Josh Hicks Talks Single, His Voice And More

Aug 16, 2025 | Interviews

Words by Glenn Sargeant

Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By WMA Agency

Written as a tribute to the people who inspire him most, ‘Eyes On You’ blends Josh Hicks’ signature jazz-soul sound with a more mature and forward-looking energy. We spoke to him about the track, his voice and more:

When did you begin singing/songwriting?

I just assumed singing was something everyone could do naturally – like breathing or
knowing all the words to ‘Heal The World’ by Michael Jackson at seven years old. It
never felt like a big talent to me; it was just there, and I took that for granted until I got
older. My nan highlighted this to me when I was little – that’s when I clocked maybe
something was there; felt like my own little superpower at the time.

I began recording covers to YouTube aged 11 years, but the songwriting came later –
19, whilst studying music degree at The Academy of Contemporary Music. I met a voice
coach who suggested I get notepad and write my own songs. Being dyslexic, I never
thought writing would be a thing, even though I always loved making up stories and
acting them out with my cousins.

What is your earliest musical memory?

I grew up listening to so much music, not because I was from a musical family but
because music was always in my home. Being in the garage with my dad listening to
‘Radio GaGa’ or in the car with my mum hearing Michael Jackson for the first time. I
think my parents realised that I was obsessed with music and they encouraged that!

You have your new single ‘Eyes On You’ out now. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

Eyes On You is written as a tribute, really — to the people who inspire me, and to those
I love who are doing well in life. I started writing it in March 2024 after a quiet moment of
reflection. I’d just seen my cousin play football and score and, heard about my sister’s
progress on her nursing degree.

I came away from both feeling proud in a quiet, grounding way — and I wanted to capture that. The kind of
pride you don’t always know how to say out loud. At its core, the song is a celebration of people who keep showing up, even when they don’t realise how inspiring they are. It’s a quiet thank you. A reminder that someone’s paying attention. A celebration. It’s me saying: I see you. I’ve always got my eyes on you — in the best way.

It’s not necessarily romantic, it’s more about presence. About watching someone thrive
and knowing they still hold a space in your heart, even if you’re not standing right beside
them. It’s a little nostalgic, a little soulful, and probably one of the most relatable songs
to date.

Where did you record the single and who produced it?

Eyes On You was produced by Aston Rudi (Olivia Dean, Mahalia, Ella Eyre) in his
London studio. He brought such a grounded, soulful energy to the track – knows how to
shape a song without taking away from the emotional heart.

Aston recommended Cardiff based mix and mastering engineer Sam Brown and as
you’ll hear he gave it that final polish and saturation without losing its warmth. Great
team!

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

My dad came to the studio one session. He popped out and came back with a bag full
of pastries – we’d got so engrossed in the session we’d forgotten to eat!

We finished the track on St Patrick’s Day – and we celebrated with a Guinness.

Was it a difficult song to write?

No, not really. I already had an idea for the song – pride and joy. Second half we called
in another songwriter, AnderSol and we all agreed on the idea of call and response. It
just flowed really well between the three of us.

Do you have any plans to release a visualiser to accompany the single?

Yes, my visualiser is already on social media and the video that accompanies it is on
YouTube. It was recorded in Savoy Theatre, Tonyrefail by Trigger Happy Creative earlier
this year. I didn’t think about the release date, summertime, when I chose my outfit – you
have me wearing a roll neck in the video and steam coming out my mouth, it was so
cold in there. It’s all part of the learning, right!

Which of your tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

Happiest: EYE ON YOU – it has that warmth and lightness that feels very genuine. A
real energy track
that reflects the joy felt when you see someone overcome barriers and being to shine

Angriest: Self Seeking (The Highest Order Of Selfishness) – not in a bold rage anger
but, more quiet self-contained anger, the type that simmers, the type that exposes emotional injustice.

Reflective: HONEST is the most reflective track I’ve released. I have another in the
pipeline – working title: Love Is A Numbing Thing, about being hurt in love repeatedly
and then it becomes ok because you have become numb to it.

Do you have any further music releases planned for 2025?

I may have one, but I keep toying with the idea of bringing it out as I’m not sure I’m 100% happy with the sound of it… maybe I’ve listened to it too much! I definitely need to get back into the studio to get writing but I need to find producers I want to work with and producers who want to work with me.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

Funny enough I’ve always been fascinated by tube microphones. I love that warmth. For
me it gives a nostalgic vibe to vocals. For now though, I’ll stick with my condenser
microphones. As for instruments I’ve always liked the emotion in violins or any stringed
instruments. Percussion wise, bongos, I just feel they add a nice human layer to the mix
and sound so moving- emotionally and physically.

How do you look after your voice?

I warm up before I sing – vocal exercises and try to hydrate. I tend not to drink alcohol
the night before singing and before I sing I will drink herbal tea – lemon and ginger or
throat coat. I steam after the performance or next day.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

Newport, South Wales. Albeit I grew up in Chepstow when I was younger and still have
links there with family and friends.

Five words: Gritty, Loyal, Low-Key, Evolving, Defiant.

Do you have any live dates in the UK/Europe planned for 2025/2026?

I will be making my debut in Oxford in August 2025 with Virgo Events. I performed for
VE in Cardiff last year, so I was honoured to be asked to work with them again. I have
other dates in my diary for the rest of 2025, locally and plans for 2026 to submit later
this year.

What makes Josh Hicks happy and what makes you unhappy?

My music doing well makes me very happy – I love it when audiences enjoy my music,
movies, theatre performances, friends and family… Feeling ignored makes me unhappy
– people not making me a priority when I make them mine. The list could go on but I try
not to be so grayscale in a world full of colour!