We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Josh Blaines. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Josh below.
Josh, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?
My whole life I’ve ALWAYS felt, “misunderstood.” Since a young age, I’ve known that music was my calling, but SO MANY times I’ve had to prove to the world (and myself) just how passionate I was about it.. From being the only student in my graduating class (2011) to write/perform his/her own song as their Senior Project to being the only white rapper actually making noise in my area in South Bossier City, LA.. Misunderstood is an understatement for someone like me.. My life has brought me many battles internally as well as externally that I’ve had to overcome! I paint that on a canvas for you to see.. THE GOOD AND BAD even the ugly..
Josh, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Born Matthew T. Montgomery, I adopted the stage name, “Josh Blaines” in 2020. Given to me from my best friend at the time before moving to Jacksonville, FL summer of 2016. It wasn’t until Fall of 2020 when I reinvented myself & choose that name moving forward.
I ‘m a musician from Shreveport/Bossier, Louisiana. It’s my full-time job to make music for ME & others like myself. Songs of mine like “Rainy Dayz” give u an inside perspective of what life’s like as a struggling 26 year old living on the Southside of Jax.. Daily struggles of outgrowing lifelong friendships; feeling alienated from the world as a whole. LOST as u drive around hoping to clear your head; feeling hopeless because everything u see around u looks hopeless.
A fan favorite of mine, “Stylin’ Without A Stylist” embodies having fun & feeling good about yourself ;) EVERYONE deserves to feel good!! Don’t believe me? Watch the video.. WE HAD A BLAST MAKING IT!!!
I’ve delt w/ so much in my 31 years of life.. It’s made me unapologetic. For anyone who stumbles across my music, please know that there’s a piece of me INSIDE OF YOU!! Hopefully THE WORLD can feel my passion. Feel my love for something. Feel ostracized for loving it SO MUCH it irritates others.. I don’t care! I do this for me.. My fans.. End of story.
I’m proud God has allowed me to make it this far!! Without him, I’m NOTHING!!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I get to wake up EVERYDAY I live out my dreams! I get the opportunity to authentically be myself! There’s no greater feeling/job than creating! I love it ;)
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I’ve recently learned to QUIT wasting time/effort on people who DON’T WANT IT as much as I DO!!! To QUIT giving people 1,000,000,000 chances. I’ve wasted countless time, effort and money on others. Others who weren’t ALL IN like I was. Stuck my neck out for people who ended up robbing me for my studio equipment. Did free features w/ artists who had me waiting 2 months for NOTHING back in return!!! I quit putting others FIRST and put myself FIRST!! No more sitting on the back burner..
I live everyday ME VS. WHOEVER WANNA LOSE!! I’ve endured tooooo much to not feel that way!!!
Putting myself FIRST has allowed God to truly shed his light on me!! I was blocking his blessings when I had a “full house.” I had to learn how to love myself & let go of some distractions.. I learned to put myself FIRST!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/josh-blaines/1746802093
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshblaines/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamjoshblaines/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@joshblaines
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/joshblaines
- Other: TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@joshblaines
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/album/1ZdgMDIOj0tQTBIVcto1Zi
Image Credits
Kseniya Wagner
Felix Graner