Joshua Park

Joshua Park has emerged as an exciting new addition to the Philly local music scene. His debut EP entitled, "City Living", was released to a sold out audience at the World Cafe Live in Philadelphia in 2006. This lyrically driven singer/songwriter counts John Prine, Dan Bern, and Mason Jennings among his strongest influences, and consistently delivers poignant songs derived from his own life experience and the ebb and flow of his surrounding world. With a raw passion that is evident with every note, Joshua brings an energy to the stage that has a true impact on every listener.

As an Air Force brat, Joshua frequently moved around the country and soon came realize the role music could play in creating new relationships. "It doesn't matter where you are from, music can bring people together."

Joshua's strong pull towards songwriting took shape in high school and found real life after going away to college in 1996. Away at school, Joshua learned how to play the guitar and give a musical accent to his lyrics. Playing local coffeehouses with close friends quickly made it clear how rewarding it could be to play live shows. "I never wanted to spend time with nervous energy. Writing and singing came naturally, and so performing live has always been exciting and fun, even in the beginning."

Joshua got married in 1999 and continued to focus on songwriting, while pursuing his Master's Degree in Education and expanding his horizons in the discovery of new music. His early inclination of observing interactions in his relationships remained a constant theme in his music, and Joshua found new insight everyday in the songs of musicians he respected the most. "I have always gathered inspiration from musicians all around me; from close friends to the albums of legendary songwriters like Jeff Buckley, Tom Petty, and Bob Dylan. The most beneficial lesson to date has been finding the freedom to pour emotion in to the melodies of my songs."

Moving to Philadelphia in 2001 opened a whole new door of live music in the thriving scene of Philly's singer/songwriter community. Attending local shows of artists such as Birdie Busch, Cowmuddy, and Amos Lee provided motivation and a serious drive to continue writing music. Joshua also began to seek out open mic nights around the city to get back into playing for an audience. "I always thought it was great that you could just take your songs to an open stage, no matter who you were, and be heard."

The end of his marriage began a new chapter in Joshua's life and he turned with full force into his music to find solace. Relying on his own songwriting abilities and the music of others helped create a balance as he adjusted to new truths. "Songwriting for me is kind of like a sneak attack on my own psyche; it helped me to release my emotions, answer hidden questions, and look ahead at what comes next."

Joshua continued to grow with new life and a bright love which led him to explore local venues again with an impressive array of new music. In the fall of 2005 he quickly became a regular at World Cafe Live's open mic night, "Philly Rising". Being voted the Stand Out Performer for December in the "Philly Rising" monthly competition, allowed Joshua to record his first EP, adding the sounds of longtime friend Jamie Moffett on djembe, at Milkboy Studios in Ardmore, PA.

Joshua has truly found a home in performing his music, and a new EP "One Wish" recorded with a full band is on the horizon to be released in the fall. With bare feet, raw talent, and heartfelt verses, Joshua Park continues to captivate his audiences one song at a time as he lives in every word. "Hearing someone sing a song that you have created is the most beautiful thing that can happen to a musician, and I look forward to every single one of those moments."