Joshua Eagle

For nearly six years, singer/songwriter Josh Eagle, a third-year communication student at the University of Cincinnati, has been playing his acoustic guitar at coffeehouses, bars and small get-togethers for audiences appreciating songs for their pure beauty - not catchy hooks.

Eagle, 23, released his debut album Truthful Beginnings on April 13 at Arnold's Bar & Grill in downtown Cincinnati. The album, produced by Tommy Cappel and Eagle himself at AjumpsBshoots Recording Studio in Norwood, is a soft, sincere folk-tune record reflecting on the trials and tribulations of his life.

"It's just Sunday morning music," Eagle said. "It's the first time I've ever felt honest about anything. I'm trying to find positive energy instead of just cutting things out of my life like I was doing [when writing some of the songs]."

When Eagle begins finger picking, you can almost instantly pinpoint his musical influences - perhaps best described as a fusion of Neil Young and Nick Drake - and attributes his local success to his use of the harmonica, which he calls "a lost art." Songs like "Daisy" and "Truthful Ending," both about a relationship gone awry, open with soft, resounding harmonicas that amplify the emotional anguish Eagle experienced.

"I think it's the harmonica that grabs people," Eagle said. "You really don't hear it that often anymore."

Playing mostly shows at bars in the Clifton and Northside area, Eagle's music isn't the most upbeat, get-up-and-dance cover tune music many other entertainers rely on for a college-aged fan base - and he knows that.

"Maybe it's me being arrogant," Eagle said, "but I believe in my songs, and I'm just thankful people lend their eyes and ears to listen - it means a lot to me."

Eagle said he doesn't play many covers because he has so much of his own songs he works on; he doesn't contribute much time to learning other artists' songs.

"You'd never think as a writer and musician, [making an album] would be so hard," Eagle said. "I'm my own manager and I promote myself, which is extremely difficult. It's the hardest thing I've ever done and I've never felt as gratified as I do now."
Eagle said he never thought about making an album until producer and friend Cappel started recording one song for a tribute album and just kept going.

"I'm just glad that nine months of long, hard work is finally coming to fruition," Eagle said. "I feel good about it - if it hits me right, I know it'll hit someone else right."

Truthful Beginnings is Eagle's first solo record, but he said he has plans to make another with a band he's recently enlisted to begin recording with soon.

"I don't plan on being a superstar," Eagle said. "I think that's just ridiculous. I don't do it for the money, I do it to share my stories with people through music."

Eagle said the next record won't be as folky and simple as Truthful Beginnings, but more of a collaborative effort between himself and his band.

"[Truthful Beginnings] is me and my thoughts," Eagle said. "None of it is fictitious. It's about family, relationships and personal demons. I'm starting anew."


- News Record (University of Cincinnati)

For nearly six years, singer/songwriter Josh Eagle, a third-year communication student at the University of Cincinnati, has been playing his acoustic guitar at coffeehouses, bars and small get-togethers for audiences appreciating songs for their pure beauty - not catchy hooks.

Eagle, 23, released his debut album Truthful Beginnings on April 13 at Arnold's Bar & Grill in downtown Cincinnati. The album, produced by Tommy Cappel and Eagle himself at AjumpsBshoots Recording Studio in Norwood, is a soft, sincere folk-tune record reflecting on the trials and tribulations of his life.

"It's just Sunday morning music," Eagle said. "It's the first time I've ever felt honest about anything. I'm trying to find positive energy instead of just cutting things out of my life like I was doing [when writing some of the songs]."

When Eagle begins finger picking, you can almost instantly pinpoint his musical influences - perhaps best described as a fusion of Neil Young and Nick Drake - and attributes his local success to his use of the harmonica, which he calls "a lost art." Songs like "Daisy" and "Truthful Ending," both about a relationship gone awry, open with soft, resounding harmonicas that amplify the emotional anguish Eagle experienced.

"I think it's the harmonica that grabs people," Eagle said. "You really don't hear it that often anymore."

Playing mostly shows at bars in the Clifton and Northside area, Eagle's music isn't the most upbeat, get-up-and-dance cover tune music many other entertainers rely on for a college-aged fan base - and he knows that.

"Maybe it's me being arrogant," Eagle said, "but I believe in my songs, and I'm just thankful people lend their eyes and ears to listen - it means a lot to me."

Eagle said he doesn't play many covers because he has so much of his own songs he works on; he doesn't contribute much time to learning other artists' songs.

"You'd never think as a writer and musician, [making an album] would be so hard," Eagle said. "I'm my own manager and I promote myself, which is extremely difficult. It's the hardest thing I've ever done and I've never felt as gratified as I do now."
Eagle said he never thought about making an album until producer and friend Cappel started recording one song for a tribute album and just kept going.

"I'm just glad that nine months of long, hard work is finally coming to fruition," Eagle said. "I feel good about it - if it hits me right, I know it'll hit someone else right."

Truthful Beginnings is Eagle's first solo record, but he said he has plans to make another with a band he's recently enlisted to begin recording with soon.

"I don't plan on being a superstar," Eagle said. "I think that's just ridiculous. I don't do it for the money, I do it to share my stories with people through music."

Eagle said the next record won't be as folky and simple as Truthful Beginnings, but more of a collaborative effort between himself and his band.

"[Truthful Beginnings] is me and my thoughts," Eagle said. "None of it is fictitious. It's about family, relationships and personal demons. I'm starting anew."


- News Record (University of Cincinnati)

JOSHUA EAGLE/Truthful Beginnings: New singer songwriter that has learned his lessons from the pros and doesn’t write songs that sound like they were written on anti-depressants. If you like it a touch on the twee side, this is an interesting offering from a new cat on a local scene.
- Midwest Record

JOSHUA EAGLE/Truthful Beginnings: New singer songwriter that has learned his lessons from the pros and doesn’t write songs that sound like they were written on anti-depressants. If you like it a touch on the twee side, this is an interesting offering from a new cat on a local scene.
- Midwest Record