We recently connected with Josh Moreland and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Josh thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
In 2014, I moved to Los Angeles with $34 Dollars in my pocket. All I can say is, where there is a will there is a way. My faith was up for the biggest challenge I had ever faced. By the time I got off the plane, I had $12 Dollars to my name, because of those expensive airplane snacks. Thank God for my good friend Marc Solomon (good friend of 10 years + who was a fellow musician and floridan as well) who picked me up and let me stay with him for 2 weeks. I just knew I needed to be in LA, my life and career depended on it. Taking this risk wasn’t easy, because I knew I was on my own and had to truly depend on God to provide. When I got to marks house, I knew I had to get straight to business and find a job, figure out a new place of residency. The only thing I could buy was orange juice bread and peanut butter, and some how afforded a week city transit ticket, can’t remember how I got that but, thank God it happened. This a long story, so I will make it short. Eventually found a job at Ralphs Grocery Job, found a new space to stay in with a few other friends who moved from Florida too. Thank God I never had to sleep outside. Lots to unravel in my journey.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Josh Moreland also known as Moreland is a recording artist from Bradenton, Florida…known for his big sound in which he calls “Battle Cry Music” which cuts across the genres of Pop/Rock & Soul with a cinematic edge to it, referred to as the roaring of the soul. Moreland is a singer/ songwriter and performer, whose tour and opening show collaborations include acts such as Jason Derulo, Stevie Wonder, Charlie Puth, Rick Ross, Ludacris and Far East Movement. Josh’s most recent tour was in South Korea on Jeju Island, which he held a residency for 7 months equalling to 182 Shows. Moreland’s sound and performance have been referenced to Imagine Dragons, Michael Jackson, John Legend, and Kanye West. His writing collaborations have included John Legend and Jamaican charting artist, Nature Ellis and many others.
My family was full of musicians, my Dad Robert C. Moreland Jr.- singer & multi-instrumentalist (keyboard, drums, horns, guitar – you name it. He plays by ear, super talented man, he was the choir director. My beautiful mother Gloria Jean Moreland led the praise and worship like no other, she could turn a dead crowd into roaring Lions!!! My oldest brother Tarel was the little drummer who could…he learned by observing at 4 years old and he never stopped since…he still plays at my Dad’s church til this day. My little brother Preston never tried to do music, but he was the reason I got into the business…Preston came home one day and heard me singing as usual and I’m sure he was fed up with me wasting my talent on the bathroom mirror. In an aggressive tone and knock to the door…my brother demanded my attention and presence. In my mind, I was ready to fight like brothers typically do, so when i answered the door i was quite upset, because I was minding my own business singing for about 3 hours at that point in the mirror just working on my skill and getting better…When I looked at his face, all remember seeing was a face of admiration and it made me put my guard down and anger to the side…and the next thing he said to me, changed my life forever and that’s why you have me as an artist today. Preston said…you gotta go do something with your voice, its absolutely beautiful, every time i hear you sing along with the radio, it sounds like you should be on the radio right along with them, the greats. I was mind blown by his words and a big smile stretched across my face, because no one had ever said anything about my voice like that ever. He was the first to say go outside these walls, go outside, find someone who can help put you on the map, an agent, a label, whatever because you should be heard. As a church kid, I was always singing in the choir but never thought of it as a business. No one in school or the sports teams I played on knew this big secret of mine. So I followed his advice. I was a year out high school at that point with dreams of still making it to the NFL. But God, had a different plan for my life . Now you will see how it unfolds. I’m forever thankful for my entire upbringing, it taught me how to pivot.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My music is made for the overlooked, forgotten, unseen…the people who know in their heart that it’s something greater for them, and that they matter and their perspective matters as well and brings substance, but they just need to be reminded of their value and greatness. Thats why I call my upcoming album “The End of Almost” for those who had moments of when they were just shy or short of their goal or dream. Well this album is the declaration and proclamation…in other words “The death of failure”. We kill failure with this album (EOA) album will inspire you to continue fighting and cross that finish line at all cost. Self love, Confidence, Reflection & Faith are already your inner powers and strength as a human & spiritual being. You are already equipped within to handle all challenges presented, thats why you were born to be you a creative and conquerer. Crossing the line for you. Elevates for us all. Taking us into the future with more vigor and perspective.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
The New Game of Life and How to Play It. Think & Grow Rich
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Success Principles
The Supreme Personality
Bob Proctors explains regarding the laws of success. Law of Sacrifice and compensation
The 4 Agreements
Contact Info:
- Website: www.MorelandMusic.com
- Instagram: @joshmoreland
- Facebook: @joshmorelandmusic
- Twitter: @joshmorelandnow
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/joshmoreland
- Other: Ceo of Vocal 360 www.vocal360.com
Image Credits
Profile & Press Shots – J.Simone @jssimonecreative Behind the scenes agency – Live Performance Shots @behindthescenesagency