Joshua Teicher is currently attending the Victorian College of the Arts, as a guitar player, studying improvisation in the School of Music. He is still trying to get his head around music and doesn't see himself as a real musician because he doesn't really get it. Whereas some people do, straight away. He also finds writing in the 3rd person strange.
During high school Josh (what could loosely be described as) played guitar. Some Slayer/Metallica riffs and a Marshall stack were about the height of his prowess in music. His only exposure to music of the improvised kind was the Inverloch Jazz Festival, which he hated, and reaffirmed any prejudice he had against music that wasn't metal, The Beatles or rap music.
After completing high school he dropped playing guitar and commenced full time employment at a hospital, which specialised in palliative care, of which some of his duties were collecting soiled linen and taking dead bodies to the big fridge in the basement. Stoned, bored and frustrated with life he knew he needed something else.
Thankfully his friend, Andreas, lent him "Kind Of Blue" by Miles Davis, a transforming listening experience. Another friend, Jules Pascoe, suggested he accompany him to hear guitarist Stephen Magnusson play at Dizzy's (he was playing with James Muller that night too!). Some other friends were also playing some really inspiring improvised music at Vibe cafe, on Acland street St. Kilda, every saturday arvo during the summer. This being the early early stage of 'The Conglomerate', with Harry Angus, Ollie McGill, Jules Pascoe and Harry Shaw-Reynolds. Coupled with the rise of The Cat Empire (which Harry and Ollie play) all these things came together to solidify a new path and reborn love: MUSIC. Especially Pop and Improvised music. These people also highlighted the beautiful, and often overlooked, aspect of music: communication.
He is truly grateful.
Josh can be seen posturing, shredding and singing in NEAR YOUR HOUSE, OK OK OK, FALCONER and SOPHIA & BAND.
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The past 12 months have seen a considerable growth in the Synth/Pop/Rock megaforce that is NEAR YOUR HOUSE. They have released their debut EP "Live at Miss Libertine" available in stores and online, played amazing off the wall shows around Melbourne such as The Espy, The Evelyn, Revolver, Rob Roy, Bar Open, Miss Libertine, Ding Dong Lounge, Pony, The Tote, made it to the State Finals of the National Campus Band Competition and played with many fantastic bands such as Dukes Of Windsor and The Genie as well as preparing to release their first studio recording in 2008. For more info check www.myspace.com/nearyourhouse.
"Near Your House's songs hum with an infectious post-punk energy [that] will surely put them at the forefront of Melbourne's burgeoning scene." -Alexander Maxwell, Beat Magazine
OK OK OK are a fabulously adventurous modern jazz/impro group described as "post-rock John (not James) Taylor meets Angelo Badalamenti" with some awesome compositions and some really really hot players. They're also good at playing the music. You must hear them.
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