What is your name?
Josh Cleveland
What is your genre of music?
Singer/songwriter – folk – blues
Give us a little bio about you.
I am born and raised in Oshkosh, WI. But, I have found a new home for the past 10 years in Minneapolis, MN. I grew up loving to sing in church and play drums with my highschool garage band. Music has always be a part of me. How I move, how I think, when I’m up or down, music has been a constant. The joy in writing music is learning to find the gems, the memorable elements, in sometimes unexpected parts of life. Whether these are funny, sad, profound or seemingly random, his mission is to capture within them something familiar and essential.
What made you go into music?
I was 8 years old or so when I saw an acapella group performing and I was so moved by their voices. I remember thinking that I wanted to be able to move people the way they moved me. Since then I have realized that it was all about connection. Music is a way to connect with others in quick, yet intimate and long-lasting way. That’s why I love music and that is why I went into writing music.
Who are your influences?
Amos Lee, Martin Sexton, Stevie Wonder, U2, Eddie Vedder.
Are you signed?
Not signed.
You released your new single ‘Home’, tell us more about the single.
Dustin Smith (guitars/mandolin) and I wrote this song together. It was our first co-write together. The story we were creating was turning out to be, what I thought to be a slightly overdone narrative about a musician on the road, but longing for home, but not longing quite enough to actually stay home. My wife, Katie, actually suggested the reason why the musician had to leave was that his love/partner/muse had actually died.
My mind was blown and Dustin loved the idea, so we went with it. I really love where the song went. Our friends from Family Three had just done a show with us and asking them to bring their evocative harmonies to the tune was a no-brainer. I’m really proud of what came out of that tune.
What were the writing and recording processes like?
See above for some details. I am always nervous to co-write with someone. I have one of two fears that creep up. Either, they are going to hate my ideas, or, I am going to allow my good ideas to fall by the wayside because I don’t want to push something onto my co-writer. Thus, I usually stay away from co-writing.
Writing with Dustin has been a whole different thing all together. We do a good job of building off of one another and positively challenging the weaker ideas into something better that can hold the weight of the next good idea.
Describe the track in two words.
Heartbreak beauty.
Who did you work with on the single?
Dustin Smith on guitars/mandolin/ambient keys. Eric Smith on drums. Family Three (Taylor Bonguard, Tony Lehr, Tawney Grimes) on Vocals. Phillip Rampi on Upright Bass. Mixed by Adam Krinsky at Bellows recording studio.
Will we see a music video for ‘Home’ and if so, what can we expect from it?
No video for this tune.
Will we see an EP or album and if so, what can we expect from it?
We have more songs that are in waiting in the wings to be released. We will release a few more singles in the coming months and an EP or Album in late spring, early summer.
Do you have any live shows or a tour coming up, and if so, let us know where we can catch you at!
We are doing a live recorded show on January 8th at the Pioneer Place on Fifth Theatre in St. Joseph, MN. Bad Habit Brewing on January 27th in St. Joseph. KJ’s Hideaway in St. Paul, MN. February 24th.
What can we expect in 2022?
More new music releases and a super fun cover tune with a brand new video. You won’t want to miss it.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Bringing more new music to our fans and creating new connections with people across the globe.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
Always do more than what’s expected of you.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Guitars, chords, pants, my band, and to take a deep breath before I hit the stage.
Which social media accounts should fans follow you at?
Instagram, Facebook, Youtube
