With temperatures outside soaring beyond 30°C, Josh Island welcomes us into his rehearsal space, which is a cool, rustic barn in Bertrange. The air inside is crisp, carrying a subtle scent of hay, which creates a perfect environment for preparing the many concerts he has lined up this season.
As Josh explains, music can often be a "seasonal profession", and this summer in particular is a busy one: following the release of his second album in March, he is set to perform at numerous live shows across Luxembourg and beyond.
Josh Island, now 28, feels most at home on stage, which is also where he marked the beginning of his musical journey. Born Josh Oudendijk, he moved to Luxembourg with his Dutch family at the age of 10.
His debut performance came at the Rockhal during the Screaming Fields competition, an initiative by Rocklab designed to give young musicians a foothold in the industry. The competition has helped launch the careers of artists such as Eva Marija, Francis of Delirium, Tuys, and C'est Karma and remains an important stepping stone for emerging artists to this day.
Josh vividly recalls his first appearance: "My first gig was quite funny. It was at the Rockhal Club in June 2015, and the running order was entirely random. My name was drawn between two metal bands, and there I was, a solo folk artist".
But, in a way, that contrast made his performance stand out: That night, Josh made numerous connections and soon found himself winning awards, which led to further festival invitations the following summer.
Despite how serendipitous his start may sound, Josh is quick to point out that success in music requires far more than luck or talent. “If you want to make a name for yourself, you have to put in the work", he says. Early dreams of launching a global tour in his early twenties gave way to the realisation that the industry demands much more than just making good music. As a solo artist at the outset of his career, Josh was responsible for everything, from building his fan base to organising concerts both at home and abroad.
"At the beginning, I struggled to sell even 20 tickets to my own shows, even in Luxembourg. That is when I started acting as my own agent", Josh recalls. He began seeking out venues abroad, piecing together his own small tours. "I still do not have an agent in Germany, but I have managed to build an audience in every city I have played." He has come to realise that "performing live, even in this digital age, is still incredibly important, as it is the only way to turn people into real fans".
Music has now become Josh's full-time occupation. However, beyond performing and creating new songs, a significant portion of his time is spent on administrative tasks. To improve recognition for the full spectrum of work artists do in Luxembourg, the recently founded Fédération des Musicien(ne)s Interprètes au Luxembourg (FAMIL) is advocating on their behalf, which Josh is actively involved with.
Josh finds that there is considerable cultural support in Luxembourg, but living solely from music remains a challenge. FAMIL is currently working on developing a standardised fee scale to better reflect the true value of a performance by drawing comparisons with other countries.
"It is fascinating to see that the actual value is much higher than what we, as artists, estimate – and certainly higher than what many venues or festival organisers are willing to pay. Perhaps we are shooting ourselves in the foot by underestimating our worth", Josh admits. The difficulty many artists have in assigning a price to their work makes it hard to achieve a stable income and avoid earning below minimum wage.
While financial insecurity is an all-too-common reality, few careers offer the same wealth of experiences. Supporting acts for James Morrison and Katie Melua at the Rockhal rank among Josh's highlights, alongside festival appearances in Turkey and Cyprus. He spent extensive time in Greece while working on his latest album, which is a period that is reflected in his song Artemis. The artist has also recorded in Lisbon and collaborated with musicians who have worked with celebrated Cape Verdean singer-songwriter Sara Tavares. "During that time, I listened to a lot of world music and Fado. Working with these musicians was an incredible experience."
Different from the melancholy found in Fado, Josh's music is defined by optimism. "I sing about feeling overwhelmed, about my personal challenges, but there is always a positive outlook. It is about motivation, self-belief, and courage. My inspiration comes from travelling, meeting new people, and the search for belonging. I want to broaden people’s perspectives through my music and share a sense of courage with them. These are the themes I try to bring into my songs", he reflects.
Writing, arranging, recording, and releasing his second album Imaginary Borders took nearly two years of dedicated work. Now, alongside a busy summer schedule that includes appearances at events such as the Fête de la Musique, Josh is also looking forward to taking some time to relax and recharge his creativity. "After this second album, I think I can finally allow myself to take a breather", he says.
Ultimately, Josh Island cannot imagine pursuing any other path. "There is an urge, a drive. I think I have found my place, even if things are difficult at times."
