Q&A

GN: Later Tonight marks your full-length debut album. What do you want fans to feel the first time they press play?
JR: I want them to feel the excitement of going on the journey of my first album. I want it to feel as if they are at the live show and they get to go on the rollercoaster of emotions while enjoying new songs.

GN: You just hit #1 with “Single Again.” How did that moment feel, and what does it mean to you at this stage in your career?
JR: It’s probably one of the biggest moments if not the biggest. Something I set as a goal when I moved to town. Always wanted to hear my songs in the radio and “Single Again” will always be special cause of that.

GN: Your sound blends modern country with rock energy and raw emotion. How did you arrive at that signature style?
JR: I think it’s just a direct reflection of the person I am. I like to party have fun and rock out but then also I am someone who can be in their feels.

GN: You’ve collaborated with artists like Julia Michaels, Akon and shared the stage with Bailey Zimmerman, Jelly Roll, and Nickelback. What have you taken away from those experiences?
JR: I’ve definitely learned that everyone’s careers are not the same. We all have our own path and reasons for what we do. It’s been amazing to take the wisdom from acts like Nickelback and Luke Bryan but then also see how wild it is for someone like Jelly Roll to blowup. How to handle situations and how to treat your team like family on the road.

GN: From football fields in Canada to sold-out stages in the U.S., your career has been anything but conventional. What’s been the biggest lesson in that journey?
JR: That things happen when they are supposed to. I have enjoyed growing year after year as an artist and songwriter. It makes the wins extra special and I just wanna have longevity in this industry.

GN: Your songwriting has a reputation for being heart-on-the-sleeve and deeply relatable. What inspires your writing process most these days?
JR: Just actual life influence. What goes on at home and on the road along with my relationships, family and friends. I always wanna sing about things that are relevant to my life.

GN: Country music is becoming more global than ever. As a Canadian artist based in Nashville, how do you see yourself shaping that international wave?
JR: I would like to think I play a role in it. I feel like I have broken barriers and embraced that music doesn’t have borders. It’s so cool now that anyone in the world can find your music and become a fan.

GN: Touring with acts from Luke Bryan to Jelly Roll spans such different audiences. How do you approach winning over new crowds every night?
JR: Being honest with the fans and showing true emotion for the songs I sing. I think the biggest thing that is similar is if the crowds can relate to you they can appreciate that. Just being authentic with new crowds is best for me.

GN: Looking ahead, what do you hope Later Tonight represents in the bigger picture of who Josh Ross is as an artist?
JR: I hope it shows the depth to who I am. I hope the listeners feel like they get to know me. And also can relate. I’m not perfect and I'm learning each day and I hope the fans can hear that through the music.

GN: What does the term “Goodnight” mean to you?
JR: ‘Goodnight’ makes me think about winding down the night and what happens once the lights go off. Later Tonight is about those late-night moments. After the crowd, after the chaos, when it’s just you and whoever you’re thinking about. To me, ‘goodnight’ isn’t just the end of a day. It’s a promise that there’s something waiting later tonight.

Courtesy of photographer Lance Wilson - RUNCLUB Creative