The Joshua Burkett Interview

Are you originally from the Amherst, Mass area? What was your childhood like and how did you initially get into music? Was music something that was relevant around your household, or was this something you found entirely on your own? Do you have any siblings?

No... I grew up in CT, mostly around the Storrs area. I was lucky, I had a pretty idyllic childhood. Well, teenage years were intense, but I think in a similar way too many people. Just trying to find my own identity, etc. and music was part of it since early on (and music of those times was better!) but yea I was more into music than the rest of my family. (Though my older brother got into rock and punk before me). Yes, two brothers.

What would you do for fun back in the day before music took over? Who were among some of the first groups, or artists that left a heavy impression on you? Prior to your solo career in music you participated in groups such as Bimbo Shrineheads and Vermonster throughout the late 80’s to the early 90’s. Can you tell me about those outfits?

Before music, I was into comic books and action movies, etc. (I’m still into some of these) also was really into bird watching as a kid. Early on I was really into stuff like Spandau Ballet, Sex Pistols, Bauhaus, and MTV 120 minutes. (Before that I was into Weird Al and Madonna). For visual arts I liked a lot of stuff... Bimbo Shrineheads (Shrinnirs) and Vermonster both had a huge effect on me as a teenager (and the music still holds up!) Shrinnirs got me out of the house and involved in the world and we played a bunch of shows with legendary folks (Paul Flaherty & Colbourne, The Ex, Laughing Hyaenas) and toured across the states playing in cool/DIY spaces and they still play 30 years later! Vermonster and the twisted village label showed me how you could just put out stuff on your own, tuff beyond genres and have people be into it in different ways. I was also in the band 'Urchin' that was probably the worst heavy metal band of all time, but was pretty fun.

‘95 saw the debut release of your solo material with the record “Owl Leaves Rustling”. Can you tell me about writing and recording that record and how did the deal with Feathers One’s Nest, a label you would partner for future release? What was the overall vision for that album and what were you most eager to explore with that album as a solo artist?

In 1994/95 Vermonster stopped playing, and the Shrinnirs would just play in CT, so I had to figure out what to do next. i decided to put out this record. I really didn’t think anyone would care, o I just did all the weird things that I wanted to. I had no plans to play live etc... (though if anyone asked, I probably would have). Some was recorded on the street (I was a street musician at the time too) and was just getting into private press, uk folk etc, so there is some weird folk vibes too... In truth, I’m just more of a visual artist, who likes to record too. In the music world there is a lot of attitude and competition, etc, there is also these people who just put stuff out on their own terms and have normal jobs, etc. That is where I feel like I fit in. Oh, so “Feathers Ones Nest" that label is just me putting out my own stuff basically, when no one else will put it out, etc.

You're a very prolific artist and have released numerous pieces of music with various artists such as Ed Askew, Conrad Capistran, Steve Gunn, Ma Turner and much more. What are some of your favorite bodies of work from your solo vault that you're most proud of and why?

Yea its true... At this point I have played with a bunch of other folks (I’ve never played with Ma Turner though, but I’d like to). I like that aspect of music... That you can do shows and record with all different kinds of folks. I like the community aspect of art/music. I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in all sorts of stuff. This seemed to be happening more before the pandemic, but hopefully the community feeling will return.

Tell me about starting the unique and vast Mystra Records. What is your approach when working on releasing a project? I understand you do most of the artwork, some unique and one of a kind/handmade. What is the overall mission and vision for the label after all these years?

I guess I usually am just thinking about working on the next thing, etc. I like being involved in that next thing, but yea... I guess 'Gold Cosmos' overall, but in some ways my newest lp 'Wander The Waffle' is the best one. Mystra got started about 12 years ago to do the local comp 'X-Plural-Us' (which Conrad Capistran helped to name). There was such a great local scene around then and to do the Ralph White lp too (which was a split with Spirit Of Orr) now its a cdr/cassette label. I dunno… Some artists/releases are just so amazing, that they call out for help, or something and we try to do just that. Hopefully some Mystra releases have helped artists. A few releases have been reissued as bigger pressings, etc. so that seems cool and its true… I do most of the art. I think it was inspired by the great 'Ultra Eczema' label, but also a lot of artists don’t have a vision for the covers...

What have been some of your most enjoyable and proud moments spanning over your 30 plus years playing music and making art? What have been up to in more recent times? Are you currently working on any new projects both in music as well as visual art? Is there anything else you would like to further share with the readers?

I think the best moments have been when things seem to all connect, like in more recent times with the 'Mystra Ooze Fests' when we get these great folks to play and they have a good time and a lot of people show up to watch, ut yea, also to have done releases and work with folks like Susan Alorn, Tom Ardolino, Ralph White, Peter Stampfel and book shows for a lot of them and to help music to keep doing the magic stuff it does out there. But yea, in recent years we have done 7, or so festivals and still do cdr and cassette releases... The next ones coming up are Dan Gay and Bunwinkies! Yes… I’m working on new stuff. I have a new music project with Jeff Gallagher called 'Bride of Chucky' and I still play with my old-timey band 'Frozen Corn'. Also I have an art show coming up at Looky Here in Greenfield in March and I’m working on solo music too. nd the label Streamline is suppose to reissue my album 'footnotes' soon as well. Well I should say first of all i just had an LP come out with the great Tucker Zimmerman, who is an amazing musician and who I’m really proud to have met and now have this release with. (He has really had a profound effect on me!) I’m working on new stuff. I have a new music project with Jeff Gallagher called 'Bride of Chucky' and I still play with my old-timey band 'Frozen Corn'. I have an art show coming up at Looky Here in Greenfield in March, and I’m working on solo music too and the label Streamline is suppose to reissue my album 'Footnotes' soon as well.