A new year means there are lots of new and exciting shows, music, albums, comedy and much around the corner and we have an exciting month for you! In true Phoenix Remix tradition we are chatting to lots of different acts all about what they have in store for 2022. Today we talk to the Josie Pace about music, new albums and tours.

Hello Josie tell us all about yourself?

Honestly, I always have a hard time telling people about myself for some reason. I never know what to say or what people want to know about me.

I am an electronic rock artist from Michigan. I have been playing the guitar for 15 years and I’ve been singing ever since I could talk. I’ve always known that I would have a career in music but I have a lot of other interests as well. Fashion, makeup, photography, art and anime. I also have quite an extensive collection of plushies. 

I have 3 siblings, an older sister, a younger brother and younger sister. My family means a lot to me and they are very involved and supportive of my music. 

I grew up listening to a lot of classic rock, The Eagles, REO Speedwagon, Styx, Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, Prince, Queen, whatever my parents listened to in the car. I still love listening to all of those bands and I feel like that music really helped shape the way that I write. 

How did you get into music?

I have been into music ever since I can remember. Growing up my father sang in church every Sunday in a group called The Crimson Quartet and he also played the bass guitar. My mother was ALWAYS singing Prince songs or singing and dancing to Tina Turner’s “Rolling on the River”. Ever since I was young I was singing and bugging the other kids on the playground. I specifically remember singing on the swing set and the kid next to me yelled “ CAN YOU PLEASE STOP SINGING???”. I actually think about that a lot because little me was unfazed! It never bothered me because I always knew I would be a musician. I felt it was my calling for sure. I started taking guitar lessons after I received my first guitar on christmas when I was 12. I was in every choir class I could take and I started writing songs very young. My family has always been my biggest support system and my biggest inspiration.

What have been your favourite songs you have released?

This is such a tough question for me because I get so attached to each song that I write. Even the ones that get scrapped and aren’t released. We always joke about them being my babies. All of my songs come from a place of therapy for me. Writing has always been an outlet for me to work through tough times. Right now I think that my favorite is a song called “Vicious” (being released on the IV0X10V5 album). I wrote it for my very close friend who had recently passed in a car accident. The whole process of writing it was both difficult and comforting. It was hard sitting in my grief but thinking about all of the good times we had together was comforting.

I know everyone goes through grief and hard times so I prefer writing about those things to help comfort the listener and show them that they aren’t alone in all this crazy mess of life.

What are your plans for 2022?

I am releasing my first album on February 4th of 2022 on Negative Gain Productions. It will be available for digital download, on CD and also on vinyl. I am also releasing music videos for almost every song on the album so those will be released periodically in 2022 as well. We are having 2 album release shows, one in Los Angeles at Bar Sinister on Feb. 12th and one in Detroit at Smalls. After the album is released we are planning on touring the US if Covid allows and I am already starting to write my second album. 

Tell us about the album you are releasing this year?

I am so excited to be releasing my first album on Negative Gain Productions. The album is titled, IV0X10V5, which is Noxious in what is called “leet speak”. The album has been 5 years in the making but me and my team are so proud of what we have created. I think this album is really about self examination and strength in one’s own emotions. Each song on the album holds a very special place in my heart. I write all of my songs from a place of therapy so they are all very important to me.  Over the lockdown we had time to film a music video for almost every song on the album so we have started releasing those along with the singles and we will be releasing more after the album is released as well!

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing perform online or in person to this year?

I am very excited to see my amazing friend Sammi Doll perform with Kat Von D in Detroit this year at St. Andrews Hall. But I think I am most excited to share the stage with other bands this year, finally getting to tour after such a long wait. Playing live is one of, if not my most, favorite part of the music process. I love meeting new fans and putting everything on the stage for them. The high I get from being on stage performing is unmatched and almost indescribable.

What styles do you hope to see more of in music this year?

I am hoping that people get more into the lyrics. I think that a lot of people forget how important intelligent lyrics are. I want people to be challenged with music and learn from it. I am also hoping to see people take inspiration from other bands but make it their own, build on it. Don’t just do the same exact thing. I feel like nowadays people are doing a lot of the same things lyrically and musically.

What show is your ones to watch in 2022 and why?

I am so excited to be back at Bar Sinister in LA this February. We always pack the house there and the energy is absolutely incredible. But I am also excited to be playing back at Smalls in Detroit, the intimate venues are something else for sure, I can see all of the fans in the audience from the stage and it brings a whole different vibe to the show.

Do you have any new years resolutions? If so what are they?

I do! I would like to read more in the coming year and I would also love to learn sign language. Those are my fairly normal resolutions. Of course I’d always love to eat better, take care of my body better, the usual. But I think that just diving deeper into music is one of my big resolutions. Get on tour, make a big mark on music history, try to be there for people who turn to music for comfort.

Are you on social media? If so how can people find out more about you?

I am on social media! If you go to WWW.JOSIEPACE.COM all of my social media links are there! Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, even Bandcamp and my Patreon. 

Three words why people should come and see you this year?

Raw, unique, emotional. 

 QUICK FIRE ROUND

The movie or television show you are looking forward to seeing this year?

I am always excited for any Marvel movies, so Morbius and Spider Man No Way Home. 

Your favourite book?

I really enjoy Hamlet or anything from Shakespeare really. I love reading psychology textbooks when trying to write songs. They give a lot of inspiration and I find them very interesting. But I also enjoy reading my Deadpool Comics as well.

If you could paint anything what would you paint? 

I am not the best at painting but I would love to try my hand at portraits, though they might be a bit more abstract than I would like.

What is the most delightful word you can think of?

Hmm, that is definitely a question I’ve never been asked. I’d have to say “délicieuse”. I say it a lot while cooking even though I’m not the best. I love joking around and saying silly things to make myself laugh. But it is a nice word and it really rolls off the tongue.

Favourite album?

I think my favorite album right now would have to be Royal Blood’s self titled album. I remember hearing their single “Little Monster” and I went out and bought the album. I listened through it and loved every song. By far one of my favorite bands. 

Where would you love to go on holiday this year?

I really love relaxing on a beach or by a pool. Just being outside is nice for me. But if I had to pick a place I’ve never been, I’d love to go to Greece at some point in my life. It always looks so beautiful.

What is your favourite quote from a television show?

Oh gosh, well I quote Jake the Dog from the show “Adventure Time” a lot to myself when things don’t go exactly as I planned them to. He says “Dude, sucking at something is the first step towards being sorta good at something.” 

Who is your favourite film character and why?

My favorite film character, I’d have to say one that stuck with me is Imperator Furiosa from Mad Max: Fury Road. She is the epitome of feminine strength. Since first watching it I was impacted by the character and I think that she is an amazing role model for everyone.