By Libby Cultra

Photos by Ben Parker (@benjaminxparker)

Joey Psycho is one artist you need to watch. This self-made NYC musician creates charming music that captures the complex emotions of being a young adult. His latest single, “Lucky Cigarette” is wonderfully upbeat and showcases his low-fi sound. Not to mention, all of his music is produced and recorded by him. His first two releases, “Freeze” and “Mr. Fantastic”, are definitely worth the listen. Represented by the Brooklyn-based Infinite Youth Collective, Joey Psycho is ready to make his mark on the music world. We decided to catch up with him and see what he’s been working on.

What are your goals for this new year?

In 2019 after a few years of playing around with the music production software, Ableton, I finally made a handful of songs I knew were good enough to release. For 2020, if “good enough to release” was the first step forward, this will be the next one – I’m going to make a name for myself this year through music. My other goals include self-growth.

As an emerging artist, how do you plan to stand out from the crowd?

I don’t really have any complex marketing scheme to stand out from others. I’ll stand out from the crowd first and foremost with the music I’m making. My focus isn’t trendy sounds or appealing to certain waves, but just to express myself through music in the most authentic way I can. If I’m successful in that regard, then I know I will stand out. Also, with some silly antics, you better stay on your toes because who knows what might happen.

So, you moved from the Bay Area to NYC to attend New York University. How has your experience in the city influenced your musical style? What advantages do you feel New York has over the Bay Area?

I moved to the city from the Bay, and honestly, when it comes to networking in the music scene the Bay doesn’t compare, so there’s that advantage.

That being said, NYC also has a way of chewing people up and spitting them out. I’ve seen it done to others and I’ve experienced it in many ways myself. Those feelings definitely come through in what I make, so you could say NYC influenced my music in that way. On a more positive note, being here exposed me to so many amazing artists and that definitely played a huge/the biggest role in the development of my sound as well.

What made you choose music?

I’ll tell you a little something, often times in my mind, it feels like life is happening to me, like I'm in the passenger seat or something. I don’t feel like I chose music, I feel like music happened to me and thank God for that. Every time I make something I’m proud of, I thank God for that. Also, I was the lead role of Oliver Twist in the Oakland Hebrew Day School production of Oliver! and I’m pretty sure from that point on it was written in stone. Call it fate, call it karma.

What is the hardest part of the music-making process for you?

The hardest part of the music making process for me is my own work ethic. It definitely needs improvement.

Where did the name Joey Psycho come from?

I’ve had trouble answering this question in the past, so let’s see how I do this time around. Sometimes I feel like I don’t even know who I am. Am I a serious guy? Do I take things/myself/the world seriously?? Or am I a laid back, go with the flow kind of guy?? Am I the studious kid who left home to go to the prestigious school and study economics or am I the irresponsible stoner that dropped out before his last semester because he couldn’t get his life together? Ultimately, I know that I’m all of these things. I think at some point everybody experiences both extremes of their own character, but I think I spend more time confused/feeling crazy because of that relative to most people. Also, at the time I was making the first tracks that I would later release under the name Joey Psycho, I was watching this dope anime called Mob Psycho 100. I mean really amazing stuff.

What music have you been listening to lately?

I’ve had the Strokes entire discography on repeat for the last few months. That’s my favorite band in the world right there. Also, most of Mac DeMarco’s stuff. Honorable mentions to King Krule, Richard Hell, Crumb, the Beatles and the Arctic Monkeys.

Now going into your latest single, "Lucky Cigarette," what inspired you to write it?

Lucky Cigarette was inspired by the feeling of first meeting some of my closest friends in college. The whole dynamic between someone and their group of friends can be suspect to extreme change over time, but it’s important to remember where it all began, am I right?

Listen to "Lucky Cigarette"

How does it compare to your other singles, "Freeze," and "Mr. Fantastic?"

“Freeze” and “Mr. Fantastic” are completely about myself and my own inner dialogue.

What direction do you see your music going in?

I see my music getting richer and more complex as I develop my technical skills as a musician while lyrically gaining more depth as a writer. Also, the pictures I’m able to paint for the people listening. I know beyond any doubt that if I continue to grow in these ways, I will make music that leaves a dent in the world of music and perhaps even the world itself. Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

If you want to keep up with Joey Psycho, follow him on Instagram @joeypsycho. Keep up with other artists represented by Infinite Youth Collective at infiniteyouthmusic.com.

An Interview with Joey Psycho on "Lucky Cigarette"