CROUSE Premieres “Paranoid” Lyric Video–With Imagery Of The World’s Chaos–on AXS.com

DATE: OCTOBER 11, 2017

FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/MIKE GOWEN/LYNDIE WENNER

MSO PR

CROUSE

–ALT-ROCK ARTIST–

PREMIERES LYRIC VIDEO FOR “PARANOID,”

WHICH CONTAINS IMAGERY OF THE WORLD’S CHAOS,

WITH AXS.COM TODAY, 10/11

RECENTLY PERFORMED FOR LIGHTING 100’S “THUNDERGROUND”

AT THE BASEMENT EAST IN NASHVILLE ON 10/5 WITH ED SHEERAN IN ATTENDANCE

WRLT LIGHTNING 100 (100.1 FM) CURRENTLY SPINNING “PARANOID”

Above: CROUSE

CROUSE–the Nashville-based singer, songwriter and guitarist–today (10/11) has partnered with AXS.com to premiere the lyric video for debut single “Paranoid.” Click here to watch the video which visually captures the modern anxiety and chaos in the world as represented in the haunting alt-rock song’s lyrics: “They want us to lay down, bow our heads and close our eyes without a fight/We’d rather die” and “We’re not confused, we’re paranoid.”

The song, released July 17,was performed live this past month when the band–including Davis Naish (keyboard/backing vocals) and Dre Williams (drums) alongside Joel Crouse–made their debut in Los Angeles at the packed Hotel Café, with Hits Daily Double on hand noting “…CROUSE performed a rock-solid set featuring his latest single ‘Paranoid’…” (9/22). You can see the full setlist here.

CROUSE performed last week (10/5) in Nashville, TN at The Basement East as part of Lightning 100’s “Thunderground” series with Ed Sheeran in attendance (see image below). The station currently has “Paranoid”–co-written by CROUSE with Todd Clark and produced by Davis Naish and CROUSE–in rotation.

Photo credit:David O’Donohue

Left to Right: Ed Sheeran and Joel Crouse backstage at The Basement East in Nashville, TN

CROUSE is the moniker of the 25-year-old Joel Crouse, who’s returned to his rock roots with a sound that’s free of genre walls after releasing a 2014 country album and opening on the road for Taylor Swift (her “Red” tour) and Darius Rucker. “Paranoid” was co-written by CROUSE with Todd Clark, produced by Davis Naish and CROUSE, and recorded in Nashville. “Paranoid” was written in July 2016. “I’m sure most would agree that it had been a very interesting year up to that point,” says CROUSE about the polarizing political divisions, internet lies, and the general feeling of anger and confusion people were experiencing-and still are. The song also has a personal connection for CROUSE, particularly with the line: “They want us to lay down, bow our heads and close our eyes without a fight.” He says: “I grew up in a safe and sheltered church environment. My father who is a pastor used to say ‘…bow our heads and close our eyes’ before ending his sermons. I guess I was being sarcastic with that line in referring to being sheep to what we are told to think.”

What inspired CROUSE to return to his rock roots? “I love a lot of music—the first band I was in was very Beatles-influenced (back in his home state of Massachusetts). But then we broke up and everyone went to college while I moved to Nashville. Then fast forward six years later, at 23 I reconnected with Fletcher Foster (manager and head of Iconic Entertainment), and he was the first person I had worked with to let me go back to those roots of the music I loved: The Beatles, Pink Floyd. Nirvana, Audioslave. That’s where my heart is. As for the name change, I wanted a clean slate but still carry the fans that have supported me.”