Hello my name is Josh Wood. I started taking cello lessons when I was 10 years old, and ever since then my music career has taken me to so many places. I started playing other instruments in middle school and that's when I started becoming a drummer for many churches in the area (my side hustle). I decided that I wanted to do something with music for the rest of my life.
I was born in New Bern North Carolina, but I grew up in Richlands until we moved to Lexington, South Carolina when I was 9. My sister, Sarah, graduated from Converse last year with a degree in interior design. My dad, Charlie, is an estimator for all things water on construction projects and my mom, Kimberly, is a pastor. I guess you could say music does not particularly run in my family.
Here is the music of my life...
1. Music that I love right now that absolutely slaps is progressive rock, which started with a love for a band named Porcupine Tree. About 2 years ago I started listening to Polyphyia and Periphery both of which got me really into this idea of really virtuosic guitar playing and the use of hybrid picking. Many of my friends also listen to this type of music and it's something that we can all connect over.
This first song, "Nasty," is exactly what it says, nasty. It features Jason Richardson who is a machine and has some of the greatest technical guitar playing of all time. The second one, "Reptile," was described as "heavy" by their guitarist Misha Mansoor (another legend) when they usually like to describe their music as experimental.
2. In my life there has been a lot of music that has been extremely important to me but one that is a constant is the music of Doja Cat. Her music always has the ability to change my mood and to make me feel better if I am sad. Sometimes her music even just gets me in my feels and I love that about her. Around 2017 I found her song, "No Police." This song is just so chill and calming and even though her imitating the sirens is kind of cheesy but I think that it just adds to the music and really makes it "No Police."
3. The music that I do not particularly connect with is country music. I think that the vocal timbre and subject matter just doesn't do it for me. Although a lot of the music that I listen to does get value from country music. For example, Tim Henson, (the guitarist for Polyhphia) says that he gets a lot of his chord progressions from Taylor Swift even though he hates her music. I think that even though I do not necessarily enjoy this much or understand the appeal, it does have influence in what I do enjoy.
Josh, this was a really unique list you compiled! I was not even aware that there was something called progressive rock, let alone a group called "Porcupine Tree"! The first piece of theirs was really interesting to listen to, I really liked the detailed guitar work in it. As far as Ms. Doja Cat goes, I too am a fan but had not heard of this song you posted. It's in my playlist now so, thank you :)
ReplyDeleteI did not realize that you play drums for churches in the area. That is so cool! I have never heard of the band Polyphia or the song “Nasty,” but it does sound very interesting. I do agree with you on the great guitar technique in this piece, it really stands out in the song.
ReplyDeleteI have always enjoyed listening to songs that have interesting guitar solos in them.
Wow! This is such a carefully curated selection of varying music! I really enjoyed the unique dichotomy of No Police and the song by Riley Greene. Also the pure technical skill in "Nasty" was orgasmic. I really enjoyed your taste in guitar music, I hope to see more!
ReplyDeleteI'm very happy Doja Cat made it on the blog. My expectations were fulfilled. I didn't expect the progressive rock though, but "Nasty" is so good. The tone of the guitar itches a spot on my brain that I didn't know existed.
ReplyDeleteJosh I think you might have one of the most niche tastes in music of anyone I know. You have put me on to yet another Doja Cat song. My favorite by her is definitely Woman. I agree with Kerrigan about Nasty scratching a brain itch.
ReplyDeleteHi Josh! Really interesting background! I also liked your music choices, including Doja Cat! I currently and bopping to her song "Woman". I will 10000000% agree with you on country music, it is actually what I included in my blog. You took the words right out of my mouth about why country is just not that great of a genre or atleast why your ears don't enjoy it! Thanks for the insight on some new music with those first two selections though!
ReplyDeletenice Josh! I have never listened to anything like progressive rock before and was pleasantly surprised whenever I heard this. I might have to check more music like this later tonight. I really enjoyed listening to it and am currently learning how to play the guitar and WOW his technique sounds amazing. Thanks man for broadening my horizon and helping me potentially find a new song for my Spotify wrap next year lol
ReplyDeletePolyphia absolutely does slap! Not enough people know them. Anyway... I didn't pin you as a Doja fan but go you! I also never knew you were a drummer but I can say from experience that working in religion can be quite a fruitful "hustle." On another note, I love your diction in this post because you were crystal clear and well-spoken and I felt like I was talking to you in person.
ReplyDeleteHey josh, i also have never really vibed with country music either. Although i have close friends and family who LOVE it , it has just always hard for me to get into.
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