‘Indietronica’ Artist Josaleigh Pollett Speaks Up About Her Contemplative New Album, ‘If I Let It Quiet’
If you’re a fan of electronic indie-pop – or heartfelt, folk-spirited music in general – and you aren’t familiar with Josaleigh Pollett, you’re missing out. The Salt Lake City musician stands out in the sprawling singer/songwriter community due to her musical talent, thoughtfulness, and penchant for learning. Don’t believe us? St. Vincent, Torres, Deep Sea Diver and DeVotchKa – with whom she has shared bills – would back up our backing of Pollett.
Pollett’s new album, the exquisitely named (and performed) If I Let It Quiet, features four singles – “Radio Player,” “The Witness,” “Like a River” and “Bed of Quiet” – and came out in late July. We caught up with the artist shortly before its release and, due quite frankly to our own flakiness, are finally delivering the lovely conversation we had with the artist today.
(Note: Pollett had performances planned for October 15 at Seeker Coffee in Old Ford, North Carolina; and the following day at The Hideaway in Johnson City, Tennessee.)
Congrats on the recent release of If I Let It Quiet. The title seems like the indie-pop equivalent of Queens of the Stone Age’s Songs for the Deaf. You probably want to let listeners interpret what the phrase “if I let it quiet” means. That said, does it imply at least a metaphorical, if not literal, sanctuary magically appearing when we turn off our devices?
Thank you so much! I’m so deeply excited to [be] promoting it and talking about it, as it’s been a two-year long endeavor to create! Love the Queens of the Stone Age reference, too. I definitely think the title is up for interpretation, but I do think your read on it is accurate – whether it’s social media, cities, substances, work or other things, there are so many ways we put the noise of everyday life in between knowing ourselves and the people around us better. The album is about distance – both geographical, but also metaphorical. I was thinking a lot about how letting things stay noisy can really distance you from knowing yourself and connecting with others.
What was your initial vision for If I Let It Quiet, how did the record evolve during the writing and production stages, and was the end result pretty much in line with what you thought it would turn out to be?
So my collaborator Jordan Watko [aka Crowd Shy, who also produced the album] had moved away from SLC to Japan in early 2024 before we really intentionally started writing the record. We’d been collaborating as friends and creative partners for several years in the same city and the move was a really big change to adjust to. When we started working on the record remotely, it became clear that whatever it was about, we would have to be open to it being a very explorative and new process to us.
At first, that was really the only theme: “Let it be different” But after a while, it became clear that the act of learning this new way of connecting and staying close as friends was becoming the theme in this record. So much of it lyrically is me exploring my own feelings about the move and the big change, and production wise, it was Jordan exploring a lot of found sounds that made us feel more close to each other. It ended up being much more of a meta-themed album than originally anticipated. What originally was intended to be the output of the change in our friendship ended up being the act of changing it ourselves, and I feel like it’s represented more beautifully than I ever could have intended, because it’s real, and it’s us – figuring out a way to love each other and create in an entirely unknown and new space.
Do you ever get nervous playing new songs in concert for the first time, or is it actually less stressful because audiences know the album versions of the songs and perhaps you want to re-create them as accurately as possible?
I think because I tend to really appreciate a live performance in an entirely different way than I do an album version of a song, I get less nervous about trying to recreate something exactly. Especially because the way that Jordan and I create our album songs is always going to be pretty drastically different than how we will play them live. It can sometimes feel a little nerve-wracking, but ultimately because it’s creating something entirely new. I tend to like something better if I allow it to be a new and different thing than trying to recreate something entirely. Thankfully because I’m a smaller artist, people that love my music tend to be pretty new to it and hopefully are more open to connecting with a new, live version in a different but still nice way than the album version.
How did the concert in your hometown of Salt Lake City go? Were there any hiccups, especially considering it was your first time playing some new songs with the rest of your band after you created them remotely, if I’m understanding your press materials correctly?
It was a dream, thanks so much for asking! I got to hang out with the incredible touring acts, Robb MacLean and Seth Anderson. Robb was in Limbeck, which was a band I was absolutely obsessed with in high school and really inspired me to get out there and play shows. Thankfully the way that I collaborate with my band really lends itself to flexibility.
Since I started off as a solo act and tend to initiate all of my songs with just an acoustic guitar, I can usually play most things in a stripped down, hopefully interesting way that gives people a nice experience in the audience. I tend to cut my teeth on a new song in front of at least a few audiences before I bring them to my band to bring into our more electronic sounding world, so playing them on my own feels natural in the right context.
Why the long gap between that SLC single show and the series of dates you’ll begin embarking on roughly two months later in the same city? (And yes, I’m aware you reside there.)
I had already booked my tour to follow the release of my new album when I got the offer to open up for Robb. It was an experience I couldn’t pass up, and 16 year old me would have kicked my ass if I did 🙂
What’s the best show you’ve ever played?
I’d have to say it was our 2023 album release party for In the Garden, by the Weeds [the album she released that same year]. It was here in SLC at the Urban Lounge, and Jordan and I worked our asses off to make a really special live [experience] with just the two of us. We had so many amazing friends pack the house. I felt so connected to my community and to Jordan and our songs. I still smile when I think about it.
What’s the worst show you’ve ever played?
Ooof, I’ve definitely played some tough ones. Back in my early 20s, I used to play a lot of restaurant gigs. I played a brunch gig at a vegan pizza restaurant once where the sound system was a small, one-speaker PA that was not electrically very sound. Every time I’d get close to the microphone it would shock the shit out of my mouth. It was a two-hour gig and it was very, very loud and very, very hot. When I used to play those long restaurant gigs, I used to be able to zone out and at least just have a nice time with my songs and the time would pass quickly. That was one I remember every painful, sweaty moment of.
What band(s) do you emulate or at least highly respect in terms of their concert performances?
I’ve always been a huge Sharon Van Etten fan in terms of lyricism, production and stage presence. She brings you along with her in her songs live in a way that transports you. She is funny and emotional and powerful. I’ve always admired her so much.
How big of a burden have or will soaring gas prices play(ed) on deciding your tour itineraries?
To be honest I’m trying no to think about it too hard haha. It’s going to be very expensive, I’m sure and I’ll be lucky to break even on the van rental. The credit card payments for gas will be a “fun” reminder of how great tour was well into next year, I’m sure.
How would you convince someone who’s on the fence about attending the show to commit to going?
I like to think that as different all of us human beings are, live music is something that can always be counted on to bring us together and give you a break from the horrors and the stressors of every day life. Even if it’s a genre I don’t really listen to, or an artist I’ve never heard of, I can always count on going to a show to help me feel the slightest bit more alive. I hope that folks will come to our show to feel connected to my music, but if my music misses the mark, I can guarantee standing in a room with your community and having a similar experience to everyone in the room with you will always be a connecting experience that’s better than anything you can experience staying at home. And selfishly, I’m really proud of these songs and think that we’ll do a really good job sharing them in a way that’s interesting if nothing else.
For more on Josaleigh Pollett, visit the artist’s profiles on Bandcamp, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
Photo credit: PJ Guinto
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