An Interview with JOSH FARRO About His New Group, FARRO, Life After Paramore, His First Solo Tour And More!

Photo Credit- David O’Donohue

From 2004 to 2010, Josh Farro was lead guitarist and backing vocalist for the highly successful pop-alt group, Paramore. In fact, Josh AND his brother, Zac were part of the band.

They helped form the band in 2005 alongside Hayley Williams and Josh co-wrote hits like “Misery Business” and “Ignorance.”

Just this past February, Josh released his debut solo album, “Walkways” via Major Bob Music.

“It’s been a long time coming, but the day is finally here. Walkways is a great representation of the musical journey I’ve been on over the last year.”

Josh recorded the collection with producer Jacquire King at Nashville’s Blackbird Studio.

“I started to do the album with an engineer friend of mine, but I really wanted to do it with a producer. I was randomly introduced to Jacquire King. He was onboard, and next thing you know, we’re doing pre-production [in 2014]… I signed on with new management and once I had the album done with Jacquire, we started strategizing. We decided it was missing a few strong — I guess you could call them singles. I started writing again and I was really pleased with what I came up with.”

Learn more about Farro in the following All Access interview:

Photo Credit- David O’Donohue

Thanks for your time! So, how’s 2016 been treating you? What were some of the highlights of 2015 for you and your music?

2016 has been great. Just wrapped up my first tour and I feel really good about it. I would say playing my first show as a front-man was a highlight of 2015. I didn’t know what to expect, but once I walked out on stage, it immediately felt natural. It was a very cool experience.

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? When you first picked up the guitar, what did you play and how did you get interested in playing it?

Honestly, I never dreamed of being a musician. I randomly picked up the guitar after watching my dad teach my older brother how to play a few chords and started teaching myself. I quickly fell in love with it. From then on it turned into a passion of mine. I can’t remember exactly what I first played on guitar, but I think it was a basic chord like “G” or something.

What was it like releasing your 1^st solo album, “Walkways” earlier this year? Has this been a lifelong goal of yours? How long had you been working on that material?

Releasing my first solo album was pretty surreal. The positive response to it was so encouraging. I wouldn’t say it’s been a lifelong goal. I honestly never thought I’d ever do something like this until a couple of years ago. It took about 2 years to write and record the entire album.

How do you think your time in Paramore has helped you today as a musician? How do you think you’ve grown since that part of your life?

What I experienced while being a member of Paramore is priceless. I learned so much about writing, performing and the ins and outs of the industry. Having that experience definitely has helped me craft this new project. I feel like I’ve grown in so many ways since then, the biggest one becoming a lead singer. It truly is as if I picked up an entirely new instrument for the first time. But I love a challenge, so I’ve been working really hard at it.

Aside from singing, what was the most difficult thing you’ve had to get used to with the transition from guitarist to singer/front-man?

I’d say just talking to the crowd in between songs. I’m used to just tuning my guitar and staring at people in the crowd, but now I have to keep their attention! (Laughter) It’s fun though cause I feel like people can get to see a side to my personality that they usually wouldn’t if I were just a guitarist.

What was it like touring with your new band-mates? Will there be a permanent touring band?

It was a blast. It’s so fun having your talented friends come out and playing music with you. I hope for a permanent touring band for sure. It may take some time to find the exact guys though. It’s a lot to ask of someone to commit to my project permanently, but I’m sure I will find the perfect guys soon.

One Twitter fan of yours would like to know the inspiration behind your song, “Say The Word”?

I wrote that after letting my wife, Jenna, down one day. I was in my music room feeling a bit heavy about it all and so I decided to write a song about it. In the chorus I’m telling her that I’m on my knees waiting for her to ‘say the word’ and forgive me. We often hurt the ones we love most. It doesn’t really make sense, but it’s true.

What advice would you give to someone that is interested in breaking into the music industry and writing songs?

The thing I always tell new artists is stay true to yourself. Write from your heart not your head. Too many artists these days sell out just to be successful, but to me success is doing what you love. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Only you can write songs like you do no one else and that’s extremely special. So do your best to channel that sound in your art.

Paramore’s 2007 Album, “Riot”

Who are some of your favorite musicians? Who would you love to work with in the future? Do you have any plans to work with Paramore again? 

I like Coldplay. They are geniuses in my opinion. Everything they create is amazing. I also like Radiohead a lot. Their musicianship is beautifully crafted on every album. They are a band that continues to progress with each album they release. Paramore will always be a part of me. If I was given the opportunity to work with them again, I would be happy to see where it leads.

At the end of the day, what do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope listeners take away from your songs? 

I would say a sense of hope. Life can be very difficult. There’s so much sadness and brokenness in this world. I want my music to bring people joy in the midst of all of the sorrow that comes in this life.