About Josh
Josh J Searles, a multi-talented classical guitarist, composer, music producer and DJ. He is a highly trained Classical Guitarist holding a Masters degree from the University of Alicante in Spain, the most prestigious program of its kind in the world. There he studied with the worlds most celebrated virtuoso guitarists: Grammy winning David Russell, Manuel Barrueco and Sergio Assad. He has performed across Canada and Spain, in some beautiful venues like Vancouver's Orpheum Theatre with renown Brazilian virtouso guitarist, percussionist and composer Celso Machado.
In 2022 he was awarded a grant from the Canada Arts Council for the creation and live performance of an avante garde hybrid classical guitar and electronic music album. Titled “Ghost Orchid” this unique record will be Searles' first Dolby Atmosphere 7.4 spatial mix. Recorded at The Farm Studios owned and operated by veteran producer Garth Richardson (Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers) on the West Coast of Canada. A very unique creation highlighting the colours, harmony and melody of his newly built double top concert guitar by world renown Luthier Martin Blackwell, orchestrated and layered with sound design and atmosphere created live and electronically. Featuring on the piece “Dreams In Dreams” is on of Canada's finest cellists today, Winona Zelenka (TSO). His music having never fit well into conventional or convenient labels or genres, could be described as Neo Classical or Post Classical but could also just as easily fall into genres like Electronica, Experimental, Down Tempo or Ambient.
Searles has also written and co-written short film scores that have premiered at the Vancouver International Film Festival (CAN). The first short titled “A Love Poem” by director and filmmaker Ana Valine, won best experimental film at Videobardo, Buenos Aires (ARG), and showed at the Northwest Film Fest Portland (USA), and the Native American Film Festival in New York (USA). Searles has also licensed original music for film and various video productions. His music has appeared on Pel'sic (Home Coming) a short film by Helen Haig-Brown a well known Canadian Film Maker.
Josh has performed as a DJ, a Live PA electronica act, all over Canada, the West Coast of America, UK and Spain. Under the alias Tamarak, he has releases out on Unchained Recordings, Really Good Recordings and Woodwork Recordings. His latest collaborative tune with Doctor Jeep “Destroyer” coming out on Jeep's next Worst Behaviour Records EP. Tamarak's remix of rising UK star originally of Nigeria, Magugu cowritten by scratch DJ legend Mat the Alien titled “Bam Bam” made the top ten Beatport Charts and was supported by Rene Levice on his stalwart BBC Radio 1 show on its release. “Clarity” the first collaborative effort between Tamarak and the enigmatic Doctor Jeep was shared and supported by London UK's infamous Drum & Bass Arena Soundcloud. His tunes are regularly supported by UK's Bass taste maker J:Kenzo on his RinseFM radio show.
In addition to Tamarak, his solo project, Josh is also part of the iconic Canadian West Coast underground dance scene duo Daega Sound. Originally discovered by Mary Ann Hobbs on her iconic BBC Radio1 show, in 2008, they're latest vinyl release on US label LoDubs includes a remix of “Second Strike” by UK Dubstep legend Kromestar.
They're 8 track EP on UK Dubstep Creator Hatcha's imprint Hatched Music was straight in at Number 1 on the Junodownloads Deep Dubstep chart upon its release. They're track “Mercury Sky” released on the Mutek Compilation in 2011 alongside one of they're biggest inspirations Amon Tobin. In addition Daega Sound have many international releases out on, Black Box, Muti Music, Interchill, Deep Heads, Tuba NYC, Memetic, Aufect Recordings, CX:Digital, East Van Digital, Balanced Records, Echodub, Blipswitch Digital and Car Crash Set.
His life of music is an extremely dedicated and passionate journey. His talent, love, and discipline, combined with many years of experience, give him a unique ability and original sound when performing classical guitar or composing music. Always keeping his artistic integrity as the North Star that guides him. Searles studio is in a beautiful coastal setting in British Columbia, Canada.