboard against the world. After about a decade of skateboarding, when I was around 21, I realized I had hardly developed any adequate social skills and still was the same introverted child I was as an adult. I didn’t know what I was wrong, but I was wrong but happy. Skateboarding was and still is a fantastic outlet and crucial to my life, but I yearned for an outlet that would help me better understand myself and found that music was just that outlet.

Long story short, I have been into various artists, such as Mac DeMarc, Jerry Paper & Samiyam. So, I wanted to emulate their sound at the beginning of my journey. They all are known for using retro synthesizers, so I bought my elf a synth named the “Roland JX-3P,” and I created my first EP titled “Tuesday Girl.” Since then, I have been refining my craft and getting to know myself along this journey. And the way I do that, I do that. My biggest fears are “social events” and “oral reports.” So, I will push myself by going to a social event, meeting people, and experiencing life, then coming home, locking myself in my room, and creating what I felt or have learned from that experience through music. It’s more of a subconscious process, And the “Oral Report” part plays live shows. So, music is basically how I overcome what I am terrified of. Creating music has helped me experience life to the fullest. It’s the gateway to letting go and living as skateboarding does for me. The only difference is it involves overcoming a different set of fears. It’s truly a blessing to be able to do this, and I hope to inspire others to overcome their biggest fears through whatever they love to do.

Let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Your mind is the biggest struggle in creating music or anything for that matter. Remember that you are a vessel and can not control your creative flow. Creativity is like an orb gifted to you from the Universe; you must let it guide you. You must remember that your mind will try to control things, and you must let go and listen to your soul and heart because that’s where the real magic happens.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. What can you tell our readers who might need to be more familiar with what you do?
I make odd/awesome/wonky/complex music representing my feelings. I specialize in creating a place where people can be obnoxious/weird/wonky/wonderful without being in the way. When people come to a ZOO HEAD show, I invite everybody to let out their inner zoo! I create an environment of animals that are free and goofy! I want the audience to understand/feel that this human existence is extraordinary and should be treated as such. I’m known for wearing a zebra mask and driving a zebra hippie van that says ZOO HEAD. I’m proud of all that I’ve overcome. 19 years old, I wouldn’t even believe where I am now. That shit makes me wanna cry. My sound and how I dance to my music during a show sets me apart. I don’t know how to “dance” for poop, so I move & groove from the heart; it’s very odd and unique, but it’s what makes me me.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Don’t ever give up on yourself or your dreams. Treat yourself with love, and keep following your heart. I swear there is a light around the corner, but the only way to see it is by finding it right now. Find something to be grateful for. Keep going! You are a beautiful butterfly. You are so weird, and that’s sick. You are you. You will need someone to replace you. And also, the point of your life is the journey. Do what you love because, in the end, none of that other bull shit matters in the slightest. I love you and hope to meet you one day! Keep believing. – ZOO HEAD

Contact Info:

• Website: https://zoohead.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zooheadmusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2LylI3dWKbHWMo2Flg2K3Q
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/zooheadmusic

Image Credits
Lyle Sprecco LIL $AW$ Ron Close Swanny