Country Mouse, City House is my seventh proper full-length album. We recorded it over a six day session in Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain with my rhythm section (Marc Pisapia, James "Hags" Haggerty) and super engineer/producer Paco Loco. Joe Pisapia (Marc's brother) added some overdubs and helped me mix the album back in Nashville.
The songs were written mostly during the summer of '06. After doing a "summer" record (Subtitulo), I thought it would be fit to do something with more of a “wintry” feel (I know, it's coming out in July but by the time people find out about it, it will be Fall!) I don't want to go into to much detail about the songs, but I will point out that there are themes of death, isolation, nature, religion, and dreaming.
The title was conceived during a 70-mile walk through the north of Spain in October. I thought it was a funny name and it's similar to Aesop's tale by the name of "Country Mouse and the City Mouse". People tell me I sometimes resemble a mouse in photos. It also rhymes with my name.
My sound is still 70's singer/songwriter. That's my favorite style of music, so that's what I do. I, and many of the people I work with, am obsessed with the sound and production of the 60's and 70's. Put simply, it just has something that a lot of modern records don't have. Perhaps it's being in the moment, and Country Mouse, City House is just that, a really great moment.
After my contract with Rykodisc ended, I started my own imprint called Bedroom Classics with the kind help from the people at Nettwerk and the support of my fans. Over the last 2 years, I've released Subtitulo and two EP projects (Bedroom Classics, Vol. 2 and She's Spanish, I'm American, a project with Paz Suay).
So far, it's been a wonderful and freeing experience. I have just finished recording two more albums. Country Mouse, City House will be released this summer, followed by another project early next year.
That's the story in short. Hope you enjoy the album. I enjoyed making it!
All the best,
Josh Rouse
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.
Wow, since you played solo acoustic at the Hotel Du Nord afew years ago, they have renewed the place and it's all poshed up now. By the way, where does this "the French didn't want me around, they didn't like my groove" bit come from?
God, I love "Cotten-Eyed Joe" It's the culmination of so many things for you. I hope you don't mind I put up a copy of it on my website, if its a problem, just let me know, and I'll take it down. It's just a low quality recording from your podcast. But I love it so much!
Was just listening to "Afraid to Fail" and though I'd drop by and say hey. Your album, "home," Might just go down as my favorite album of all time. Take care.
