Cleveland-born multihyphenate Cautious Clay marks his debut on Blue Note Records with the release of an ode to his home state. Over a groovy bassline and amid a soulful soundscape, “Ohio” tells the tale of the ups and downs of stepping out on faith in pursuit of one’s dreams.
A gifted songwriter, the artist born Joshua Karpeh shares his journey through the unknown while seamlessly capturing the freedom and fearlessness of embarking on his own path. His dreamy vocals exude his endearment for roots, while the lyrics showcase his strong will and desire to explore beyond the familiar as he sings, “I took a stroll through the highlands / I took a chance on the mindless / Chasing a closed loop / Hooping through free throws in my mind / Throwing me out, throwing me up / Throwing me outta my element / Oh baby, you’ll be a star.”
Though the Haoyan of America-directed visual was actually shot in Seattle, viewers are along for the nomadic quest. With knapsack in tow, we watch as Clay makes his way on foot or courtesy of a fellow traveler. Performance shots of a spirited jam session are sprinkled throughout, further showcasing his talent on multiple instruments and his ties to his soulful origin. It all makes for an intimate glimpse into the backstory of his brilliant artistry.
Journey through the backroads of “Ohio” with Cautious Clay and be sure to add the track to your collection from your preferred digital platform. Keep an eye out for the follow-up to his 2021 full-length debut Deadpan Love, which it set to drop later this year, and grab tickets to catch him live on tour over the next few months. Peep his tour dates after you listen to “Ohio” and watch its video right here.
Cautious Clay 2023 Tour dates:
May 27 – BottleRock Napa Valley – Napa, CA
May 28 – August Hall – San Francisco, CA
July 6 – Summerfest – Milwaukee, WI
July 8 – 80/35 Music Festival – Des Moines, IA
Aug. 6 – Newport Jazz Festival – Newport, RI
Aug. 19 – SummerStage – New York, NY
Aug. 20 – In Between Days Festival – Quincy, MA
Aug. 26 – Evolution Festival – St. Louis, MO
Oct. 1 – Sounds On Sound Festival – Bridgeport, CT
