Musician Plans EP in Home Studio

Josh Branton, lifelong Georgia resident, wants to evoke his audience's feelings with his music. To do so, he is always striving to improve both the depth of his vocals and the complexity of his guitar playing. A mostly self-taught guitarist, Branton's songwriting method usually involves a coffeeshop and his own experiences.

“I usually just go up to a coffeeshop, think about what's been going on in my life and start writing. And out comes a song. I was told one time that an awful breakup always results in an incredible song,” Branton said.

Coffee shops seem to be the hub for Branton's music; he both writes and plays his songs in various shops around town. He recently played at  and said it was a great experience.

“There were loads of people there and from the moment the first song started, I knew it was going to be a good show,” he said.

Branton lives to play live, and enjoys spreading his music around. Though most are put off by the anxiety experienced before a performance, Branton embraces the sensation.

“I love playing live, just because it gives me a chance to share my music with others, and there's something about pre-show nerves that I love.”

Sometimes he uses covers to engage listeners who would otherwise be inattentive to original songs. His covers include bands that are on his personal playlists such as Bright Eyes and Mumford & Sons as well as more popular songs.

His originals are meant to inspire emotional responses from his audience as well as provide an enjoyable sound. Out of Branton's 15 or so originals, he loves his more recent ones most.

“I think some of the most recent songs I've written are my favorite, because I feel like I'm finally getting into the niche of the sound I want,” Branton explained.

Branton said his own sound includes elements of folk and acoustic music. He also said he tries to pull the intense emotion from metal music and use it in his own way.

“My musical style is best described as a hardcore band member's acoustic side project.”

In his home studio, Branton is working on a new EP titled “Remedies for Memories” that will be available soon. He said he enjoys living near the newly formed downtown atmosphere in Woodstock.

“I love Woodstock, it's easy to get just about anywhere, and I love the people here. The people you know make the place what it is,” he said.