Josh Lovelace is a proud work in progress: whether it’s quitting drinking to be more present for his kids, quelling panic attacks before stepping on stage, or just figuring out what he believes after a childhood of being told that there’s only one way to pray. Through all this turmoil, though, he’s had his touchstones, his shelters: loved ones, friends, and, of course, music.
“Writing has always been something that feels like a best friend in some ways; I’m able to lean on that any time,” Lovelace says. “I’ve never felt like I was ready to share where I am. Who I am at this moment feels like the right time to let all that out.”
And let it all out he does on landmark album Shelters, an 11-song suite of achingly personal tracks that ping-pong with alacrity between self-doubt, angst, and a stunning kind of hope. An album close to the heart that’s also deeply, deeply relatable to anyone who’s ever felt lost, Lovelace’s solo effort drops on October 25th.
Born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, Lovelace — who also plays keys and sings in South Carolina rock band NEEDTOBREATHE — grew up making music. He’s been a musician basically since birth, fed on a steady diet of rock, soul, gospel, folk, Elton John, and Bob Dylan—anyone with a story to tell. Lovelace has been touring in bands since high school ended, the only place he’s ever really felt at home. “I’ve been on the road most of my life, playing music and trying to keep the rock & roll dream alive. It’s what I’ve always done,” he says.
Working on the album, then, was like therapy. In 2022, he took a solo trip to Roslyn, Washington — where one of his comfort shows, Northern Exposure, was filmed — to finally put those 11 songs down on tape. “It was kind of a watershed thing for me,” he says. “I was able to really reckon with some of the things that have happened to me, whether it’s my fault or not, and start to deal with those things and not keep them hidden anymore.”
Today Glide is offering an exclusive premiere of the standout track “I Stopped Drinking Yesterday,” an ode to sobriety that finds Lovelace tapping into a poignant and dreamy folk-rock sound. Buoyed by rich harmonies, sprawling and eloquent piano, and a steady beat, the song is a catchy ballad that presents Lovelace as an artist ready to take the spotlight on his own. While there seem to be no shortage of songs and artists talking and lyricizing about transcending the boozy rock and roll lifestyle these days almost to the point of cliche, Lovelace gives us a strikingly original and direct anthem that feels soulful and cathartic without leaning too hard into self-help territory.
Josh describes the inspiration behind the tune:
I feel really lucky to be able to do what I love for a living. Playing music with my friends and getting to travel the world is a dream come true. With the highest of highs, the lows can also be extreme. Being away from family while dealing with anxiety and my own insecurities became really hard. Turning to drinking was a quick fix. After many tries at trying to quit, I finally gave it up almost 2 years ago. It was the best decision I’ve ever made. I wrote this song during one of my early attempts. Also honored to have one of my favorite drummers, Griffin Goldsmith from the band Dawes play on this song. I’m so proud of it all.
LISTEN:
