JOSH SCHWARTZ OF COOL COOL COOL ANNOUNCES SOLO PROJECT “JOSCH”
DEBUT SINGLE, “ICARUS IN MOTION,” OUT 9/6, SHOWS DIFFERENT SIDE OF LIFELONG SIDEMAN
MIAMI, FLORIDA - Josh Schwartz, known in the jam scene as the tall bari sax player and sometimes-singer from Turkuaz and Cool Cool Cool, is thrilled to unveil his solo project JOSCH (pronounced like his first name) with the release of his debut single “Icarus In Motion.”
Available on all streaming platforms 9/6, “Icarus is definitely a big departure from the music people associate with me, especially since there aren’t any horns on it,” Schwartz says. “This song and the other tunes I have ready under JOSCH are more in the vein of electro-pop. Lots of synths, lots of emotions. If you’re expecting horn-driven funk, you’re certainly in for a surprise!”
“Icarus” features Schwartz alone on all vocals and instruments, and indeed everything on the track is his brainchild. Aided in production and beat-making by producer/songwriter Rob O’Block, Schwartz has built a strong opening statement that channels the likes of James Blake and Hosier. The song is a modern day reimagining of the ancient Greek myth of Icarus, who ignored his father’s warning and flew too close to the sun, melting the wax that held his wings together and plummeting him to his death into the ocean. “I’ve always been fascinated by mythology, and my lyrics are often inspired by books I read,” Schwartz explains. “ With “Icarus,” I had the music and beat for a chorus but only filler nonsense lyrics. Then I was reading “The Power of Myth” by Joseph Campbell and he starts talking about the myth of Icarus. Being reminded of that tale and the poetic imagery of flying too close to the sun totally inspired me to write the actual lyrics.”
Over hard-hitting drums and droning bass, behind-the-beat vocals on “Icarus” sing of a man with a hard upbringing (“rough hands and dirty shoes/stranger to silver spoons”) who rises to great financial success (“you soar on guilded wings/keep score with gods and kings”); in the process, he becomes addicted to and obsessed with the material goods and pleasures he can now afford (“hungrily grasp for more/the endless spoils of war”). “A certain former President was definitely part of the inspiration for parts of this song,” says Josh. Will the man in the song succumb to his own hubris and greed or will he realize the folly of his ways and get a grip on his dangerous habits? You’ll just have to listen to find out.
In addition to the single, JOSCH will release an accompanying music video shortly after. Shot on 9mm film and directed by longtime collaborator Dani Barbieri of Two Truths Productions, the video will bring the imagery of Schwartz’s lyrics to life. Keep an eye, and an ear, out for what else JOSCH has in store for the world.
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Folder of Press Photos (by Dani Barbieri)