Known for his soaring vocals and sexy sci-fi fashions and visuals, Josh Lumsden has just gooped us all with a brand new debut EP.
Thotyssey: Hello Josh! It’s been an exciting weekend for you: your debut EP SCION was just released and everyone’s abuzz! How amazing is it to finally have folks listening to this new music you’ve been tinkering with this whole time?
Josh Lumsden: It’s been pretty major! I’ve been working on these tracks since like forever, and it’s kind of a relief to finally have them out for everyone to experience. People listening and receiving the music has just been the cherry on top!
I would describe this collection as a sort of space age-gothy-pop-house-R&B vibe, if that’s a thing lol! One can tell that you have a lot of unique influences to your sound.
That is kind of the best description of the EP I’ve ever heard! You get it! Yeah, I kind of wanted it to be a collection of all of my favorite genres. Sonically, it’s a hot mess with no consistency… but if you’re in for the ride, then you’ll get what I’m trying to do! I thought it’d be a great introduction to who I am.
It’s perfect; there’s something for every mood! One fun single, “Energy,” features vocals from RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Yvie Oddly.
I still kind of pinch myself about it; I had been a fan of hers for years. I had a demo of “Energy,” and randomly found her email and just sent it over to her. I was grocery shopping with my partner when she responded saying she’d love to do a verse; I kind of dropped everything and showed my partner–and even the cashier, lol! I will say that she was one of the sweetest, most talented, and hardest working queens I’ve met.
You also have some great videos out for some of the singles already, specifically “Right Here” and “Wanna Have Fun.” And there’s a bunch of vibrant videos to watch from some of your previous musical outings as well! Are you very hands on with those visuals?
Not really, I have a team for that. Lol, just kidding! I direct and edit my music videos. “Right Here” and “Wanna Have Fun” were both made with just a two person crew: me directing, and a camera operator. I’ve been that girl before who’s been on set with, like, a million people with previous musical outings, and always thought “what are they doing that I can learn?” It’s very liberating having full creative control over everything, but it’s also pretty manic! I can be a little bit of a control freak. I feel visuals are a very important part of the musical experience.
I understand that you’re from Texas.
Yes, I am! I was born and raised in Austin.
And are were always musical?
I am classically trained in music; I grew up playing piano and drums. I taught myself how to sing from listening to Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, and Marina!
The masters! Did you always envision that you were gonna be making your own music, or be some form of entertainer?
I mean, kind of. I’m not gonna lie and say something about how this just “fell upon me.” I’ve had such a romantic relationship with music since I can remember, and always wanted to create art that could be appreciated. I’ve also been really intrigued with fame culture, and how musical artists can shift the landscape. It’s fascinating!
What brought you to New York?
I had visited a year before I officially moved; the vibes, the scene, the queerness, there’s everything for everybody. It’s exhilarating. I might say something a little controversial, but transplants make NYC what it is. The people who leave it all behind to move here and hit the ground running are what keeps NYC alive.
You also have these very cutting edge, futuristic sexy and fashionable looks in your videos, photo spreads and live shows. Do you work with specific designers and stylists for that look?
I typically style my own videos and shows, but I always reach out to up-and-coming designers who I’m obsessed with. Right now, I’m loving everything SKNDLSS, a Chicago / NYC designer who specializes in chain fashion, is doing right now. I’ve also recently worked with SSIK Designs, who is so huge in NYC nightlife right now. Every fashion collab has been such an honor!
So, what are the joys and challenges of being an indie music artist?
Challenges I would say is looking at the other artists and comparing “success.” It’s awful–I’m constantly telling myself “you don’t even know these people, how does this even effect you?” Everyone’s on their own journey; more power to you if you’re getting your message out there! Joys are just everything else. Creating art is just so fulfilling and exciting. Making something c*nty and gaggy is why we’re all here, right?
I got to see you perform some time ago for Thotyssey’s “Night of 5000 Thots” anniversary showcase, back when you were part of a musical trio n0t listed alongside Kayvon Zand and Leo Henry… it was a true showstopper! You three put out some great singles and videos in short time. It seems you’re all on very different paths now; could a reunion ever happen?
Those are my sisters, and I will always love them. It’s a tale as old as time; when there’s three divas, there will be three stories. We all are wanting to share our own story. Leo just put out an amazing EP, which I vocal engineered! We drank wine and [worked on] that EP of hers once a week! Kayvon is deep diving into his Iranian culture, and it’s been beautiful! I’m so happy for both of them. I think individual artistic expression is so important – I don’t know if we’ll “reunite”, but we will always love and support each other! This story is kinda boring, how funny would it be if I had a shady story about a nasty falling out!?
I’m holding out for the sequel! You just performed at Katch Astoria about a week ago, how did that go?
Omg, that show was wild. It was a Latin LBGTQIA+ party that hosted me–emphasis on the L! It was amazing, the girlies had their life, as far as I know! I have been ending my shows covered in blood; people loved taking pictures with me and rubbing it on themselves!
We love theater! I see that on June 16, you’ll be part of a great lineup for a Pride showcase at Trans-Pecos in Ridgewood: “Out the Closet.”
I am so exited for this! I have an insane set lined up. Gab Rydelle, who organized the whole thing, is an icon, and I’m honored to be a part of it. My shows feel somewhat of a fusion of live singing and performance art. I also want to shout out KITTYPOOL, an event organized by amazing people that gave me my “live music” debut. That show was amazing, which opened the doors to every show after. I’m kinda in my Lady Gaga IKEA parking lot performance era. IFKYK.
Amazing! What else is in the works?
I’ve been working on the “Waiting” music video (which will be major) as well as my new album! I will always be writing new music, lol. I hope to soon be featured in the next “Night of 1000 Thots!”
I think that can be arranged! Lastly, what are you listening to these days?
I’m listening to a lot of Grimes and Rosalia these days! Jim, how about you?
SCION! Thanks, Josh!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Josh Lumsden’s upcoming appearances, and follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Download and stream his music here.
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