Joseph Strider was born in Texas where he began his musical journey singing Latin hymns in a choir. He received his first guitar at nine and his fate was sealed. Upon attending an Aerosmith concert, a youthful Joseph set his sights on the world of rock-n-roll. He spent six years touring Texas as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist in a rock/metal band. When Joseph decided not to sign a recording contract offered to the band, he realized that it was time for a change in direction.
His growing knowledge, experience and love of music led him to the acoustic guitar, the instrument that would open the doors of his creativity and allow him to express the music in his soul. With no formal training, inspired by everything from The Beatles to Primus, Bruce Cockburn to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joseph's love and passion and pure gift for music has resulted in a style that can be described as Modern Indigenous Alternative, a harmonious blend of myriad genres, a sound that is uniquely Joseph Strider.
Music is not the only force that drives this musician. Joseph's Lipan Apache ancestry has shaped his dreams as surely as the music that flows through him. The atrocities committed against the People of the First Nations throughout history and today are not only Native issues, they are human issues. We are all of the same blood, the blood of humanity. Our actions connect us all in ways that we choose to be ignorant of and the consequences of our actions have effects that long outlive the individual. Humanity is capable of causing great wrongs, but we are also capable of great good. It is Joseph's hope that through the medium of his music, he can show others what this world could be if we were to be kind to others and to ourselves, if we put aside considerations of gender, race and religion and treated one another as fellow human beings. In short, Joseph dreams of leaving this life having done his best to make the world a better place.
Joseph's efforts to attain his dream transcend simple music, transporting the listener into the realm of aural art. Masterful guitar work, soulful lyrics, heart wrenching vocals, Joseph Strider uses these gifts to reach out and touch our hearts and souls. His music tells the stories of us all, the joys and sorrows, the pain and beauty of being human. We are reminded that we have the same experiences, the same emotions, we are moved to reflect on our lives and are inspired to grow. The music of Joseph Strider is indeed magic. The spell that it casts creates a place for us to learn who we are and to understand ourselves and one another.
Joseph's debut cd, "Meanings Within Meanings, Within Meanings" was released in December 2009. "Little Bird" will be released summer 2010.
Joseph is currently at work on a concept album titled "The Journey" and an as yet untitled instrumental album.
And the journey continues.............................
