BY LESLEY HASTINGS
One of the most exciting new singer-songwriter-performers, with more than 300 million career streams, Canadian born Josh Ross has recently made his first visit to our shores to guest on Bailey Zimmerman’s six-date tour of UK and Ireland as well as performing at Highways Festival at the iconic Royal Albert Hall.
And what an impact he made, as I’m sure you’ll agree if you caught any of his powerful performances alongside his fabulous band.
Now living in Nashville and signed to UMG Nashville / Universal Music Canada, his latest release is the impressive 8-track EP “Complicated“ which includes the hit song “Trouble”, certified gold in the US (it was already platinum in Canada), the first Canadian Country artist to achieve this.
I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to chat to Josh backstage before his Highways set, and we covered a lot of ground in the 15 minutes I was allocated … I hope you enjoy the read. Oh and btw he gives great hugs!
LH Hi Josh and welcome to London … or more accurately welcome back as you played your inaugural UK show here recently with Bailey Zimmerman. You’ve been making a huge impact with country music fans here, how’s it been for you so far?
JR Thank you! Yes it’s been a quick turnaround. The shows have been really great, all sold out, and I’ve been meeting a lot of cool fans. It’s a different energy and I’m really excited to be here.
LH What had you heard about us before your visit?
JR Just that you’re attentive, and like to learn and understand the music … honestly as a songwriter that’s what I really appreciate. A lot of times you play shows and people are sonically loving it but they don’t get the message in the songs.
LH As well as Bailey you’ve opened up for the likes of Nickelback and Brantley Gilbert, seasoned artists who I assume you learned a lot from?
JR Yes I’ve been fortunate! With Brantley I learned a lot about the camp and how to treat the people around you, and Nickelback taught me a lot about show presence and how to entertain a crowd, I was the first of three so a lot of people there didn’t necessarily know me so I got to spend a lot of time winning new fans over.
LH And tonight you’re playing this iconic venue, I guess you’ve done soundcheck, what do you make of it? A bucket list venue for many artists and you get to play it on your first visit!
JR It sounds incredible! I’d heard a lot about it, I appreciate a good vibe room and I’m just excited to get out there.
LH I just want to ask a bit about your backstory, specifically your move to Nashville … the timing was ” interesting“ I guess you’d say, a tornado ripped through the city the day you arrived then a few months later the pandemic shut the world down.
JR So I’d been taking trips to Nashville for a little over a year at that point and decided it was the right time to make the move … I kind of already had a spot but this was my official move and my car was packed. I went out to a songwriter round that evening, and when I got home around midnight I heard my first tornado siren and learned quickly what that was all about! And yes, then Covid followed shortly after that!
LH Did you ever consider packing up and going home?
JR I did go home for a short time during Covid as nothing much was happening with Nashville pretty much shut down, but no Covid was actually a good time for me as I got to learn a lot of things that I didn’t know due to getting into music so late . I learned guitar, piano, how to become a better singer/songwriter, all that stuff. The downtime was good for me.
LH I’m glad your determination and tenacity won through, congratulations on the success you’ve achieved in a relatively short space of time which speaks volumes. My introduction to your music was your recent EP , sorry I’m a bit late to the party but I’m maybe not your target demographic
JR As long as you’re part of the party now, we’re good!
LH And you talked earlier about being a songwriter, well I’m very much a lyrics person which was what struck me the first time I listened to the EP, they are so strong. I know sport played a major part in your life and was going to be your career ‘til injury put paid to those plans, but have you always been interested in literature, poetry and writing too?
JR Writing, yeah, but there was no structure really, I didn’t find that til I started songwriting seriously. I used to jot my feelings down though, journaling, as a kid but hid it away from people as it wasn’t necessarily a cool thing to be doing at the time.
LH So do you still have those journals?
JR I tried to find them over Christmas when I was home, but didn’t. It would be cool to see what I was writing about and what I was feeling at the time .
LH You might get a few more songs out of them … I hope you find them.
LH One of my favourite songwriters is Brandy Clark who says there’s always a small nugget of truth in all her songs. Is that the case with your writing?
JR I would say it’s a large nugget! While my songs are inspired by the places and people around me, I’d say 80% are inspired by my life and what I’ve gone through.
LH So far you seem to specialise in break up songs (I have listened to your back catalogue)
JR Ha yes I’ve been through a few of those! Trying to write about life events I can relate to, and that other people can relate to, has always been a big thing for me. Hopefully now I’m in a new season of life but I guess we’ll find out …
LH I loved too how the EP was an introduction to the different sides of you. There’s heartbreakers but also some really cheeky fun ones. I love “Single Again” and I heard the story behind that….
JR Yes there’s a very real story behind that one. I was in Losers Bar in Nashville and a girl I knew in grade and high school was there, a random moment. I had that song idea for years but hadn’t got to write it, but I’m so excited about everything it’s doing now.
But yes, I wanted the EP to show different sides of me and sonically too I wanted it to sound different.As a consumer of music I listen to a wide variety of music.
LH That definitely comes through, there’s rock, pop, country … the genres are blurring these days it seems … my favourite I think is “Truck Girl “
JR That’s a personal favourite with a lot of people and I love that song, I had it in the side for about four years so it’s crazy and this project was just right for it. There’s a few songs on it that would have done well as just singles on their own. But we wanted to put out a little body of work. “Matching Tattoos” is getting requested a lot too … unfortunately we don’t play that one tonight though …
LH Yes a very reflective song, a perfect closer to the EP
JR Purposeful track order!
LH You are performing a cover in your current set I see … ”Iris” by The Goo Goo Dolls …
JR Yes I’m a big, big fan of theirs and have always loved that song . I grew up in a huge 90s rock family, it’s a song I knew as a kid very well and I’m grateful that people are enjoying us playing it.
LH Do you have a typical songwriting process?
JR I usually start with a word or a line, maybe something someone says, and try to write from that. I have about 3000 notes in my phone . Recently I’ve been trying to write things backwards, which is different to my normal “verse first then chorus” but I’m now starting with the end of the chorus … and work out how I get to that, in reverse order!
LH When you did start co-writing in Nashville was it a bit intimidating collaborating with people who’d maybe been there a while and were more established?
JR Yeah, I think what people don’t realise about Nashville is it’s not really a natural way of writing. You can write by yourself and that’s natural as it’s how you feel, or with close friends, but when you get to Nashville you tend to venture out and write with new people. It’s almost like speed dating. You either get along and figure each other out or you don’t! I was more intimidated about opening up to people about my feelings and what was going on in my life … ”you don’t know me but this is what I’m going through and want to write a song about“.
LH A bit like therapy
JR Exactly!
LH So, you’re not resting on your laurels after the success of this EP, there’s a new single out on 31st May I see, “New Me”, what can you tell me about this one?
JR You got the date, look at that! It’s more of an attitude-y , fun song, to do with a break up but about sticking true to who you are even if you might not fit into someone’s perfect picture. The hook of the song is “there ain’t no new me”. It has a trappier, uptempo beat which I’ve been exploring more and am excited about.
LH And you wrote it with ….
JR Mason Thornley and Matt Drew
LH And it’s out a few days after your birthday I see … guess that’s a few days of celebrating to come!
JR Yes a bit of partying in Nashville with the birthday gift being the new song!
LH I’m excited to hear it! Any plans for an album in the works?
JR We’ll see, I’d say for sure another EP, we’ll definitely have enough songs it’s just a timing thing.
LH And you have a busy schedule ahead I see, including shows in Canada which I guess must always be a bit special?
JR Yes I like playing new cities but it’s good to see what’s happened since I’ve left when I return home, and how excited everyone else is for me and my new music. It’s phenomenal.
LH I hope very much we’ll see you back here!
JR Definitely!
LH Thanks so much for your time, hope to speak to you again next time you’re here.
JR Yes … and thank you!
More artist information and links to Josh’s socials can be found here https://www.joshrossmusic.com/
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