***JOSH ROUSE INTERVIEW***
Hi there all, welcome to my first interview!
Here is a small bio about Josh Rouse.
Biography
Born in the small town of Paxton, Nebraska, he moved to various places in the Midwest during his childhood due to his father’s military career. Following his time at Austin Peay State University, he eventually settled down in Tennessee, where he met some local musicians and began recording.
The initial recordings he put to tape eventually became his debut release, Dressed Up Like Nebraska. Released to critical acclaim, it allowed him to tour and begin performing full time, eventually releasing a second album, Home, in 2000. His songs would later be featured on a variety of television shows and movie soundtracks.
In 2002 Rouse released Under Cold Blue Stars, his first for Rykodisc. Following a tour with Guster, he would release another album, 1972. A concept album of sorts, in the style of songwriters from the time of his birth, it was released in 2003. In 2005, he released Nashville, which featured the single “Winter in the Hamptons”. In 2006, Subtítulo, was released, which corresponded with his move to Spain.
Along with his normal full-length albums, Rouse occasionally releases EPs featuring demos and alternate takes on his personal Bedroom Classics label. The volumes are usually limited to small numbers in release, and for sale only through his website or at live performances. In 2007, Rouse released a duet EP with Paz Suay under the moniker She’s Spanish, I’m American.
Rouse opened for John Mayer on a string of dates from January 25 to February 3 for Mayer’s winter 2007 tour.[1]
A new album, Country Mouse City House, was released July 2007. The album was promoted by a US tour in September and October, followed by a European tour in November and December. [2]
In April 2008, Josh announced his official website www.joshrouse.com[3] will become Bedroom Classics Closet Archives, where for a yearly subscription users can download rare and unreleased recordings in MP3 format. The first three of these releases are a complete live recording of December 7th 2007 performance at The Shepherds Bush Empire in London; 4 additional recordings from an April 20th 2006 KCRW radio performance with a string quartet (the rest of this performance is available of the digital EP ‘Guitar and Strings’) and the 5 track Bedroom Classics Vol.3, featuring 4 new original compositions and a cover of Mother Love Bone’s Chloe Dancer.
The new album for 2009 is currently been worked on by Josh.
—————————————————————————————————————-
THE STARLIGHTS JAMS PRESENTS THE JOSH ROUSE INTERVIEW
I recently got the chance to ask Josh some questions about what he is up to and his feelings on certain things.Enjoy the read!
Hi Josh and thanks for taking some time out to answer some questions for The Starlight Jams
First off I would like to ask you what can we expect from your new record?
I’m still working on it. About half of the record I’m singing in Spanish. There’s lot’s of strings and percussion.
When writing your new album how hard is it to narrow down the song selection and to also piece it together for an album tracklist?
It depends, some records are more difficult than others. I usually don’t write to many songs for a record so I don’t leave to many out. I think my records have a lot of variety so I’m not too choosy, the song just needs to have “something. Sequencing the disc is usually fairly easy, the songs kind of fall into place, or there’s inter-changeable song slots.
How challenging is it to transform the record into a live performance?
If there are a lot of arrangements and your doing it acoustic, it’s difficult. The chord progression and melody/words have to keep the listener’s attention. I try my best to get a close approximation of what’s on record, but it’s hard. You have to treat the live experience and recording as 2 separate things sometimes.
Do you believe in the theory that people(fans) buy concert tickets to see
bands/preformers believe in themselves?
I’ve never heard of that theory. I think fans spend time hearing and consuming an artist so when they arrive to their city/town, they just have to go see the living being and what kind of vibe they have. I just went to see Joao Gilberto and of course he justs sits there in front of thousands whispering, and playing beautiful music. It didn’t need production/ charisma. The music spoke and let you drift into your own world, that’s what I look for in a show.
“I think fans spend time hearing and consuming an artist so when they arrive to their city/town they just have to go see the living being and what kind of vibe they have”
Do you ever have time to sit and reflect on how you help people’s lives with your music? How does that make you feel?
It’s kind of hard to put yourself in a fan’s shoes. I’ve thought about it, and while I appreciate their admiration, I always feel embarrassed by “you’ve helped me with your music”.
Artists sometimes say the best songs are written in 20mins, they are like a dream everything just comes together. Whats your thoughts on that? Or can a song that has taken hours on end still become that dream?
Yes, usually the most immediate songs are written quickly. A song that has taken months or a year can also turn out beautiful as well, it’s just more work for you!!!!
Is melody more important to you than lyrics? Or vice versa? Or both very important?
They are both important but in general, without a good melody people will tire and not pay attention no matter how great the lyrics are.
Does writing a film score intrest you at all?
I would love to, but i haven’t been offered anything.
And finally has Josh splashed out on any new musical equipment for the upcoming tour?
I have a classical guitar that I play and that’s it.
Thanks for taking the time out to answer the questions Josh.Good luck with the new record and the tour.
Well there you go the first interview up hope you enjoyed the read.
Josh’s new “Best Of Rykodisc Years” is available now !!
