Joel Crouse Interview – 2014

*edited for viewing content

If you’ve never listened to one of his songs, then you’re missing out! Crouse is a 22 year old singer/songwriter hailing from Massachusetts. His debut album, “Even the River Runs,” was released this past summer. His current single is “Why God Made Love Songs.” I recently had a chance to chat with Joel over the phone, here is what he had to say:

You’ve been quoted as saying that you want to “tell your own story”. Your songs are all personal. Why is it so important to you and who you are as an artist to put out your own music?

That’s actually kinda spot on to what I’ve been thinking about the last week or two. I’m currently writing for my second record. I’m listening to country radio. The artists I really love, as far as singer/songwriters go, I’d definitely say I am on the level with them. I think we tend to put ourselves into the songs more. I mean I can sit and write a song about anything. You could give me any topic and I could sit down and write about it. Although if it’s gonna go on my album, its gonna be my message to the rest of the world and then I’ll need to make it my story.

On the next album, will it be all of your own music or will you be recording songs from any other writers?

As of now, it’s still my music. I’m not opposed to cutting other writer’s songs, but I’d have be able to relate to it. You can’t sing something you don’t relate to.

You did write all ten songs on your album. That isn’t something we typically see on an artist’s debut album. Was that something your record label was supportive of or did you have to fight for it?

My label was actually very supportive of the music I made. They didn’t even touch my record. I produced the record with Jamie Houston. He and I pretty much are like a writing team at this point. Here’s the thing, I wrote this record between the ages of 17 and 19. So, in a 19 year old frame of mind, I probably didn’t know if they were gonna let me use all my songs or not. I’m very happy they did.

That leads right into my next questions perfectly. You were 17 when you signed your first demo deal, and 19 when you got signed to Show Dog Universal. Your songs/lyrics have a maturity and flow to them of someone older than what you are. Where does that and your inspiration for songwriting come from?

When I was 12 or 13, I was just watching a Lenny Kravitz music video for “Fly Away.” It was the first music video I saw when I was 7 years old. This is way off topic, but it’s gonna flow into what I’m saying I promise. I was watching this video, and I wasn’t supposed to be watching MTV. I’m looking over my shoulder making sure my mom doesn’t see me and I’m just looking at this dude rock out on the guitar. It was like one big party, and I wanted to do that when I was older. Not necessarily to do the Lenny Kravitz thing, but to be a musician/songwriter. When I was 12, I got a guitar and started writing songs. I’ve been writing songs for the last 10 years, so my best ones are probably from the last 5 years. I’ve been told by a lot of people that I’m a bit of an older soul. I guess that I just want to write music that people really relate to and feel emotionally. I said, in an interview once, “I want to write the songs that people want to listen to Monday through Friday in their cars.” It’s cool to have a party song here and there, but I want to write songs that people just listen to on their own because they dig it and they can relate to it.

Well I think you accomplished that with the first album. We’re excited to hear the second album.

It’s cool and funny how you progress as a songwriter and a musician and everything. It’s also cool to see that while working on the second record. It’s definitely a lot more honest and more personal, which I’m excited about.

Did you start songwriting first or was guitar playing your first passion?

I kinda did all at the same time. I just wanted to be in a band!

It kind of just developed in a progression then for you?

Yeah, for sure. I had a band when I was 15 and everyone else was older than I was. I sang and someone else wrote the songs. We went up and down the East coast touring. So, technically I’ve been on the road the last 7 years just playing in bars and clubs. Then, on to doing stuff with Darius Rucker, Taylor Swift and other country acts. It’s really been a fun progression.

What do you love most about performing?

It’s probably one that’s reassuring, I don’t know? When you get on stage, for however long

you’re playing…whether it’s 20 minutes, 45 minutes or even 2 hours…in that time frame nothing else matters besides the songs and the people you are in front of. I think you can tell with your performances on stage, you leave it all out there, and it’s all or nothing for the set you play!

Do you have a favorite song you like to do live? It can be one of yours or a cover.

We changed up our live show, right around the time that we played at Taste of Country. It’s cool to change up your set every year, put new covers in, but lately we’ve been rocking a four piece band. It’s kinda been country, but with a rock vibe. So we cover a song or two. We like performing my tunes, “Don’t Tell Me” is probably one of our favorites to play live. “Whiskey and Weed” is definitely one of the band’s and my favorite songs to play. It just really grabs people’s attention.

Is “Don’t Tell Me” your favorite song off the album or do you have another favorite? Is there any particular reason why?

I’d probably say “Ruby Puts Her Red Dress On” is my favorite. It was the only song that really had a personal connection with me. It was the first story/song for me, without having to be in the story. It was cool to write it from that perspective. Also, at the same time, I had two of my best friends go to Afghanistan and a buddy of mine had lost his wife a while back. You just kind of channel those types of emotions. “Ruby” was just one of my favorite songs. One, I really dig the track. It’s got a really cool, Fleetwood Mac/Eagles kinda vibe on it. Two, it has a really cool story. “Don’t Tell Me” is a fun song and I just like playing that one live. It’s a really, really good time, it is a classic two step kind of country song.

If you could be on CMT Crossroads and do collaboration with any artist who would you pick?

I’d like to perform with Tom Petty, the Eagles or Fleetwood Mac.

You’ve gotten to tour with some pretty big acts like the Band Perry, Taylor Swift and Darius Rucker. What have you learned from being out on the road with such successful artists like that?

Touring with those three, gave me a chance to watch them on stage. I learned things from those artists on stage and off. Obviously, the Taylor tour was such a huge production, just a massive tour. It was insane! You’d walk in and there would be like 300 people just from her camp. You learn so much about the industry, stage presence and you kinda learn how to run your business as an artist. It’s cool making friends with new people and that helps you out in the long run.

How about your Opry debut? You did that back in May of 2013 and you’ve been invited back a few times. What was it like to perform there?

The Opry is just an honor, it really is! The history there is ridiculous with country music. It’s a privilege to be able to play it and whenever I’m in town. If they ask me to come back, and I’m in town, I’ll always come back. Because they gave me a shot straight out when I was a new artist in 2013, and I appreciate that. So it was really cool to make my Opry debut and people from back home in Massachusetts thought it was crazy. I guess I’ll always have a strong appreciation for the Opry and those that work there and being able to be a part of those shows.

It’s cool to think about how many people have stood there before you and who’s going to come after you. You’re a part of history now and that’s very cool.

I never looked at it that way, but that’s pretty cool.

You’re currently on the road with Love and Theft and those guys are pretty recognizable when people are walking down the street. Has it gotten harder for you to do things when out in public?

Not really, I mean I guess it just depends on what area I’m in. I’m not walking around like Austin Mahone with 6 bodyguards. It’s flattering when random people come up and say “I dig your music.” For me, I don’t expect it because that’s not why you’re doing it. I get more compliments back home and in Nashville and some other cities as well. It’s really cool!

Is there anything you can’t live without while on the road?

My headphones, my phone and my guitar.

What do you miss most about home when you’re on the road?

I think the thing I miss most, is probably the consistency of being home for a couple days. But then again, I get kinda cabin fever after a couple days and have to go back out on the road.

What do you do in your down time (not music related)? Do you have any hobbies?

I usually just work out and hang out with people, maybe go out to like a dive bar kinda thing. It’s usually pretty chill because we do so much on the road, it’s kinda nice to just not do anything.

How long have you and your band been playing together for?

I’ve been playing with my drummer Tre, he started playing with me in the middle of the Red Tour, back in summer of 2013. Kyle’s been with me, I wanna say I was 19, so that’s 3 years. And Nigel he’s the bass player, he just recently came on.

So you guys just clicked right away?

Definitely! Tre, Kyle and I have been playing together for a while, we naturally just clicked. I’m really band oriented. I like to be very involved with the band and making sure the shows, people are getting what they paid for. I spend a lot of time with them, and you can get the best player in the world but if you don’t know, I hate to sound like some hippie or something, but if you don’t vibe on stage it’s just not gonna translate to the crowd, I believe. I try to find people that work together and play together well on stage.

That makes sense. We want to know, you haven’t posted any #dressingroomsessions in a while. Are we going to get any more of those video clips in the future?

Yeah I think so. I think Love and Theft and I are probably gonna do one. So it has been a while. I apologize. I hope people understand. It’s been crazy here with the new songs and recording and touring and everything but well definitely get a #dressingroomsession up soon.

Do you have a tentative release date for a single off the new album?

Not yet, but early next year. Within the first few months or so.

Where do you want to see your career go in the next 5-10 years?

As long as I’m making and writing my own music/stories, touring and keep building my fan base, as well as supporting country radio. I’ll be pretty content. Hopefully with more of a fan base, I want to keep that going.

Well thank you very much. That’s all the questions I had here. I really appreciate you taking the time to call in and do this for us.

For sure. Thank you.