Despite a bad case of wanderlust, when he takes the stage each night, Josh Eagle makes a point to remember his roots.
Frontman for Josh Eagle and The Harvest City, Eagle said the troupe closes each show with one of the most emotional songs he has ever written, “Pledge Allegiance.” The song — off the unsigned troupe’s most recent album, A Good One is Hard to Find — pays homage to Eagle’s hometown of Cincinnati.
“It includes places that I like to go and bridges that I cross,” Eagle said. “It’s about the most emotional and most powerful of a feeling I think my body can even take. It’s me saying thanks to my hometown.”
In the past year, the band received three nominations at the Cincinnati Entertainment Awards, securing the award for best singer-songwriter.
“I was very much shocked because the folks who were in that category were phenomenal singer-songwriters that I look up to, and Cincinnati is insane with how much good local music there is,” Eagle said.
For three years, Josh Eagle and The Harvest City have been known for their soulful and personal lyrics that create an enjoyable atmosphere relatable to any bystander. The band draws inspiration from artists such as Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, Dead Poets and The Ramones, Eagle said.
“We are folk rock, but we kind of just create our own sound,” said Mark Becknell, the band’s drummer and songwriter. “Different songs just hit on different levels of what people like.”
Josh Eagle and the Harvest City will play a free show at The Front Room Thursday at 8 p.m. as part of Campus Involvement Center’s weekly Emerging Artists Series. The crew will then head to Casa Nueva, 4 W. State St., Friday night at 10 p.m.
Tim Peacock, booking agent for Casa Nueva, said the bar is excited to host the folk-rock band, especially because of its Ohio roots.
“We love hosting bands from Ohio, and we think Casa regulars and newcomers will love Josh Eagle and the Harvest City,? Peacock said. “And with Corbin Marsh Band and Supertape on the bill, it is going to be a great night.”
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