Joshua Strauther, aka Joshy Soul of Joshy Soul and the Cool, is a musician who plays original vintage soul and R&B, inspired by Motown and 1950s rhythm and blues. Joshy Soul and the Cool return for the 2017 Craft Lake City DIY Festival, headlining the festival’s SLUG Mag Stage on Friday, Aug. 11, from 9:30–10 p.m. The festival is held each year at the Gallivan Center.
Special thanks to the The Restfor hosting the SLUG Style shootin their eclectic underground bar and restaurant space.
Every month, SLUG Stylefeatures distinct and unique members of the community and asks them why they do what they do. Exploring more than just clothing, SLUG Style is an attempt to feature the people who give Salt Lake City flavor through personality and panache.
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“The color palette is how I kind of think about what I’m wearing, because then I mix a lot of pattern together,” says Joshy Soul. “It could be like a windowpane, checkered blazer, and I’ll wear polka dots, and then some patterned socks, and it just all fits together.” Photo: @clancycoop
Regarding his style, Joshy Soul says, “I look at some old artists that I like, and I kind of look at what they did, and I just try to modernize it. Not just try to dress straight ’60s, but kind of ’60s—thin up the tie a little bit but then still wear a double-breasted jacket, or something.” Photo: @clancycoop
“I go to the ballet a lot. I like to go watch my friends dance in ballet, and I hear the orchestra music mixed with movement—it helps me kind of tell my own story. It helps me to write better. I love watching the ballet,” says Joshy Soul. Photo: @clancycoop
Joshy Soul is a tea enthusiast. “I love the social aspect,” he says of tea. “I think tea is so conversational. You should wake up and have a conversation with somebody, or be by yourself and read, but it’s just that kind of humanistic standpoint that I love about tea.” Photo: @clancycoop
Regarding tea, Joshy Soul says, “My friends will get up, or if it’s just midday, or if we’re about to go out, or we’re just hanging out at the house, it’ll be like, ‘Hey, can I make you a pot of tea?’ And then we’ll drink tea and then go out somewhere.” Photo: @clancycoop
Speaking of style icons that inspire him, Joshy Soul lists, “Little Richard, Jackie Wilson—Marvin Gaye had some cool style, really different than a lot of people that I like. Even just seeing the simplicity of Buddy Holly was cool, too. But nowadays, I think André 3000—Outkast—he always has pushed the boundaries, and so I love his little twist on the Southern gentleman mixed with a modern man.” Photo: @clancycoop
Joshy Soul loves to travel, and particularly likes London. “I just love the consistency of the fashion. I think I love how everyone has good style, and everything’s tailored, or something. I just love being around there. There’s just so much to do, and each part of London offers something different.” Photo: @clancycoop
“I love Fantastic Mr. Fox, or Moonrise Kingdom, color-wise, because what [Wes Anderson] used for those movies was like mustard and forest green, red, browns, like really just earth tones,” says Joshy Soul. “A lot of that stuff kind of helps me put pieces together.” Photo: @clancycoop
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![“I love Fantastic Mr. Fox, or Moonrise Kingdom, color-wise, because what [Wes Anderson] used for those movies was like mustard and forest green, red, browns, like really just earth tones,” says Joshy Soul. “A lot of that stuff kind of helps me put pieces together.” Photo: @clancycoop](https://www.slugmag.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/SLUG_Style_Joshy_Soul_9.jpg)