An Adventure To “Find The Light”

Growing up in Irvine, CA ranked the safest city in the United States for five consecutive years was the easy part for eighteen-year-old Josh Cumbee. Staying out of trouble and staying entertained in a city that closes most of its doors at 9pm was the hard part. But Cumbee and his friends got creative, as boys often do.  He and his best friend, Jordan Lang, did everything, “from creating [their] own napalm and lighting it in the hills of Portola to drifting [their] SUV’s along the windy Skyline road.” At that point, life for Cumbee was about finding adventure, and deciding whether to take risks.

A different kind of adventure started for him at the age of six, when his father bought him a 10-key electric keyboard and taught him how to play a few church songs. Before he knew it,  he was on his way to train as a clasically trained pianist, while experimenting experimenting with jazz. His love for music eventually led him to play other instruments like guitar, bass, drums, french horn, and even the xylophone. From then on, Cumbee knew that music was going to be his future.

Then came that fateful day after applying to the music industry program at University of California (USC), one of the toughest programs to get into with an acceptance rate just below 10% for those who applied. USC loved his original soundtrack-type score that he submited for his application, and gave him a personal invitation to be part of the music industry program. It all came together. Cumbee took a risk and embarked on a new adventure–this time trading the laid-back and comfortable Irvine life, for a fast-paced and competitive Los Angeles one.

With only his second year at the prestigious university, Cumbee has been busy writing and recording his material. Cumbee scored for a film called “To Die Alone” by Trevor Smith. Cumbee says, “I absolutely love scoring for a film, it’s one of my favorite things to do and I wish I had more opportunities to translate emotion from the silver screen to the speakers beside it.” In Spring 2009, he was approached by Cameron Ernst, the liason for Invisible Children at USC to record a hip-hop song for a music video to promote a promotional non-profit event called “The Rescue.” Cumbee came back with the song, “The Injury” and recorded the music video which had about 2,700 hits on Youtube.

Influenced by artists like Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, Jason Mraz, and Hans Zimmer, Cumbee takes risks with his music,  an eclectic mix that ranges from alternative, pop, rock, folk, and even film scores. “I’m a highly visual writer,” says Cumbee. “I like to imagine a scene and a setting and the emotions people in that environment go through.”  One emotion he tries to convey in his song “Find the Light” is one of hope through dark times. It was released this summer as a single on iTunes and can also be heard on Myspace. You can also obtain some free tracks at Reverbnation, including his song, “The Injury.” Now if you can’t get enough of his music, he also blogs too. And yes ladies, he’s currently single. Maybe you can go on adventure with him to “find the light,” or at least let him seranade you in the process.

To find out more of Josh Cumbee’s identity revealed, check out the rest of the interview:

IR: You write your own material–describe the songwriting process for you.

JC: Unfortunately for all of us, I absolutely suck at reading notes and notation, and have subconciously chosen to compensate by upping my game in the improv area. Generally I’ll sit down and think about an emotion, scene, or past memory and just play whatever comes to mind. Honestly I generally don’t even think about what I’m playing, so a lot of the time I’ll leave a recorder on or have a cowriter with me to catch stuff they like (I’ve been working a lot with Jonathan Langley lately, he’s the man and a half). Once I (or we) have got a melodic shell down I’ll generally slap some lyrics on it, leave it for a bit, then come back and edit it to try and refine a sound and bring the song to a point.

IR: What are your songs generally about?

JC: Once again depends a lot. Sometimes a concept, like being a jaded guy who’s afraid to admit they’re in love, a situation (like the day-after-breakup feelings), or even an event (like my summer itunes release “Find the Light”). Really whatever strikes me or doesn’t result in a total garbage improv will at least get to a fleshing out stage.

IR: What kinds of obstacles have you had to overcome so far as a musician and an artist? How did you overcome it?

JC: Mostly fear. Being an artist is absolutely terrifying, because so many people try and fail miserably and end up living at home eating Cup of Noodles (nothing against either of those, they’re just not my thing). I spent a good year or so fighting with myself, trying to get over being afraid of not being good enough or having a final product worthy of release. Finally, after months of work and encouragement from family, friends, and fraternity, I went ahead with my summer release and was overwhelmed with the positive response (there was even interest generated in Finland!!).

IR: Are there any albums coming on the way?

JC: Absolutely, and if you thought “Find the Light” was good (or even bearable) I think ya’ll will really enjoy the new stuff. It spans a much broader topic base, and covers a lot of emotions that are really hard to say with words alone, but can be expressed through melodic and lyrical harmony. It’s going to be a 4-7 song EP entitled “How to Say This”, and will focus on the expression of things that can’t ordinarily be said through music (or at least that’s the goal, we’ll see how it goes). I’d really like to have it out before January, but we’ll see how the business side of my career goes.

IR: What are your immediate music career goals for the next 1 to 3 years?

JC: Great segway! Right now I’m really looking for a sync opportunity for my music (getting it placed in film, television, etc) to get a name out and make a little cash to fund my more ambitious projects. I’d also love to get into writing for other artists, and possibly selling some of my catalogue. Though I do love the artist schtick and do intend on continuing to record and perform my new stuff, school has still gotta come first (and touring is quite inconvenient, even with no class on Fridays!).

IR: What are your long-term career goals?

JC: Ahh, the question every music industry student fears most. The problem with MI is it’s all so much fun its hard to pick what you want to specialize in, especially when you’re a jack of all trades and master of none (my unfortunate situation). Most likely at this point I’d like to continue on my path as a recording artist for three or four years and make some good money and enough of a name to start work as a producer for Christian music (a field I believe is sickly fraught with lethargic songwriting and production). If after a good decade or so of that I’m feelin’ something fresh I’d love to come back to USC and get a masters in Scoring for Film and Television and move into making music for film, but let’s not get too crazy. Until then, looks like I’ll be taking it one day at a time.

IR: Here’s a fun question: As a spirited Trojan, what are you involved in at USC?

Where to begin? I guess I could start by saying that I whole-heartedly adore USC, everything about that college makes me excited for my time there and the career to come. I’m currently pursuing a Music Industry degree (Bachelor of Science), and will probably graduate in May of 2011. In the interim I’ve been busy with reppin’ the school spirit at football and basketball games, getting involved in my fantastic fraternity (Alpha Gamma Omega), and of late performing in the USC Repertory Dance Company.

IR: Oh, so you dance too? Do you act as well?

JC: Truth be told, I didn’t have any prior experience with either of those items until last spring, when one of my fraternity brothers dared me to go try out for a dance company on campus. Not being one to turn down a challenge or chance at personal humiliation, I went. Needless to say, my clumsy feet turned even the simplest jazz step into an abomination, and the the softest jump into at least a 3.5 earthquake. However in their endless compassion and bemusement, the other dancers took me in and gave me a crash course in hip hop, theatrical jazz, and even some ballet, and I’m happy to say I’ve been dancing ever since. And as far as acting goes, you’re better off not knowing (yes it is that bad).

*All photos courtesy of Josh Cumbee

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