Electric guitars, or guitars in general, are undoubtedly the vital cog among performing bands, with the guitarists being hailed as the backbone of the band. We are thrilled to have Joshua and Joelle, the talented guitarists of Amberhill, join us as Revstar artists. With their new gear in hand, we sat down to have a chat with them about their musical journey, and how the RSE20 electric guitar has become an essential part of their creative process. From the band’s early days to their latest projects, here’s an inside look at Amberhill’s story and their path forward.
JOSHUA & JOELLE'S MUSICAL BEGINNINGS
Joshua and Joelle’s musical paths may have started in different places, but they have both come together in their shared love for guitar-driven music.
Joshua initially started as a percussionist and drummer but was always drawn to more melodic sounds. While studying in polytechnic, he picked up the guitar, drawn in by the intricate sounds of tapping. This sparked his interest in playing math rock tunes.
Joelle, on the other hand, grew up in a musical family where her dad taught her how to play guitar. From there, she embraced the indie and alternative genres, drawing inspiration from artists like Phoebe Bridgers and Clairo.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF YAMAHA GUITARS AND THE RSE20
Both Joelle and Joshua always saw Yamaha guitars as solid, beginner-friendly instruments, with their first electric guitars being Yamaha PACIFICAs.
When asked about the RSE20 electric guitar, Joelle shared that the stripes on the guitar’s body, connecting to the bridge, caught her eye. Joshua, who was initially not well-acquainted with Yamaha's Revstar lineup, was surprised to see how different it was from the PACIFICA but found the unique direction cool.
HOW THE RSE20 HELPS SHAPE THEIR SOUND
Both Joelle and Joshua agree that the RSE20 electric guitar handles distortion exceptionally well, providing a driven sound perfect for grungier, heavier sections in their music.
For Joelle, the guitar encourages her to strum more dynamically, thanks to its ability to handle distorted sounds. Meanwhile, Joshua loves the dry switch, which instantly brightens the tone and makes it easier to access a variety of tones without switching guitars.
THE ORIGINS OF AMBERHILL AND THEIR FIRST EP IN 2017
When asked if Amberhill had first started out back in 2015 with their cover song post, Joshua laughed, saying, "That was a really long time ago!" While not the official start, many of the friends from that post helped form the band. The members met at Singapore Polytechnic's DMAT course.
Shortly after the unofficial formation of the band, their first EP dropped in 2017 titled ‘Songs From Summer’. While writing and recording the songs were easy, Joshua noted that promoting the EP proved more challenging. Initially planning to upload it to SoundCloud, they received guidance on how to get it onto streaming platforms and reach the right media.
JAPAN TOUR 2018
Amberhill’s first overseas performance during their 2018 Japan tour was a memorable experience. Joshua recalls: “We played two nights in Tokyo, and on the first night, a lady from another band bought a shirt from us. The next day, she showed up wearing our merch!” He added that the Japanese bands were incredibly friendly, offering to host future shows, and the venue staff were welcoming.
AMBERHILL MOVES TO AUSTRALIA
Amberhill later moved to Australia when Joshua relocated to Melbourne for university. Although it is a decision he still could not fully explain, Joshua valued the chance to experience the local indie scene. The members he formed the band with in Melbourne became some of his closest friends: “A very big shoutout to Sam, Max, Mel, and Abby!”
RETURN TO SINGAPORE AND THE RELEASE OF THEIR FIRST ALBUM
Joshua initially stepped away from Amberhill during his second year in Melbourne, but after returning to Singapore in 2020 due to COVID, a friend named Jaz from Warm Linen Records convinced him to finish the album. The promise of having someone handle the release and marketing was a huge motivator. With six songs already written, he thought finishing the album would be quick, but it ended up taking another 2.5–3 years.
Deciding he does not want to be the lead singer anymore, Joshua asked Nat, a longtime friend, to become their new frontperson. “Working on the album and performing with Nat and the band felt more like fun than work!” Joshua exclaimed.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR AMBERHILL?
Looking ahead, Amberhill is excited about their upcoming interactive shows, including one at the National Library on March 22nd with Suncell and Taledrops. They're also working on incorporating interactive visuals into their set. Joshua’s ultimate hope is to continue making music together, as he and Yi Zheng (drummer) have been since 2015. He has also been encouraging Joelle to pursue her own music, and they have been working together on her debut EP, which is set to be released soon.
MESSAGE TO FANS
“Thank you for listening and for coming to our shows! I’m just genuinely very grateful when people come up to us and say they like our sound or enjoyed our performance, it always makes my day to hear it. There’s very little else I want to do with my life than make music, so to hear that people like what we’ve been making in the band it really means a lot.
We usually release details of shows we play or songs we’re working on at our Instagram. @Amberhill.band”
Watch these exclusive interviews with Joelle and Joshau to find out more about their experiences with the Yamaha Revstar RSE20!
Interview with Joelle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzKODO1Cwh0
Interview with Joshua: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y45hlHe4QaI&t
