Where’s Joss?
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Where’s Joss?

While he may have been absent from many of his high school classes Joss Russell, lead singer of Where’s Joss?, is giving it his all to make the band a big deal. “In Year Nine at school, I was very absent from a lot of classes. I was very lazy when it came to school, and I kind of still am now,” Joss adds with a laugh.
This laziness can by no means be attributed to their career in the industry, which for an emerging band is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Most graduating from high school this year, band members James Fitzpatrick, Connor Forsyth, Julian Kenny and Harry Booth have already played gigs at the Australian Open, Australian Grand Prix, St Kilda Music Festival and airplay on Triple M.
Though it doesn’t stop there – the band has also opened for the likes of Daryl Braithwaite, Ross Wilson, Brian Mannix, Bluejuice and Taxiride. Not many bands can say that they’ve played such high profile events before they’ve even gone through the stresses of high school exams.
Joss is fully appreciative of all the opportunities that have come his way, and looks back on the experiences with air of pride for what they’ve achieved.
“With the bigger festivals and bigger gigs you do get a beautiful setup, and it’s a really inspiring atmosphere as well,” he says. “The feeling of playing in front of the audience with a nice big PA, stage and setup, there’s nothing else like it.”
And while they appreciate the energy from a large crowd, they still love the shows at home and the familiar faces dancing along to their tunes.
“We tend to play a lot of gigs down at the Torquay Hotel, and a lot of people down there are regulars and they see us play all the time. It’s kind of nice to come back to the same people every now and them and have them know you and seen you before,” Joss says.
“It’s also nice to talk to individual people in the crowd while you’re up on stage and really get them revved up and get them involved in that way. That’s something that you can’t really do at the bigger gigs.”
For those living in Geelong, Where’s Joss? might be a name you’ve heard associated to being a cover band. While this is true, the five-piece has recently made the decision to create original music after a successful few years performing covers.
“It’s kind of always been the plan. We’ve known that we can’t make an amazing living out of playing covers, and I personally love playing covers because you can change things up and make them your own,” he says. “Everyone always gets into them, and they always enjoy them, but we really want to take it to the next level with originals.”
The band has since released a few original songs with plans to release a lot more, including ‘Casual Affair’ which has a teaser on YouTube.
“I kind of feel like it’s better than anything we’ve done this year. A lot of our songs have been quite basic and a bit repetitive, but this one’s got a real catchy chorus, and it really goes with our signature pop-rock vibe,” Joss says.
The band’s sudden focus on playing original music could be pinned to their newfound maturity, experience in the industry or their freedom from the time constraints of high school. Regardless, it certainly helps to have Dwayne Russell, ex-footballer and now commentator, as a father and also your music manager.
“He’s really relaxed and a lot like me in a lot of ways. He just loves everything about the band and he’s really into it. He tries so hard for us and we try hard in return at the gigs and in everything we do,” he says.
While many musicians seem to resent the involvement of family members, Joss really seems to appreciate his father’s presence, and the love he has for what his father does for the band can be felt as Joss talks of his dad’s work.
“I was watching this special on Beyoncé the other day and she was saying how she hates how her dad is involved in everything. But I love having him involved and talking about the band at home and everything. It’s really cool to be involved with him in that way,” Joss says.
It seems to be in the Russell genes that once you’ve found your niche – and Joss has worked his way through all possible sports – to pursue it until you make it to the top. As soon as Joss picked up an instrument, he knew he’d found his ‘thing’.
“It’s just about finding what you’re good at and sport was definitely not my forte,” he says.
Later this month Where’s Joss? is set to play the Geelong Cup. While they’ve played at many high profile events, it’ll be one of their first chances to headline a local gig and showcase their new material.
The band plan to be around for a long time and continue doing what they love – playing music live. The Geelong Cup is a great chance for the band to prove to locals what they’ve got, and be yet another stepping stone to a successful career as an iconic Australian pop-rock band.
To see where the band will play next or to keep up to date visit their website or Facebook.
When&Where: Geelong Cup – October 22
Written by Amanda Sherring. Photo by Natalie Evans Photography