Artist : Josh Rouse
Album : Country Mouse, City House
Label : Bedroom Classics
Genre : Indie
Bitrate : 190 kbps avg
Source : CD (LP)
Playtime : 00:38:30 (55.0MB)
Rls date : 2007-06-25
Store date : 2007-07-31
[Track List]
1. Sweetie 4:50
2. Italian Dry Ice 4:41
3. Hollywood Bass Player 4:05
4. God, Please Let Me Go Back 4:19
5. Nice To Fit In 3:28
6. Pilgrim 4:22
7. Domesticated Lovers 3:28
8. London Bridges 4:04
9. Snowy 5:13
"Country Mouse City House" out July 31.
After spending many years in central Tennessee (which came
to a close with Nashville, his most recent album and
farewell letter to the city that helped hone his craft),
Josh bought a plane ticket and immersed himself in the
lifestyle and customs of Spanish culture. This influence
shines throughout the upbeat (and largely romantic) tenor
within each song.
Josh describes his move to Spain as more of a freewheeling
lifestyle change than an agonizing decision process. I was
ready for a change and was thinking about going to New
York. I was dating a girl that lived in Spain and she
wanted to move to New York as well but instead, I packed a
guitar and 2 big suitcases and rented an apartment on the
Spanish Mediterranean coast. I've been here ever since.
The first single "Quiet Town" (a homage to the Spanish
community, where Josh first laid roots upon arrival),
feels like youre there curled up on the balcony of a
whitewashed casita, while Summertime evokes memories of
adolescent days past. Other songs, such as Jersey Clowns
paint a picture of infidelity in the lower level mafia.
His Majesty Rides reflects on the life of a touring
musician. The Man Who (a duet with female vocalist, Paz
Suay), tells a story of isolation and the desire to
administer therapy to those we come to love.
"Subtitulo" was recorded at Paco Loco Studios in Puerto de
Santa Maria in the south of Spain in August of 2005. Josh
says, Recording at Paco Loco was one of the best
experiences I've ever had. We had a pool and the owners
wife cooked two big meals every day. We all ate outside,
so it was very laid back and enjoyable.
In Nashville, Josh always had the luxury of having a
strong contingent of musician friends around to jump on a
recording session. For Subtitulo the commute was a bit too
far to be impromptu, so the studio team was much smaller.
This record is more of a nylon string guitar and voice
album, explains Rouse. Marc Pisapia was with us in Spain
to play drums and Brad Jones produced the album and played
bass and piano.
The abrupt change of scenery and foreign influences of
Altea produced a rich atmosphere for writing. Says Rouse,
I wrote the album in the first week that I arrived there.
Altea is a very inspirational place. Its a very old, small
town with no movie theater or concerts.
In the fall of 2005, Rouse founded Bedroom Classics
(taking the name from an earlier EP release for fans a few
years back). The labels first release, an EP released
exclusively via iTunes, entitled Bedroom Classics, Vol. 2,
showcases Joshs love for the Cinema. I started Bedroom
Classics after my previous record contract ended. I had
talked to quite a few labels but the reality was that
there weren't many benefits for an artist like myself at a
big corporation Rouse stated. With my own label, I can
give my fans music through the internet or through
traditional outlets more often - as it should be. My goals
in doing this are to keep making records and to earn
enough to keep going...which in my eyes is success. Rouse
added.
In a time when the charts are topped with blockbuster pop
and hip-hop releases with massive marketing budgets, there
is also a strong contingent of singer songwriters who are
doing it their way and earning the respect of critics and
fans on their own musical terms. The likes of Ryan Adams,
Wilco, Damien Rice and Jack Johnson have established that
you dont need what has become a formulaic radio hit to be
successful.
Slow and steady wins the race and with Josh Rouses
passionate music and lyrics that touch your heart, the
finish line isnt far away at all.