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 you’re 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 owner’s 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. It’s 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 Josh’s 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 don’t need what has become a formulaic “radio hit” to be successful.
Slow and steady wins the race and with Josh Rouse’s passionate music and lyrics that touch your heart, the finish line isn’t far away at all.
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