In conversation with: Josh Taerk
Josh Taerk is a billboard charting singer/songwriter from Toronto. He’s released several albums including his latest full-length, Beautiful Tragedy, which has been streamed more than 150,000 times on Spotify.
He built a loyal following doing video livestreams on Twitch and last summer decided to add Blast Radio to the mix for fans that prefer to listen instead of watching (something we recommend all video streamers do).
We recently spoke with Taerk to learn more about him, his taste, his inspirations, and what he’s got going on. Read on to learn about the man singing the songs.
Make sure to follow Taerk (https://blastradio.com/joshtaerk or ‘joshtaerk’ in the app) to catch his weekly live acoustic performances – including a 4-week featured residency on Blast Radio on April 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th leading up to his headline show at The Dakota Tavern in Toronto April 29th.
___
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I’m a Billboard charting singer/songwriter and producer from Toronto who loves bringing people together through the promise of music. I love diner food, action movies, and I believe there is nothing like live music, and nothing brings people together like live music.
How would you describe your streams?
My streams are all about community and our mutual love for music. The Taerkies (my community) and I meet on my streams and share our stories all while going on the emotional journey the music wants to take us on that day. No matter what kind of day it is, on every stream we come as we are, and it’s important to me that everyone is seen, is heard, and is accepted as we are.
Which product do you use to stream? What is your setup?
I use the Blast Radio Broadcast Software because it can work simultaneously with my other live broadcasting software. I also love the sound quality of analog equipment, so I use more analog than software to stream because I wanted to keep my livestreams sounding as live as possible.
What do you enjoy most about streaming?
I enjoy the intimacy live streaming can create. Every time I stream it feels more like a conversation that’s enhanced by the music I’m playing as opposed to the music and conversation being two separate moments in the show.
Who are your three ideal dinner guests (dead or alive)?
My three ideal dinner guests would be William Shakespeare, Mary Shelley, and Irving Berlin. I am a huge fan of how Shakespeare and Shelley write, I find a lot of inspiration in their work, and Irving Berlin is one of the greatest and most prolific songwriters of all time. I would love the chance to talk shop with all of them.
How would you describe your music?
Storytelling. In each song I write, the music and the lyrics have to fit each other in order for the emotional journey of the story to shine through. That’s why I pull from different genres and subgenres in each song depending on the story I’m telling.
What single piece of art has had the biggest impact on you personally?
I would say The Norton Anthology of Shakespeare’s Plays has had the biggest impact on me as a writer because it illustrates how one person completely re-invented a language and invented new words within that language. It reminds me of the change that’s possible when we write and tell stories.
