Having released music both on a major label and through the indies, Cleveland songwriter Joshua Radin now does things all by himself.
His last two studio albums – 2013’s Wax Wings and this January’s Onward And Sideways – were both completely self-released. Although he is quick to admit that there are many obstacles that one encounters under the DIY ethic, the end result is more than worth the trials and tribulations.
“It feels great,” Radin affirms from a hotel room in Stockholm. “There are pros and cons, of course. The pros outweigh the cons for me, which is exactly why I do it. At the same time, though, you can be making new music all the time and have it slip your radar. I’ll have people come up to me at shows and ask when I’m putting out a new record. I’m like, ‘Do you mean apart from the one I put out in January?’ And they have no idea what I’m talking about! At the end of the day, though, it comes down to the question of, would you rather self-release and do it all yourself, with no cooks in the kitchen but you, or have the machine involved and people telling you how to create and release and what you’re allowed to record? I got really tired of collaborating on creativity with people that weren’t creative. I’d much rather have someone discover my music later and really enjoy it than have a bunch of suits trying to make my choruses bigger.”
Onward And Sideways, Radin’s sixth LP overall, is a further extension of the warm, folk-driven songwriting that has seen him featured in several films and television shows, as well as sharing the stage with several superstars of the music world. One of them is Sheryl Crow, who appears on the track ‘Beautiful Day’ – a song originally featured on Wax Wings but re-recorded as a duet for the new album.
“The producer of the track is a guy named Jeff Trott,” Radin explains. “He’s worked on a few tracks of mine, he’s a great guy and has written a lot with Cheryl. They’ve been working together for years. I met Cheryl when I supported her on tour in the Midwest. She was so lovely and I’ve always wanted to collaborate in some way. I thought it was the perfect opportunity to make it happen. She did her part from her home studio in Nashville, and I was on tour in Stockholm at the time – we pretty much finished the whole thing over Skype! She’s such a confident pro – she did all of her harmonies in one take.”
The song has since found a third life, having been selected to be taught to a class full of children as a part of Radin’s work with non-profit organisation Little Kids Rock. Radin has been working with the group for four years now, and still gets as much out of his philanthropy, if not more.
“It’s an amazing organisation,” he says. “Having been an art teacher for little kids myself when I lived in Chicago, I just love working with kids. I come in whenever I’m on tour and talk to the kids about playing music and what it’s like to be a professional musician. They learn one of my songs and come up onstage with me to play it that night. Sometimes I’ll even show them the tour bus – they love that! The biggest kick is when I see their faces when everyone cheers. The smiles on their faces… you can tell it’s something that they’re never going to forget. It’s become my favourite part of the show, actually, whenever we get the chance to do it.”
Next up for Radin is a visit to Australia, where he has found quite the following and is always enthusiastic about returning. Why? Simple – he’s caught onto a geographical theory that Australia is the most chilled-out location on Earth.
“Not only is it such a beautiful country, but the people are so lovely,” he begins. “Here in America, right, we’ve got the East Coast, where everyone is really uptight. Then you get to the Midwest, where I grew up, where everyone is really honest and friendly. The further west you go, the more chill the people are. Everyone’s really chill on the West Coast, then even more chill in Hawaii, and then you just keep going until you get to Australia – that’s the most chill place in the world!”
A heads up if you’re at any of the upcoming shows and you’re either an expecting or upcoming parent: Radin’s current merch includes an Onward And Sideways baby onesie. For real. “A few of my friends have already sent me pictures of their babies wearing them,” says Radin with a laugh. “We’re brainwashing them early!”
Surely this would be Radin’s favourite bit of merch that he has on sale? “It’s actually my hoodie!” he replies. “I gave them to all of my band, though, because they’re the best thing that you can have on tour. I can’t wear it, unfortunately, because it’s got my name on it. I ended up having to get them to make me one without my name on it!”
Onward And Sideways is out now through Glass Bead.Joshua Radin appears at the Metro Theatre onThursday September 10, with David Lazarus.
