Rather than wait for inspiration to strike, Joshua Radin will seek it out wherever possible. His search for inspiration led him to hit the road in 2022. He left his material existence in the rearview, grabbed a backpack, packed his guitar, picked up a pen and a pad, and sought new stories to tell. Those stories comprise though the world will tell me so, part 1 [Nettwerk], the first of a pair of forthcoming EPs.
The music encodes a reminder to recognize even though the world may suggest one thing, you’ll still feel however you feel—and that’s okay…
“I felt like I was going to live the life of a kid on a gap year after high school,” he smiles. “However, it has helped my writing and my soul. I feel so much freer.”
He’s certainly earned this season. Back in 2004, Joshua emerged as an empathetic, engaging, and often enthralling troubadour. Over the years, he’s tallied north of 1 billion streams, moved 1 million-plus albums worldwide, and even scored a gold certification for the single “I’d Rather Be With You.” His music has appeared in over 200 films, television series, and commercials. In addition to multiple showstopping appearances on Ellen (who also enlisted him to perform at her wedding) and Today Show, as well as performances on The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel LIVE!, and Conan, he contributed “Brand New Day” to a commercial in support of the troops at the request of First Ladies Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. He played to sold out crowds around the globe and shared the stage with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, Sheryl Crow, Tori Amos, Imogen Heap, and The Script. Not to mention, he’s a staunch philanthropist who supports Little Kids Rock and North Shore Animal League America (NSALA), among others. Thus far his catalog consists of nine full-length offerings highlighted by fan favorites such as We Were Here, Simple Times, Underwater, Wax Wings, and Here, Right Now, to name a few.
2021 saw him release The Ghost and The Wall to widespread acclaim. Parade hailed “Goodbye” as “breathy, gorgeous and intimate,” and American Songwriter promised, “A more beautiful set of ballads would be hard to come by.” Riff Magazine rated it “9-out-of-10,” while No Depression assured, “As long as Radin remains this honest and the melodies this sweet there’s every reason to believe he’ll have enough to say for his next 15 years in the business.”
However, he also left his previous life behind and traveled with nothing more than the essentials (and enough tools to be creative). Recorded in places such as Stockholm, Paris, and Lisbon, he translated this inspiration into though the world will tell me so, part 1. Whether it be the softly anthemic “i’m just different” or the shuddering piano and strings of “broken,” there’s no shortage of raw emotion captured in the moment. “my father’s eyes” echoes with warm nostalgia as he explores the differences between himself and his old man. “dancing dress” leans into an organic groove, and “running from the dawn” glistens with bright vocals, tambourine, and a lush guitar. This collection speaks to an eternal wanderlust and reliance on the ebb and flow of the environment around him.
“We’re always being told different things depending on which country we’re in and what corporation is in control,” he notes. “Every time the world’s telling me something it depends on which region I’m in. So the more regions I travel to, the more different experiences I’m going to have. I’ve realized my soul is aided by hopping on a different train and not knowing the destination. Every day is like a clean slate. I just know my purpose is to step on stage and try to make people feel. When fans come to my concerts, they don’t come to dance or party; they come to feel something. I write songs to connect with the rest of the world.”
No matter where the journey takes him, that’s exactly what he does on though the world will tell me so, part 1.