Joshua Bassett isn’t easily rattled, especially onstage. As someone who grew up in the theater, shadowing his sisters and then starring in his own productions, Bassett is used to rolling with the punches. Instead of berating himself when something goes wrong, he leans into it. And perhaps, that mentality when it comes to live performance is what makes his concerts so electric and fun to watch. He throws himself into performance and at his fans, without constraint. 

“I feel like that stuff makes it much more fun and free, so I try to lean into the elements of surprise,” he shares. “When things go wrong, it’s not like, ‘Oh shit, everything’s going wrong.’ It’s like, ‘Oh, curveball. How do we navigate that?’”

Last week, Bassett performed at The Troubadour, a legendary concert venue, which has seen the likes of Elton John, James Taylor, and more in its over 65-year existence. Here, inside its historic halls, Bassett cemented his legacy as one of this generation’s most exciting contemporary artists, performing fan favorites like “Lie Lie Lie,” “Common Sense,” and newly released tracks like “SHE SAID HE SAID SHE SAID.” Constantly switching between his piano and electric guitar as he navigated slower piano ballads and pop tracks, Bassett brought the audience on a sonic journey. 

“Every night before the show, I say to the band, ‘If we didn’t have a good time, we didn’t do it right,’ Bassett laughs, recalling at one point during the show when he tried on a fan’s tiara. Goofy, candid moments like these are part of Bassett’s allure and what keeps fans engaged. His whirlwind tour, featuring a few nights in New York City, Toronto and West Hollywood had just wrapped and now, the 21-year-old was quietly resting at home. Bassett has had quite the year–outside of touring and filming the fourth season of Disney’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, he has also released a new EP. Sad Songs In A Hotel Room features six beautifully candid and honest tracks that chronicle his past relationships and own bouts of anxiety. And yet, while the EP just came out this month, his “mind is full steam ahead on the next chapter.” 

“I made that EP a while ago and we just kind of sat on it,” he elaborates. “It didn’t feel right to release it then, many things were happening behind the scenes with mental health as well. In between the time that I wrote this EP, and it came out, I’ve written another 50 songs. That’s why I’m so eager to put out these other songs because I feel like they represent a different level of my artistry.”

To usher in this new chapter of Bassett’s life, he released a new song today, titled “Different.” Over soothing chord progressions and rich vocals, Bassett explores what it’s like to rekindle an old relationship. So far, the singer has released four surprise singles, each one dissecting different stages of a relationship, while all proving how love is messy, often very messy. 

“[With my music] I try to talk about a wide variety of things instead of one note the whole time,” he shares. “I think each song is different and illuminates a different truth behind my life. But, I guess the one thesis behind all of my work is that honesty is important, no matter how costly.”

For more about the iconic night, read our interview with Bassett below. 

V MAGAZINE: How would you describe the vibe of a typical Joshua Bassett concert? How’s the energy? What’s the crowd like?

JOSHUA BASSETT: My whole goal is to have a party and share the love. Every night before the show, I say to the band, “If we didn’t have a good time, we didn’t do it right.” I try to make it as inclusive of a space as possible and give people permission to let loose and have a good time. So far, each one has just been another level of party. 

V: I love that. And as for your two nights in LA, can you describe the energy of those shows?

JB: The first night was interesting. My family was there, and I write a lot about my family. So it was interesting to play certain songs in front of them. I got to sing “Lifeline” straight to my mom, which was really special because that song is about her. The second night was electric. It was so special. I had 30 of my best friends there, and I felt like I was flying. “SHE SAID HE SAID SHE SAID” was a fun one to perform because people hadn’t heard it live yet and it’s just came out, so that was really cool. Yeah, it was really special. I’m really proud that that’s how I ended my first mini tour. It was a really special time and unforgettable, to say the least.

V: It sounds really special. Can you take us back to your earliest experience performing? 

JB: I did musical theater when I was younger because it’s what my sisters did, and I think community theater teaches you a lot of things. It teaches you how to be independent, it teaches you how to turn it on like a light switch. There’s something about having done so many shows and so many musicals when I was younger that I just learned how to turn it on. So I’ll put on my outfit, and a whole other version of me comes out, and I’m like, “It’s go time.” I love the thrill of performing, and a part of me actually likes when things go wrong, which might sound a little backward, but it makes things exciting. My first show in Toronto, I slipped as soon as I came out. At one of my shows in LA, I fell off the piano. I feel like that stuff makes it much more fun and free, so I try to lean into the elements of surprise. And when things go wrong, it’s not like, “Oh shit, everything’s going wrong.” It’s like, “Oh, curveball. How do we navigate that?” So I try and roll with the punches, and that comes with performing.

V: Yeah, that’s definitely the thing about live performances that makes it so much fun. Is there anything you have to do before a show, like a pre-show ritual or anything? 

JB: The whole day can be pretty meditative. I try to stay as Zen and calm as possible. I do a lot of visualization where I sit down, picture myself onstage, and allow any feelings to come in. Sometimes I picture that, and there’s a wave of nerves, so I allow my body and mind to get used to that feeling so that when I go on stage, I’ll be ok. They say that your body doesn’t know the difference between thought and reality, so if you can teach yourself how to navigate those situations before you’ve even been in them, your body is more acclimated to that. Sometimes we’ll take a couple of pictures before the set, and then, the band will get together to pray, and then we go out on stage and kick ass.

V: How do you go about organizing your setlist? Does it change every night? 

JB: It changed for LA because two songs had come out, “would you love me now?” and “SHE SAID HE SAID SHE SAID.” When I go on tour next time–I don’t want to give away anything, but I want to do a new cover every night, a different song. I think that’ll be a fun little challenge. I almost skipped a couple of songs on my first night in LA, because my voice was tired, and it was getting kind of long, but I was like, “No, we’re doing the songs.” It’s so important to me that certain songs like, “All In Due Time,” or whatever it might be, are shared with the fans because they’ve always had a great payoff. Overall, I’m really proud of how the setlist all came together, and the show that we put on.

V: I know you don’t want to give too much away, but is there a specific genre or artist you want to cover?

JB: I love a good throwback. Any song that really speaks to my soul. “She Will be Loved” by Maroon 5 is one that I covered. That’s a song that I’m like, “Oh, I wish I had written that song.” That’s the type of energy I would look for in a cover. 

V: I love that, and as you just released your six-track EP, how do you feel? What does it feel like to have it out there? 

JB: I made that EP a while ago and we just kind of sat on it. It didn’t feel right to release it then, many things were happening behind the scenes with mental health as well. But it’s been wonderful to see that the songs have resonated. In between the time that I wrote this EP, and it came out, I’ve written another 50 songs that I’m excited about. That’s why I’m so eager to put out these other songs because I feel like they represent a different level of my artistry. And also, I feel like, why wait when you have stuff that you’re 10 times as excited about? Long answer short, it was wonderful to put it out there, but my mind is full steam ahead on the next chapter. 

V: Yeah, and speaking of new songs, your most recent song, “Different,” releases this week. What is that song about?  

JB: I think anyone who’s paying attention to the three songs or to the EP, you can pick up on the fact that love is complicated. These songs show the different aspects of different relationships. I think this is the most non-answer answer I can give, but it’s another chapter in a very complicated love story. I don’t want to say much, but I will add that I’m obsessed with the bridge.

V: Well, we’ll definitely have to pay attention to the bridge. Is there an overall message you hope listeners resonate with?

JB: I think a lot of things that I do, if not all of them, are aligned with, “What did I need to hear when I was 12?” or “What did I need to hear when I was six?” Something I’m actually really proud of is that all my songs can be in a different lane. I try to talk about a wide variety of things instead of one note the whole time. I think each song is different and illuminates a different truth behind my life. But, I guess the one thesis behind all of my work is that honesty is important, no matter how costly.

V: That’s a good message. And we read that you’re filming the new season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, how’s that process been? 

JB: We’ve been through a lot as a cast. I think we’re all at a point where we all hold respect and love for each other. It’s been a really wonderful environment on set. Everyone is very supportive. I’ve known these people for so long and so closely that we really do feel like a family. It’s been interesting navigating the music stuff while also trying to film. Ask anyone on set and pretty much the moment they say cut, I’ve disappeared into one of the fake offices listening to a mix. Or, in between takes, I’ll ask people on the cast and crew, “Which of these two versions feel better?” I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t exhausting, but it’s ultimately all I want to do, so it’s worthwhile.

V: Is this something you see yourself doing forever? Exploring both music and acting at the same time? 

JB: There’s a multitude of things that I want to do in my career. I also want to start my own record label one day, so I’m not going to box myself or pretend like I have an answer there. Hopefully, going forward, I can be a little bit more organized. I film for three months, I do the album for three months, I tour for three months, and I vacation for the rest. 

V: I love that. Finally, as we round out 2022, is there anything else you’re looking to do before the year ends? 

JB: Yeah, I’m excited to continue to improve my health on a mental and physical level. I think that’s all fallen on the back burner, being so busy. I think having a bit of time for the rest of the year to really take things in stride and enjoy filming. 

V: Amazing. Thank you so much for taking the time, Joshua. Is there anything else that we didn’t touch that you want to share with readers?

JB: Just choose love always and take care of yourselves and others.

Stream Bassett’s new releases below.