What is your name and role within the band?
Josh. I play guitar, bass, drums and sing. Typically I also run these through a loop machine, though I’ve been known to call up other players to join in and ditch the loops. Just depends on the situation.
How did you start?
Started playing music at a young age, and just kept practicing and studying. I have been part of many projects over the years, and Hairy Dudini is a manifestation of doin my own thing instead of being the side man.
Where are you based?
Allentown, PA
Please give an example of your music writing process?
I have a very improvisational process. It all starts with a loop and some interesting melodic material. From there, I will either sing different lyrics from years of lyric sketching, or record and listen back to write to the vibe of what was recorded.
That said, I have always thought of myself as a guitarist first and everything else second. So it usually begins there, and in the case of my instrumental music it also ends there.
What are you working on right now?
Playing SHOWS! I have a summer tour schedule at hairydudini.com. I am also constantly writing new things and collaborating with other bands and artists.
What is your gear setup?
A lot: Gibson 335 and/or Fender Strat (custom build). Fender P-bass, a bass drum and snare, various mics for drums and vocal, 3 midi controllers (one wired through guitar) for various performance capabilities. Guitars are also run through a small analog pedal board.
Those run into my Tascam interface and to a computer, which runs Ableton.
What do you like to do outside of music and does it affect your music?
I’m a family guy….often home with the wife when not out playing. My regular work is teaching music and producing other peoples’ stuff, so I am sort of blessed with kind of have a music life. That said, we do enjoy our video games lol. Mario Kart is a heavy favorite. I am also a very bad surfer.
How would you describe your music genre?
Magic Space-Funk maybe? Its eclectic. Jazz is also alive in my music as well as tribal roots and reggae.
Do you know any music theory?
Yup. You need lessons? Hit me up lol.
What are your plans for the future?
GRIND! Or I should say continue to do so. I have shows lined up, and am almost completely in house DIY with my own website and online music stores at CDBaby/Amazon/iTunes etc. So I am out here working!!
How did you get into music?
My family supported me at a young age. My uncles got me into guitar, and the rest has just been practice and love of the notes.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Really digging deep into my roots and love of ska music lately. Like I said: Its all about guitar players for me. Soo ska guitar go: Ernest Ranglin is THE guy. Also a fan of Van Gordon Martin out of Boston (he plays solo and with a group called Dub Apocolypse, and another one called Organically Good Trio).
Aside from that it varies….Club D’Elf is a favorite go-to group. We have tickets to go see Jimmy Herring and John McLaughlin later this year, so I am definitely gearing up for that with my music mix these days. Also really digging back into Scofield’s A Go Go (that’s just great for summertime!)
Some new ones that blow my mind live, there would be Marbin, Kung Fu, Pimps of Joytime, Antibalas, Mono-Neon, Thundercat…..there’s definitely more I am leaving out, but that’s probably good for now.
Who are your top 5 influences and icons?
Yikes….thats hard! Here goes:
- Jimi Hendrix
- Wes Montgomery
- George Harrison
- Earth Wind & Fire
- Prince
When are you playing next?
Various side guy dates, but the next big HD appearance will be at Jibberjazz’s MadSummer MeltDown, starting Thursday June 22nd and going through the entire weekend. I have 5 performances scheduled there on various stages: 4 solo performances with surprise special guests and 1 late night performance with Titanium Stardust Machine.
Please feel free to include any extra info.
There you will learn about everything Hairy Dudini stands for: music tech, improvisations, collaborations, good vibes, positive messages and a love of fun
Instagram.com/joshthehairydudini
hairydudini.com also features links to social media (plus that’s where you can get the music, so just go to there….duh!)