Sept. 5, 2023 –– Emerging Miami-based electro-pop artist JOSCH has released “Icarus in Motion,” the first single from his forthcoming debut solo album, “Ethereality.” Inspired sonically by James Blake and classic hip-hop and lyrically by Joseph Campbell and ancient mythology, the track explodes into existence with an a’cappella chorus: “High above it all, far from the commotion / but you’re about to fall… Icarus in motion.” Over hard-hitting drums and droning bass, Schwartz’s ethereal, behind-the-beat vocals 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 gilded 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”). Stream “Icarus in Motion” on Spotify HERE. 

“Once I got the idea for the song, I kept imagining Patrick Bateman from ‘American Psycho’ as I thought about the insatiable appetite and drive of my protagonist,” says Schwartz. “I also grew up outside NYC in a town where it seemed like most kids strove for that life of material wealth without real meaning or purpose; I always felt a bit alienated because I chose to follow my passion instead of chasing paper. In a way, this song is a critique of everything that made me feel less-than.” Will the song’s protagonist 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.

Originally conceived in Schwartz's home studio in the early days of the pandemic, "Icarus" was a demo featuring Schwartz alone on vocals and most instruments. Nashville-based co-producer Rob O’Block brought the demo to life with drum programming and other pre-production magic. With “Icarus,” 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 inspired me to write the actual lyrics.”

In addition to the single, JOSCH will release an accompanying music video shortly after. Shot on Super 8mm film and directed by longtime collaborator Dani Barbieri of Two Truths Production, 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.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Drawing from a wide pool of inspirations ranging from funk, R&B and electronic music to soul, pop and lyrically-based folk music, electro-pop artist Josh Schwartz, A.K.A. JOSCH (pronounced like ‘Josh’), spent the last two years touring North America with Zac Brown Band (on their 2022 “Out In The Middle” stadium tour) and rock and roll legends Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew (on their 2023 “Remain In Light” tour). He spent the previous decade touring internationally with indie funk band Turkuaz. As a baritone sax player and featured vocalist in all these settings, he has often been at home on the sidelines of the stage; now, with the birth of his solo project, JOSCH is ready to take center stage and share with the world even more of his creative contributions.