Joshua Batten

Joshua Batten is a modern-day troubadour, using music as his language to connect with his audience. Drawing on personal experience, his music provides both an escape and perspective in a complex world. His live sets have resonated with audiences as his songs strive to “know thyself”, exploring genuine reflections of life’s most introspective moments, then humbly offering them up as common and universal experiences.

Based in Melbourne, Joshua's personal brand of bluesy folk-rock is characterised by passionate vocals, accomplished guitar playing, layered arrangements and insightful lyrics. Joshua says: “Music has given me a voice to break through the noise that constantly surrounds me.”

Whether layering intricate loops in his solo acoustic show or ripping it up on electric guitar with a backing band, Joshua's live sets have resonated with audiences and made him a festival favourite, with solo and band sets in Bruthen, Echuca, Bendigo, Newstead, St Kilda Blues Festival and Geelong Nightjar.

His other achievements include reaching the semi-finals of the Melbourne Blues Challenge (2018), playing live via satellite on James Valentine’s ABC Sydney Radio show, and opening for world-renowned artists including Russell Morris, Irish Mythen (CAN) and Neal Morse (USA). 

Joshua's debut full-length album, The City Within, was released in April 2020, and despite COVID-19, Joshua has maintained connection with his audience through weekly live-streamed concerts on Facebook. Joshua has played over sixty ‘Quaranstreams’ throughout 2020/21, bringing together his followers from all over the world.  

Joshua is currently working on his second album, supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria’s Music Industry Recovery Program.