Kat Harlton
Photos: provided via artist / PR team
Montreal-based singer-songwriter Josh Alexander recently released his new holiday single “Stormy Haze,” on November 29th via Believe Music on all streaming platforms. The song tops off a banner year of growth that has established Josh as one of the hottest breakthrough pop artists of 2024.
Originally composed in French, the English version of “Stormy Haze” captures the raw emotions experienced when a relationship ends abruptly during the cold winter months, a time when we naturally yearn for closeness and warmth. While the melody draws you in, the lyrics tell a story that balances the melancholy of loss with the resilience to move forward. Josh worked with artist and producer Alexis Leroy-Pleshoyano (Mada Mada, Sandrine St-Laurent, Jam Khalil) to bring this winter piece to life.
2024 kicked off on a high note with Josh being named the Grand Prize recipient of the 11th Annual Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program (2023). This year, he has continued to make significant progress in his musical journey. He performed at Toronto’s Casa Loma as a part of their Sunset Concert Series, Team Canada Fan Fest in Montreal, Markham Village Music Festival and took the stage for the Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician showcase.
Josh was also chosen to take part in the 2024 RBC First Up Program, powered by MusiCounts, which provides comprehensive and transformational professional development experience to 30 emerging artists, music producers, sound engineers and other creatives from across Canada.
Josh Alexander is a multi-talented bilingual artist who has made a notable impact in the music industry as a songwriter, composer, and performer. He first garnered attention after debuting on the singing competition show La Voix. This led him to sign a pivotal management contract with Blü Dog media in 2018, setting the stage for his songs to be featured in the globally distributed films La Course des Tuques / RaceTime.
He was later named the iHeart Radio Future Star (February 2020), and in 2022 his hit single “Hurricane” climbed to the top 40 on Quebec’s ADISQ radio charts. Additionally, two of Josh’s compositions were featured on the soundtrack of the film La Légende du Papillon / Butterfly Tale, and he has contributed to popular TV animated series such as L’Agent Jean / Agent Jon Le Bon and MiniJean Mini Bulles / Mini Jon Mini Maple.
In more music news, Josh also released a reimagined rendition of Johnny Cash’s classic “Ring of Fire,” produced by Cartier Préféré (Alexe, Zoo Baby, Lalancette). The song holds a deep significance to Josh, playing a role in his life since as long as he can remember. While the song is traditionally about romantic love, Josh’s version speaks to the love we give ourselves after coming out of a harder pass. The track also has an accompanying music video that was financed in part by Canada’s Walk of Fame and RBC’s Emerging Artists Program.
Looking ahead to 2025, Josh has been busy in the studio working with A&R executive Fraser Hill where they are working on key co-writes to round out the new material on the forthcoming EP that promises to showcase his artistic growth and creativity.
I had the opportunity to chat with Josh about his new holiday single, his musical journey this past year, and more.
Kat: What inspired you to write your new holiday single, “Stormy Haze”?
Josh: The story behind Stormy Haze is deeply personal. I went through a breakup during the winter, which was a challenging time for me. But as difficult as it was, I realized that I wasn’t alone in facing heartache during a season that’s often associated with joy and togetherness. When I was writing this song, it became a healing process for me, a way to give a voice to those who might feel out of place during the holidays. I wanted to create something that felt heartfelt and relatable, a sad Christmas bop for anyone needing it this season.
Kat: Can you share some insights into the creative process for “Stormy Haze”? Were there any memorable moments while working with Alexis Leroy-Pleshoyano?
Josh: It’s always a pleasure working with Alexis. Like every song we’ve created together, it’s always an experience. With this song in particular, I’d say watching Alexis’s mind roam freely in terms of production was an awesome experience for me. He’s so talented, and seeing how he takes an idea from my head and turns it into something wonderful is always a joy.
Kat: How do you stay motivated and inspired to create new music?
Josh: I stay motivated by diving into my own experiences and emotions, which always seem to lead me to something meaningful. Music, for me, is a way of processing life’s ups and downs. It’s where I go when I need to make sense of things or find a sense of hope. Without creation, I’d most likely be lost, so I’m grateful to have this outlet. Also, in life, every day creates space for something new to begin, so a song is bound to be born from anything and everything!
Kat: “Stormy Haze” explores themes of loss and resilience. What message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from this single?
Josh: I want listeners to know that it’s okay to feel everything, the sadness, the longing, the hope and that those feelings are what make us human. Living all of these emotions in their rawest form is, in my opinion, the only way to truly move forward. Stormy Haze is about embracing the storm while knowing that it will pass. It’s also a reminder that even in moments of loss, there’s always a way forward. I hope my listeners feel comforted by the idea that they’re not alone in their struggles and that resilience can come from accepting and growing through the pain. We are going through this together.
Kat: Looking back on your career so far, what has been the most rewarding experience in your journey as an artist?
Josh: Hearing in person or reading from a fan that my music has given them hope or brought them comfort during a time when they needed it most has been the most rewarding experience. Music has always been a vehicle for my emotions, and since I was a kid, the artistic expression of my idols has carried me through some tough times. Knowing that I can have that same impact on people, wherever they may be, brings me so much comfort and happiness. All I want is a world where humans feel comfortable and safe being who they are. If my music can support someone through life’s highs and lows, that’s a win for me.
Kat: Josh, do you have any exciting plans or projects coming up in 2025?
Josh: Absolutely! I’m currently working on my next EP, which will touch upon themes of vulnerability and growth that I started exploring in Stormy Haze. It’s shaping up to be my most personal project yet, and I’m excited to take listeners on that journey. I also have two live performances coming up in March, one in Quebec City and one in Montreal, where I’ll be performing some new songs live along with other tracks you’ve heard before. Beyond that, I’ll be singing two songs in the upcoming animated film “Elli et l’équipe des monstres”, set to come out in theatres in February of 2025!
Connect With Josh
Instagram: @joshalexanderofficial
Facebook: @Joshalexanderofficial
TikTok: @joshalexandermusic
Website: https://www.joshalexanderofficial.com