Joby Fox Talks New Album, His Humanitarian Work and More
Words by Glenn Sargeant
Photo Credit: Supplied By Red Sand PR
Northern Irish singer-songwriter, musician and Humanitarian Joby Fox has released his new record ‘I Once Was A Hawk… Now I’m A Dove’. He sat down with us to tell us all about it:
Your new album ‘I Once Was A Hawk… Now I’m A Dove’ is out now. How did you want to approach the making of the album?
To put down as many live rhythm tracks as possible, and build it from there.
Where did you record the album and who produced it?
It was recorded in Hideout Studio in Aalborg with a bunch of young jazz talents. Soren Mikkelsen in Medley Studios in Copenhagen co-produced it with me.
Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
My home town is Belfast – it’s like heaven and hell.
One track on the album is entitled ‘No Home’. What is the story/inspiration behind that song?
The story behind it is that I work a lot with refugees and it struck me that the Irish are well-placed to understand the plight of the world’s refugees. It wasn’t so long ago that we were refugees ourselves, during the Irish famine in the 1840s which saw forced migration and the death of 3 million people.
Do you have any favoured stage instruments, pedals, effects?
I just love my acoustic Martin guitar. I don’t do effects. I’m just happy with that well-rounded sound it gives.
How do you look after your voice?
I don’t drink or smoke and I stay away from dairy and chocolate as they are not very conducive to a singing voice. When I practise I like to have a warm cup of ginger. And I’m smart enough to rest in between. I’ve developed a few techniques over the years.
In doing some research, I read that you also are very active in humanitarian work. What led you to work in that field alongside your music?
I don’t like suffering and I don’t like seeing people suffer. I feel compelled to play my part and contribute to try to relieve the suffering of others. There are many things that I have a political analysis of, but in the case of refugees it’s strictly humanitarian. At the end of the day, music is just music and sure it can be uplifting etc, but in this case I had to do something more tactile. Music wasn’t going to save people from drowning.
Was it a difficult album to write?
I don’t know what difficult is. For me, it’s more like a challenge and any difficulties would be seen in that light. I really enjoy the challenge.
What makes Joby Fox happy and what makes you unhappy?
What makes me happy is that I feel that there’s been a certain continuity in the work that I’ve done as an artist over the years. And I’m happy that I have a sense of purpose. And I’m happy as a father and as a partner. Suffering makes me unhappy.
Photo Credit: Photo Supplied By Red Sand PR
Joby Fox’s latest album ‘I Once Was A Hawk… Now I’m A Dove’ is out now.
For more information and to purchase the album visit his official website here: https://www.jobyfox.com/
