Outpost in the Burbs’ fall season kick off with two back-to-back shows: Josh Rouse on Sept. 14, and Martin Sexton on Sept. 15, both at First Congregational Church, 40 South Fullerton Ave. There is a special discount available when patrons purchase tickets to both shows. A VIP ticket with reserved seating and artist meet-and-greet is available for the Martin Sexton show. All concerts begin at 8 p.m. The full fall schedule continues with James Maddock, Sept. 29; The Jayhawks (doors open 7 p.m.), Oct. 12; The Lone Bellow, Nov. 3; Willie Nile, Nov. 9; Lucy Kaplansky, Nov. 16; Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams, Dec. 8; Ryley Walker (New Voices Series), Dec. 15.
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About Josh Rouse, from Outpost:
Josh Rouse was born in Nebraska, and following an itinerant upbringing he eventually landed in Nashville where he recorded his debut Dressed Like Nebraska (1998). The album’s acclaim led to tours with Aimee Mann, Mark Etzel and the late Vic Chestnut. The followup- Home (2000)—yielded the song “Directions” which Cameron Crowe used in his film Vanilla Sky.
“Every time I’ve made a record, I’ve tried to make it different from the last one,” says Rouse. “I always became fascinated by a different style of music. But at the end of the day, no matter how eclectic I try to make it, it’s my voice and melodic sensibility that tie things together.”
For his breakthrough album, “1972” (2003), which happens to be the year he was born, Rouse decided to cheer up a bit. Noting that he’d earned a reputation for melancholy, he says, with a laugh, “I figured this is my career, I might as well try to enjoy it.” While the Seventies are often identified with singer-songwriters, Rouse was primarily attracted to the warmer sound of albums back then, as well as the more communal feel of the soul music of that time. The follow up, Nashville (2005) continued the hot streak and expanded his audience further.
After relocating to Valencia, Spain with his wife Paz, Rouse has released a steady stream of high quality songs and albums. Subtitulo (2006) contained the international indie folk hit “Quiet Town”. On El Turista (2010) he even experimented with writing and singing some songs in Spanish. In 2014, he won a Goya Award (the Spanish equivalent of an Oscar) for best song for “Do You Really Want To Be In Love,” from the film ‘La Gran Familia Española.’
His most recent release, The Embers of Time, was one of his strongest—self-described as “my surreal, ex-pat, therapy record.” Charles Pitter astutely noted in Pop Matters. “The critics may long for drama and scandal, but The Embers of Time often demonstrates that a simple life could be for the best.”
About The Outpost: Outpost in the Burbs is an all-volunteer nonprofit outreach organization in Montclair dedicated to building community through music, community service, and cultural events. For over 30 years, the Outpost has presented more than 450 concerts by internationally known artists such as Judy Collins, Roger McGuinn,, Jorma Kaukonen, Jimmy Webb, Richie Havens, J.D. Souther, The Jayhawks, Nick Lowe, and Dar Williams. In addition to promoting and staffing concerts, Outpost volunteers have donated many hours of their time through programs affiliated with Habitat for Humanity, Toys for Tots, the Human Needs Food Pantry of Montclair, the Community Food Bank of N.J., Dress for Success, MESH (Montclair Emergency Services for the Homeless), and a soup kitchen run by Outpost volunteers in Orange, NJ.
In addition, on Oct. 6, Outpost in the Burbs will co-sponsor a Benefit Concert for NJArts.net featuring Richard Barone and James Mastro, Glenn Mercer, and Elk City, at Tierney’s Tavern, 136 Valley Road.
For more information, visit outpostintheburbs.org or call 973-744-6560.