Joseph Tilley
Photo credit: Zach Leung
LA-based singer/songwriter/producer Joseph Tilley released his latest single “Communicate” on December 11th.
Co-produced with Noah Brooks, the catchy pop/r&b single is about expressing how we really feel in relationships.
“I have found it to be true that communication is a huge part of healthy relationships,” says Tilley.
As a songwriter and producer, the Central Arkansas native artist has amassed over 11 million streams for his work with indie-pop artist Emilee and landed his first #1 album in Asia for his writing and production on Will Pan's "Mr. R&Beats" album. Tilley recently produced tracks for artists like Emily Vaughn, Meg Smith and Emilee Flood.
With a bright future ahead, Tilley continues to develop his craft as a songwriter and producer while releasing unique pop records.
“Communicate” is now available worldwide.
Photo credit: Zach Leung
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
My name is Joseph Tilley. I am an artist, a producer, and a songwriter. I come from a small town in Central Arkansas. I have been in love with music and the way it makes me feel since my middle school days, but being an artist and making my own music seemed so far fetched until I met a mentor named Alan Thomas in 2016. He really showed me it was achievable for anyone who was willing to put in the work. Over the next year, after leaving a cover band that didn’t work out, I taught myself to produce while in my last couple of years in high school. Being from a small town with no other collaborators to work with, my mentality was just “if I can’t work on anyone else’s music, I will just sing the songs and release them under my own name!” And this is where the project got its start. I have been growing as a person, a believer, and a musician ever since, and I am so thankful for every part of the journey I have been on.
How would you define Joseph Tilley, the artist?
Joseph Tilley, the artist, is a pop/rnb/indie-pop inspired artist.
"Communicate" is your new single - what's the story/inspiration behind this single?
When I first started working on the song, it was based on the feeling everyone can relate to, knowing you both are into each other, but no one is saying the obvious. The other person may be playing games or trying to avoid their emotions, and you’re just trying to get on the same page. I think that there is value in songs about healthy relationships, and as I grew in my personal life, I have found it to be true that communication is a huge part of healthy relationships.
Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this particular single? Who helped you create it?
I wrote this song over a year ago with my friend Noah Brooks. We went to high school together and have since reconnected, and this was one of our first sessions writing together. I started with the synth pad that you hear from the beginning. Then we added the snaps and built out the drums in the chorus, which was huge, making the song feel a lot bigger than the verses. So we added guitar, the synth Harps, and decided it would sound sick to take out most of the dreamy over the top production and for the chorus to have it just be vocals, bass, drums, and the arp you hear as well. The production of the first half of the chorus is more hip hop influenced, while the back half switches to a four on the floor dance-type feel where the production really takes you to a new place. The lyrics also flip the perspective at the same time. I love this song because it has a journey through the sections that help pull emotion out of each melody that you wouldn’t get with the topline alone.
What did you feel when writing it?
I will be honest; I didn’t really love it yet. I knew the melody was great, but I wasn’t sold on the first verse and pre-chorus lyrics that we had written. I knew the chorus was special. I wrote the second verse alone at a later date, and it was written about my fiance in particular. It was a really addictive feeling writing about her for the first time when we first started dating. Adding lyrics that were vulnerable and relatable to us at the time. That was special.
What do you like the most about this song?
I love the chorus melody the most, as well as the production in the chorus. Mostly the chorus melody.
What made you want to release "Communicate" as a single?
I think I wanted it to be a single because I am confident it is good enough to stand as its own piece of work and stand the test of time. Also, I love the chorus melody. Did I mention that already?
What can you tell us about the artwork?
The artwork was shot in Bombay Beach, California, a few hours from LA by Zach Leung. I really love when photos convey motion, so this was a shot I wanted to get, jumping over the camera. Zach is incredible, and we shot everything on film for this run of singles.
Why do you make music? What keeps you going?
The older and more mature I become, the more substance I want in my lyrics. I really would love to show people that real, healthy, and true love exists and is attainable. I think a lot of today’s music is about all the bad stuff that comes from relationships, which is important to share as well, but I think there is room to improve on our share of songs that have a promising message supporting the healthy relationships behind them. The people I spend time with and get to build relationships with mean the most to me.
What's the hardest part about being an artist? And what is the best part?
I think the hardest part for me has to be comparing myself to others. You get to see and celebrate your friends' successes and see this tour and this placement and that person’s playlist numbers, and it’s hard not to compare that to where you are. But at the end of the day, you are unique and on your own patient journey as an artist, and that is a beautiful thing to embrace.
The best part is being able to encourage and inspire people while doing something that makes me so happy. Music is one of my biggest sources of inspiration, so the opportunity to give that to others is so special.
What do you think of today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
I think we are in such a unique time, where there is so much content being pushed from every angle by everyone, and that can be intimidating. At the same time, it’s never been easier to be a producer or artist releasing your own music independently, which I love, but it comes with its own challenges. I do think we are at a cool turning point where songwriters, producers, and artists are moving to take back the power of the industry rather than the execs having it.
This is a hard one! With every industry, there are so many broken pieces and injustices that need and deserve attention. I would probably start with changing the amount that Spotify pays artists and writers per stream.
What do you want to accomplish professionally and personally?
Professionally I am always just aiming to grow consistently no matter what. I would love to be financially comfortable and support my family with the music I make, and I will be a happy man. My ambitious goals, though, are working with Justin Bieber, Charlie Puth, Ariana Grande, getting to 1 billion collective streams, and headlining an arena tour.
Personally, I am growing into the person I am called to be, the best husband I can be to my fiancé, and the best friend I can be to the people around me.
What major life lesson have you learned this year?
Dating the love of my life and getting engaged during a pandemic was interestingly beautiful, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Through it, I really have learned the beauty in committing to someone for life and how special that can be, to share a love with someone you care so deeply for.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
More selfless people.
What message do you want to give to the world?
You are enough exactly how you are, and Jesus loves you right where you are.
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