Joanna Forestlike is an indie-folk duo from Indiana made up of lifelong friends Jared Myers (Daytime Volume) and Joshua Wayne Hensley (The Rutabega).
What sparked your interest in pursuing a career in music initially? Was there a specific moment or experience that fueled your passion?
There was a spark the first time we played music together, and even though what we were doing was different it felt complimentary. We’re not really focused on pursuing this as a career, we just want to keep making music that we’re exited about.
Could you characterize your musical style and the genre(s) you associate with? Are there specific artists or musicians who have played a significant role in shaping your sound?
The foundation of these songs has been acoustic instruments, so the folk tag is fitting. We bring in whatever elements feel right for the song though, so we aren’t strict traditionalists. We’ve seen indie-folk and soft psych used as descriptors. When we were younger we felt in some ways that we had to hide behind a lot of noise, but bands like Innocence Mission and Kings of Convenience reminded us how powerful a simple well-written song can be. Quiet is the new loud, maybe now more than ever.
Share with us the inspiration behind your most recent single. What triggered the creative process for this specific piece?
We were just excited to be making music together again after several years of focusing on other projects and pursuits. It felt like we were capturing sounds in a way that we’ve always wanted to.
In what way do you anticipate your latest song resonating with your existing fan base and attracting new listeners? What message or emotions do you aim for listeners to glean from the song?
Our hope is that ‘Sinking Stone’ will feel like a chance for people to catch their breath and take a break from the noise and information overload of this modern life.
How does this track contribute to the overarching narrative or theme of your upcoming album or project?
We didn’t really approach the album with a theme, more just working to present the songs in a way that felt right to us. ‘Sinking Stone’ feels very representative of the album and highlights our harmonies which is the core of what we do.
Maintaining creativity and motivation can be challenging. Do you have any rituals or habits that you find instrumental in sustaining your artistic drive?
Since we both have been writing a lot that has helped us stay engaged.
Do you have any upcoming projects or releases that you’re particularly enthusiastic about? Can you offer any teasers or details?
We have well over an album’s worth of new songs ready to go and we are making plans to start recording this spring. We’re hoping to do more of the initial tracking live this round.
Thank you for your time and interest.
