Interview: In an eulogy about his life, Josh Radnor debuts a solo album that embraces the joys and sorrows of human existence

Last month I spoke with Michael Benjamin about his new album, The World Is Still Beautiful, and now I had the chance to talk to Josh Radnor, one of my inspirations as a storyteller. His debut solo album, Eulogy: Vol. I, is now available on all digital platforms and I highly recommend you give it a listen. For me, it’s a beautiful journey about life and death and what it means to be human. And that’s precisely the focus of the 40-minute conversation we had — which was only possible thanks to my great friend Maísa Cachos, from FolkdaWorld. We also talked about Ayahuasca, creativity, impostor syndrome and the power of art in people’s lives. In other words, if you’re a fan of Josh’s work or are interested in these subjects, it’s really worth checking out.

Take a look below for an in-depth analysis of the album and the full interview at the bottom of the page. 👇

The particular is the door to the universal

This was one of the things Josh Radnor said during the conversation we had to discuss the artist’s first solo album, Eulogy: Vol. I. The evocative quote defines well the work of this great storyteller over the course of 12 songs: particular narratives and feelings for a 49-year-old man, who is about to get married and has discovered a new great love in songwriting. But somehow he manages to make so many particularities within human existence more universal.

“There’s something people can’t express emotionally and they are depending on actors and artists to be able to channel these emotions for them and show them. Or even give them permission to feel certain things in their lives”

Maybe that’s why it resonates so much to hear Josh singing about youthful rebellion in Red, a confused love in NYC, the need to seek the divine in Real Life and the ongoing quest to feel everything we need to feel in Learning.

Josh Blake Dylan

Just as in his collaboration with Ben Lee, when the two artists created two spectacular albums that also addressed the universality of this existence, Josh seems more focused than ever on exploring the limits of his poetic and lyrical writing. Eulogy’s lyrics sound like a perfect blend of William Blake’s poems and Bob Dylan’s songs, especially given Josh’s tendency to tell complex stories within four minutes, much like the folk legend.

"If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is: infinite"

Blake was the one who said it, but Josh Radnor seems to express the same idea throughout every farewell that happens during the album. After all, Eulogy is about death. Not always literally, but always about the end of something that gives us life, almost as if we were dying every day and also eternalizing ourselves. There is no better paradox than life itself.

In addition to the folk that has been institutionalized in his other works as a musician (although the genre seems to be more of a limiting agent within the universe present in Radnor and Lee’s songs), Josh also relies on a almost religious resource: repeating verses — especially in the last song, Joshua: 45-46 — inviting the listener to also take part in the prayer and dance that is being human. Songs like You Can Sleep Alone Tonight enhance this feeling with Audrey Assad’s backing vocals and the wind instruments, which can lift any spirit.

A story told in 12 songs

Just as with a cinematic or literary narrative, there is a story to be told throughout Eulogy — by the way, the second part of the double album releases in 2024. It begins with a projection of a young and rebellious person who wants to tell his parents to fuck off. After that, it goes through the phase of relationships, romantic or not, showing how difficult it is to live in this world alongside different people and just having to deal with who you are — which, somedays, can be something very difficult.

In between, we see a man exploring spirituality as a new way of seeing the world. Then we go through another stage of romantic relationships, which ends with this person understanding that the most important love that exists is the one we have for ourselves, especially when we are alone. And in the end, we come across the epitome of all this, with Josh accepting the passage of time and singing about breaking down walls.

"God is not a test but arms where I can rest"

Perhaps my favorite phrase of the whole album, because it feels like a discovery for both the singer and the listener — also, this song is amazing. And that’s the feeling throughout this entire journey of saying goodbye to the parts that no longer serve the singer. And Josh does that as he invites everyone listening to think about their Eulogy: by targeting his individuality and his particular experiences, he reaches almost everyone — he definitely reached me. And when he comes to a conclusion, the invitation is almost automatic for you to reflect on it too.

The particular is the door to the universal. And that’s what Eulogy is. So particular that it manages, in many ways, to be universal. It’s an honest and upright work by a storyteller who, to our delight, has found a new platform to share his stories. And as he sings in NYC: “I’ve got a few tales up my sleeves that ain’t been told”. And we can only hope that Josh Radnor will be able to tell them for a long, long time.

Listen to Eulogy: Volume I here.

Follow Josh Radnor’s work closely.

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All pictures were taken by Eli Greiss and the album cover was made by Jon Marro.

Watch the full interview

You can skip to 41 seconds to watch the beginning of our conversation.