Kitchener, ON native Josh David has been working towards this day for a long time, and now it's here as he releases his debut Canadian country radio single, Safe Place To Break.
The singer-songwriter's trademark thus far in his career has been the connection he creates through his songs. He's also had the chance to show country music fans what he's got with opportunities to open for acts like Meghan Patrick and The Reklaws. It's chances like that, as well as getting his first single out to the world, that are going to give Josh David forward momentum and even more opportunities in the future.
We caught up with Josh for a three-part Q&A to talk about Safe Place To Break, learn a little more about him, and to play a round of 5 Quick Questions.
Check it all out now and stay tuned for more from Josh David.
Part 1 - The Song: Safe Place To Break
Q) You've been writing and singing and working for a few years now already, what's it like to look at the calendar and see Safe Place To Break 's release date?
A) It's a pretty surreal feeling. I always knew eventually I'd release a single to radio and whatnot, but now that it's actually here I could not be more excited!
Q) We know that as a songwriter you probably had 100 songs or more to choose from with your team when it was time to record and choose the single. Can you tell us about the "this is the one" moment that you all had with Safe Place To Break?
A) We all knew pretty instantaneously that this song was special and needed to be heard. When my label and manager heard it, we all got goosebumps and agreed this song was the one.
Q) The song is very sweet and loving, but when reading the lyrics, it doesn't seem to have to be taken at a romantic level. Do you see this as an "any friend that needs help" story or a "boy is there for the girl when she needs him" story?
A) That's the amazing thing about this song, It can be taken any way you'd want it to. Everyone has that "thing" which helps us feel safe whether it's God, your significant other, a friend, a movie, a song, or a place. For me personally my mom and god are my safe places to break.
Q) As a songwriter, how does it feel to cut and release Safe Place To Break, rather than have it be someone else's to take on the journey after you wrote it?
A) It's pretty special to be able to represent this song mainly due to the fact of how much this song speaks to me.
Q) If we put you on the spot (like we are) and asked what your goals for Safe Place To Break are, what would you tell us?
A) My main goal is for people to really take something from this song. Find that sense of clarity and safety in it. If I can impact even one person's day with a song I write, it makes it all worthwhile.
Part 2 - Learning About Josh David
Q) Help us give country music fans an idea of your sound and music. If you were putting your music on a playlist, who are five other artists you think should be on that playlist with you?
A) I would have to say Chris Young, Keith Whitley, Garth Brooks, Chris Stapleton, and Hardy.
Q) Who would you count as your biggest influence in country music, whether that's now as an emerging artist - or as a kid when you realized that this is what you want to do?
A) My biggest influence by far would have to be Garth Brooks. I was first introduced to Garth at a very young age and the second I heard him I was hooked. I had the pleasure of seeing him live 3 times on his last world tour. It was unreal! His live performance was second to none and his songs have really changed how I approach songwriting.
Q) Piggy-backing off of the when you were a kid idea, when did you start singing and writing? Was it something that happened early for you, or maybe a little later on?
A) I started singing when I was 4 years old and started performing when I was 8. The first song I ever wrote was when I was 11 years old. I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up from a very early age.
Q) You've had the opportunity to play a lot of cool songwriter's circles and showcase events over the last few years, is there anyone that you've played with that you would love to get the chance to write with?
A) I've been very fortunate to have been able to write with a lot of the people and showcase alongside many talented writers. But a couple that come to mind, I'd love the opportunity to write with, would be and Donovan Woods.
Q) What can you tell us about what's coming next/coming up for the rest of 2020?
A) I've got a lot of stuff lined up for 2020. A few tour dates out west and a radio tour coast to coast. I've already started working on the next single in the studio. Can't wait for y'all to hear it.
Part 3 - 5 Quick Questions
Q1) If you're on a long drive and you can only listen to 1 album as you head down the road, what album are you reaching for?
A) Either A.M. by Chris Young or Garths Brooks Ultimate hits album. Can't go wrong with either.
Q2) Let's play a little bit of the wish list game... is there a venue that is at the very top of your "I want to play there someday" list?
A) My dream venue by far would be the Grand Ole Opry.
Q3) Do you have a dream collaboration for a duet at the top of your wish list?
A) My dream duet would have to be a tie between Tenille Townes and Lauren Alaina.
Q4) If you weren't making your way with a career in music, what would you want to try for a career?
A) Helping people is huge to me! Therefore I would've probably considered being a police officer or a paramedic.
Q5) Last question, is there an artist, making any genre of music, that you think people should be paying more attention to than maybe they are right now?
A) There's a whole bunch of artists that I think people should really be taking in. To name a few would be Hardy, Tenille Townes, and Riley Green.
Many thanks again to Josh for taking the time to answer all of our questions and play a round of 5 Quick Questions with us. Hit play on Safe Place To Break if you haven't already, and stay tuned for more.
