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Josh Rouse performs in the Radio Heartland studio

  Play Now [21:18]

by Mike Pengra

June 09, 2015

Josh Rouse performs in the Radio Heartland studio
Josh Rouse performs in the Radio Heartland studio
MPR photo/Leah Garaas

I've always thought there was something vaguely familiar about Josh Rouse's music. Not that I recognized any melodies or lyrics, but every now and then, I'm brought back to another part of my own life during his music.

It turns out that Rouse was influenced by some very familiar names in the industry … ones many of us recognize: Neil Young, John Lennon and Paul McCartney. But the one that surprised me was (drum roll!) — Burt Bacharach.

Of course! There's that major seventh chord!

Josh Rouse lives in Spain these days, but has a Midwestern background. His latest album is The Embers of Time, out on Yep Roc Records. During a recent tour, he passed through the Radio Heartland studio with his Martin guitar and his harmonicas for a chat and some live music.

Songs Performed


"Worried Blues"
"New Young"
"You Walked Through the Door"
All songs off Josh Rouse's album, The Embers of Time, out now on Yep Roc Records.

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