Josh Lovelace was raised on folk music and intentional family time spent together around the tunes. This foundation is what inspired him to become a musician. So when he finally had the opportunity to create his own family album and "come full circle with those really happy memories I had with my family," he was thrilled to realize his passion in a project his own children could enjoy -- his debut solo album, "Young Folk."
"It's been really fun to see these songs being adopted [into] people's families," Lovelace shares from his home in Knoxville, Tenn. It's two weeks before he embarks on the "Forever On Your Side Tour" in his full-time position as keyboardist for South Carolina rock band NEEDTOBREATHE. "I don't have all the answers to being a parent, and I'm trying my best to be intentional with my kids, but it's amazing to me to see how many people have been inspired [by this music]. I've loved every minute of it, and it's been fun to have the support of the band to get to do it. It's been a really, really special thing to be a part of."
FAQ
NEEDTOBREATHE
‘Forever On Your Side Tour’
WHEN — 7 p.m. Sept. 27
WHERE — Walmart AMP in Rogers
COST — $30-$45
INFO — 443-5600, waltonartscenter.or…
BONUS — Johnnyswim and The Rocketboys will also perform.
That time spent solely responsible for all his own decisions and apart from NEEDTOBREATHE gave Lovelace a new-found appreciation for everything that goes into the group and for the collaborative nature of their process. Working with such talented musicians and writers has motivated him to strive to raise the calibre of his art in both his solo and group ventures, Lovelace says.
"I think stepping away from it for a little bit of time to do this project and then coming back and seeing what it is now, it's all tied together," he shares. "It's definitely inspired me to dig in even more with what we're doing in the band and hopefully continue to create songs that inspire people for as long as we're doing it."
And the "Forever On Your Side" EP is a step in that direction, Lovelace says. After their sixth studio album, "Hard Love," took a bit of a departure from the group's traditional sound, the new EP, out July 13, is very much a bridge to where the band is going next and how they're writing now. The live show reflects that growth as well, he adds.
"We've been able to regroup and remember why we're a band and why we tour," Lovelace says. "And with the sound and the lights and the production and the video and everything that we're doing this year, it's the biggest undertaking we've ever attempted. We feel like we're bringing our best show we've had since we've been a band. We've worked harder than we ever have."
NAN What's Up on 09/23/2018