Life has a way of teaching us lessons too late. Sometimes, we only realize the value of a person after they’re no longer around. That’s the story behind my upcoming song “I Was Wrong” — a heartfelt tribute to my grandmother, the one person who never gave up on me, even when I was too childish to see it. 💔 The Heart of the Song My grandmother wasn’t just family — she was a force of love and protection. While the world seemed to turn against me, she was the one who stood by my side. She fought for me, defended me, and believed in me when no one else did. Yet, in my youthful mischievousness, I didn’t always understand her value. I made fun of her sometimes — of her age, her habits, the little things that now feel like precious memories. I didn’t see the countless sacrifices she made. I didn’t realize how rare it is to have someone who truly loves you without conditions. “I Was Wrong” was born out of this realization — a mix of regret, nostalgia, and hope. A song that carries the words I ...
My Music Journey: From Village Dreams to Becoming an Independent Artist
Hi, I’m Joss Collen, and this is the story of how I started my journey as an independent artist, songwriter, and music producer.
Since childhood, I have always been crazy about listening to songs. Language was never a barrier—I would enjoy tracks in Hindi, English, or even other languages, reading translations and feeling a deep connection to the music. I admired every artist and wondered how they created such magic. In my mind, I thought they had big studios, expensive mics, editors, producers, and marketing teams—things that felt impossible for a boy like me.
I was born in a small village in Uttar Pradesh, from a lower-caste family where no one ever dreamed of becoming an artist. My relatives expected me to follow traditions, but I felt something different inside. Music was my escape, my way of defining my own future.
Becoming Joss Collen – An Independent Artist
Life had its own plan for me. With no studio, no mic, no big team, I started experimenting with music production on my own. I learned by failing, trying again, and slowly figuring things out.
Debut Song – “Echoes of You” (April 1, 2025)
My first ever song was Echoes of You. I recorded it with just vocals and a background instrumental. At that time, I didn’t even know about mixing, effects, or doubling vocals. I uploaded it directly to YouTube because I didn’t know about digital distribution. Platforms like TuneCore asked for money, and I couldn’t afford it. But I kept going.
Second Song – “Drama in Aisle Five” (May 18, 2025)
For this track, I discovered BandLab, my mobile studio. It was difficult at first, but I experimented with autotune, FX, and recorded hundreds of takes. I struggled with mixing and cried sometimes out of frustration, but I kept pushing myself. I distributed it through Routenote, finally reaching platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
Latest Release – “Made of Maybe” (September 24, 2025)
My most recent track is Made of Maybe. It’s a soulful, emotional song about the uncertainty of life and the struggles I face as an upcoming artist. This time, I used everything I had learned—doubling, FX, chorus work, and better mixing. It feels like my most complete work so far.
Learning Without a Team
Everything I know today—whether it’s mixing, vocal layering, or music distribution—I learned through YouTube tutorials, research, and even ChatGPT guidance. I still don’t have a big team or a studio, but I’m proud of creating something from nothing.
Why I Keep Going
Being an independent artist is not easy, but it’s about passion, consistency, and never giving up on your dream. My goal is to inspire anyone from a background like mine—where resources are limited—that it’s possible to chase your dream if you truly love it.
My Discography (So Far)
1. Echoes of You – Released April 1, 2025
2. Drama in Aisle Five – Released May 18, 2025
3. Made of Maybe – Released September 24, 2025
Final Thoughts
This is just the beginning of my music journey. I want to keep improving, keep learning, and keep reaching people who can connect with my songs.
Question for you: Which of my songs should I experiment on more—should I focus on emotional tracks like Made of Maybe or upbeat vibes like Drama in Aisle Five?
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