Credit: Courtesy of Joshua Jesty
One of the more prolific musicians on the local scene, singer-songwriter Joshua Jesty issued a string of EPs between 2013 and 2016.

Then, he suddenly stopped releasing new music.

“It wasn’t that I stopped out of burn out or fatigue,” he says in a press release announcing the release of his new single, the mid-tempo pop number “Catastrophe,” which comes out on all digital streaming services on Feb. 21. “My girlfriend — now fiancee — Kaycee Zach had developed ALL, a form of cancer that required around the clock treatment. Life simply took a complete turn and went from music all the time to hospitals all the time”

Now, with a reason to celebrate (Zach is in the clear though she’ll still need to be regularly tested), Jesty says he’s turned his attention back to writing and recording songs.

“It’s a new chapter,” Jesty says.

A folk-y number, “Catastrophe” makes use of guitar, banjo, harmonium and keyboards. The digital release will include the poppy b-side, “I Love You Like a Fire that Never Goes Out.”

To celebrate the release, Jesty will perform with Teasebox and Maura Rogers and Bellows on Feb. 24 at the Happy Dog and with Jenna Fournier and Emily Keener on Feb. 28 at the Beachland Tavern.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.