Joshua Ketchmark “Ashes”
Joshua Ketchmark takes listeners on a journey with his guitar and storytelling. Rich and twangy sonics unveil raw emotions held inside his honest lyrics. The ghosts of the past are being released through his wrenching vocals. “Ashes” tells a story about perseverance and redemption. Unraveling in an illuminating, looming soundscape, there seems to be a lifetime of experience behind the words in “Ashes” that are left unsaid. Yet, you feel the power in them. The unresolved and the new-found realization. Ketchmark’s immersively expressive vocals speak them all with the resonators, acoustic guitar and pianos forming a collective, ringing harmony.
As tearjerking as it is classic sounding, “Ashes” reminds you of the heart of rock’n’roll meeting the soul of country music, drawing iconic phantoms such as “Rocket Man.” Despite the darkness, the lesson and the pain one carries through life, the warm sonics and the epic chorus in the song spark catharsis and freedom. You can always find a piece of yourself in the music—Ketchmark makes you feel less alone about the hardships, the regrets, the anger, and the wrongdoing while giving you the strength to keep on keeping on. Inspired by life but rising above, Ketchmark’s music is meaningful and impactful.
“Ashes” is the fifth single from Ketchmark’s full-length album, Blood. Read our interview with him below to learn more about his inspirations and the music scene in Nashville.
Punk Head: I love how you created a meaningful, epic listening experience within song form. There are a lot of thoughts that went into this song. How did everything come together? What's the biggest challenge you faced?
Joshua Ketchmark: Thank you very much for saying that. That is something I strive for with every song. “Ashes” was one of those songs that don’t come along too often, meaning, it came out in a very short period of time as a complete song that captured the emotions I wanted to convey. I think the biggest challenge for “Ashes” was getting the melody just right. But after countless attempts, I finally stumbled across one that really fit. It was haunting and melancholy, with just the right touch of hopefulness, it helped the lyrics to stretch out and feel comfortable while elevating the emotions and adding that extra layer of depth to the song. This song for me is deeply rooted in a very vivid experience that I had tried to get off of my chest for many years prior, and this time I guess the stars aligned just right to let me get out what I had to say.
Once those elements were in place the rest of the song came together relatively quickly, I was able to fine-tune the overall arrangement and it was a rewarding experience to see the song come to life. I feel really lucky to have had the players that all contributed to the sound of the song. Every one of them added a bit of their own magic to it. I hope that “Ashes” is a song that resonates with others through their own experiences as it resonates with me.
PH: What motivates you as an artist?
Ketchmark: For me, the unknown has always been a source of inspiration. I love exploring new ideas, diving into unfamiliar territories, and discovering something new about myself along the way. I've always been drawn to the creative process - whether it's writing, producing, or mixing—it allows me to dig deep and uncover parts of myself that I didn't know were there.
I'm always trying to scratch as deep under the surface as I can, to unearth something inside of me that has been trying to find its way out. It's not always an easy journey—there are times when I hit a dead end or feel lost in the dark. That feeling of discovery, of creating something out of nothing, makes it all worth it.
I think it helps me understand myself better—my strengths, my weaknesses, my passions, and my fears. It also leads me to learn and discover things in places that I would have never gone or experienced. Self-discovery and growth as a songwriter are what motivate me, I want to always be evolving, and learning more about myself and the things that I’m passionate about.
PH: How is the music scene in Nashville?
Ketchmark: These days I wouldn’t really know. I call Nashville home, yes, but I don’t get out of the studio much. I moved here from Hollywood, CA in 2013 to explore some new opportunities, but after six months here I started to miss Los Angeles something awful, and still do. I occasionally play in town, and most of the shows I do are in the surrounding states or on the west coast. One of the benefits of Nashville is that it’s centrally located and easy to tour out of.
Nashville has a rich musical history. There's live music everywhere you go - from the honky-tonks on Broadway to the coffee shops and bars in East Nashville to intimate venues like the Bluebird where songwriters are king. It’s packed with incredible musicians and songwriters, and I’ve heard some great music around town. It really makes you step up your game.
There is a lot of diversity here, and something for everyone if you know where to look. Whether you're into country, rock, blues, folk, or any other genre, there are venues and musicians that cater to your tastes.
Of course, there are also the big-name acts that come through town, playing at venues like the Ryman Auditorium or the Bridgestone Arena. I would say what I love most about Nashville is the opportunity to discover new and emerging artists. There are so many talented musicians here who are just waiting to be discovered.
PH: Who are your biggest influences?
Ketchmark: As an artist, influences and sources of inspiration have always evolved and transformed over time. I try to explore different genres, styles, and artists, discovering what speaks to me on a deeper level.
It all started with my parents’ record collection, where I first discovered Queen and the Beatles but as I grew older and began to explore the radio waves, I was introduced to the heartland rock of Bruce Springsteen, the soulful sounds of Prince, and the gritty roots rock of John Mellencamp. I soaked up everything I could of whatever music was around me.
At first, when I began to write my own songs, for years I tried to emulate the artists that I loved. But once I started to craft my own sound it was inevitable that my influences would shift again. Hearing Jason Isbell's album Southeastern truly changed the game for me, and even though he doesn’t make an appearance on “Ashes,” Sadler Vaden from Jason’s band The 400 Unit played guitar on 8 of the 12 tracks on my latest record Blood that this 5th single “Ashes” comes from.
On the other hand, producing and mixing was not something I ever saw in myself. But working in the early days of living in Los Angeles, I got to work with producers Rob Cavallo (Green Day/Goo Goo Dolls), Julian Raymond (Cheap Trick/Fleetwood Mac), Jack Joseph Puig (U2/Sheryl Crow) and Michael Beinhorn (Soul Asylum/Soundgarden) on records and releases for Melissa Etheridge, Jonny Lang and Fuel. I still draw inspiration from those days when I’m working with an artist or when I’m wearing any of those hats on one of my songs.
PH: What is the one thing that you’d like your fans to know about you?
Ketchmark: If there's one thing I'd like my fans to know about me, it's that I'm always striving to grow and evolve as an artist. I never want to get too comfortable or complacent in my creative process, so I’m always experimenting with different sounds and genres and pushing the boundaries of what I think is possible. I want them to know that every time I put out new music, they can expect something that is made up of heart and soul and that has truth in it, that I haven’t forgotten where I came from. I’ve made it a point to stay engaged with my fans, whether it's through social media, or where ever I can. I want them to feel a sense of connection and community, and to know that their support means the world to me and it’s something I never take for granted.
