There isn’t much about Cleveland that Cincinnatians will admit to liking — it’s a bitter rivalry we just can’t move past. Cleveland did, however, offer us one very good reason to love them.
Raised in Cleveland, singer-songwriter Joshua Radin quickly rose to success with his soft-spoken lyrics and acoustic guitar. Easily as talented as the likes of Gavin DeGraw or Jason Mraz, Radin’s music has never quite made its way to Pop radio. Instead, he’s earned notoriety from the overwhelming amount of times his songs have been used on television and in movies. At the urging of his friend, actor Zach Braff, Radin’s music popped up on multiple episodes of Scrubs. From there, it was only a matter of time before his music frequented shows like Grey’s Anatomy and One Tree Hill.
Radin’s latest album, 2010’s The Rock and The Tide, may have tried a little too hard to break the acoustic mold of his previous records, featuring some trite lyricism and employing more electric instrumentation, which didn’t quite mix with Radin’s often whispered vocals. Though it left most of his fans hoping for a return of his former style, The Rock and The Tide was overall a solid effort and decent third album.
For Radin’s return to Ohio, expect city rivalries to be drowned out by some oh-so-sweet love songs.
JOSHUA RADIN performs Monday, July 23 with guests Tristan Prettyman and My Name is You at 20th Century Theatre in Oakley. Buy tickets, check out performance times and get venue details here.
