About me
What I do?
I play the guitar and sing. Whether it's done well or not, that's another story. I can also provide guitar tuition tailored specifically for beginners. Every now and then I'll scribble down a poem. From time to time I'll play with others, both jamming and performing. There's nothing quite like playing with others and have everyone just blending in - there's real magic in it. I've always loved music, I think it came from Mum. She started me with piano and guitar lessons at primary school. The progress and development was stinted at times, I no longer play the piano and for some years I didn't even pick up a guitar. Nowadays it's the opposite and it's a very rare thing for me to not pick up the guitar regularly.
Family
Family events were almost always accompanied to music. Uncle Colin would often pull out his guitar and sing a John Denver or Carter family tune and I would join in from time to time. We would often go to 1C1, (a club no longer) who met at the Brunswick Mechanics Institute and listen to local and visiting artists, they were good times. Gradually I began to play with friends at the odd party, work event, wedding etc. But it wasn't really until I started playing regularly to seniors in Aged Care Facilities that I really enjoyed music for what it is - a means of communicating, a way to share joy, a joy in itself. And so the passion has grown and along with it, a new appreciation of life. Mum always said - you've got to live son! What she urged me, was to live life fully and for me personally, I don't think I can do that without music.
I play the guitar and sing. Whether it's done well or not, that's another story. I can also provide guitar tuition tailored specifically for beginners. Every now and then I'll scribble down a poem. From time to time I'll play with others, both jamming and performing. There's nothing quite like playing with others and have everyone just blending in - there's real magic in it. I've always loved music, I think it came from Mum. She started me with piano and guitar lessons at primary school. The progress and development was stinted at times, I no longer play the piano and for some years I didn't even pick up a guitar. Nowadays it's the opposite and it's a very rare thing for me to not pick up the guitar regularly.
Family
Family events were almost always accompanied to music. Uncle Colin would often pull out his guitar and sing a John Denver or Carter family tune and I would join in from time to time. We would often go to 1C1, (a club no longer) who met at the Brunswick Mechanics Institute and listen to local and visiting artists, they were good times. Gradually I began to play with friends at the odd party, work event, wedding etc. But it wasn't really until I started playing regularly to seniors in Aged Care Facilities that I really enjoyed music for what it is - a means of communicating, a way to share joy, a joy in itself. And so the passion has grown and along with it, a new appreciation of life. Mum always said - you've got to live son! What she urged me, was to live life fully and for me personally, I don't think I can do that without music.
Canberra
It was in our nation's capital, where I really started to delve into the musical world and mix with some wonderful people like David Meyers, who was involved with all things acoustic/poetic in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Dave was well connected in the ACT scene (in a myriad of activities including music and bush poetry) and strongly involved with organisations like the Country Music Association of Canberra, the Monaro Folk Society and the Murrumbateman Acoustic Music Club. I highly recommend all of these groups to you, if you reside in the ACT and like live acoustic music.
Whilst living in Canberra, I made friends with Dianne and Michael Porter and regularly attended their monthly jam sessions. I tell people that they adopted me as their "bluegrass son" for a laugh. The reality is that they are really passionate about their music and they opened up a few doors for me. They are an inspiration and are really wonderful people as well as being very talented and unique musicians. Their passion is to reclaim public spaces for live music and I think that can only be a good thing, don't you? They host regular jams, usually in the shelter behind the Questacon, at midday every second Saturday of the month. It's all unplugged and they encourage sharing of group music, allowing everyone to join in in a genuine jam, rather than just taking turns listening to each individual play their most difficult piece of music. It is a big jam session, not a blackboard concert. If you're interested, check out their website which is listed on the links page.
Types of music: live, recorded, on-line
What kind of music do I like and play? Well, I like: folk, country, bluegrass, gospel and anything that sounds like those genres. I used to listen to classical music more but now I just love the "earthiness" and casualness of folk and country. I think it's a reflection of its roots and when you see where bluegrass originated from and the kind of people that embraced it, one can see it as an expression of a special kind of community spirit. A lot of that spirit unfortunately has been lost in todays modern age. The technological limitations of the music scene prior to the industrial revolution meant all music was live. No MP3 players back then! Talking to people involved being with them - no facebook! I like music from the sixties and early seventies too.
It was in our nation's capital, where I really started to delve into the musical world and mix with some wonderful people like David Meyers, who was involved with all things acoustic/poetic in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Dave was well connected in the ACT scene (in a myriad of activities including music and bush poetry) and strongly involved with organisations like the Country Music Association of Canberra, the Monaro Folk Society and the Murrumbateman Acoustic Music Club. I highly recommend all of these groups to you, if you reside in the ACT and like live acoustic music.
Whilst living in Canberra, I made friends with Dianne and Michael Porter and regularly attended their monthly jam sessions. I tell people that they adopted me as their "bluegrass son" for a laugh. The reality is that they are really passionate about their music and they opened up a few doors for me. They are an inspiration and are really wonderful people as well as being very talented and unique musicians. Their passion is to reclaim public spaces for live music and I think that can only be a good thing, don't you? They host regular jams, usually in the shelter behind the Questacon, at midday every second Saturday of the month. It's all unplugged and they encourage sharing of group music, allowing everyone to join in in a genuine jam, rather than just taking turns listening to each individual play their most difficult piece of music. It is a big jam session, not a blackboard concert. If you're interested, check out their website which is listed on the links page.
Types of music: live, recorded, on-line
What kind of music do I like and play? Well, I like: folk, country, bluegrass, gospel and anything that sounds like those genres. I used to listen to classical music more but now I just love the "earthiness" and casualness of folk and country. I think it's a reflection of its roots and when you see where bluegrass originated from and the kind of people that embraced it, one can see it as an expression of a special kind of community spirit. A lot of that spirit unfortunately has been lost in todays modern age. The technological limitations of the music scene prior to the industrial revolution meant all music was live. No MP3 players back then! Talking to people involved being with them - no facebook! I like music from the sixties and early seventies too.
Despite the development of modern electric guitars, electronic synthesisers and amplification systems, a lot of popular music from the sixties was often folk influenced and acoustic based. That period brought the whole concept of being a singer-songwriter to a whole new level, particularly as the recording/music industry expanded. It meant that a musician could play in London, be seen on TV in Australia, have them hit the charts in the mass media and then you could buy their vinyl records in Melbourne. The speed that can be done nowadays has increased exponentially and the whole computerised "on-line" dimension has really changed everything yet again.
Offers and aim
What can I offer you? Music of course. I perform and provide tuition. I'll play free for some venues, particularly charity and community based organisations. For other venues, an appropriate fee would be appreciated. Instruments cost money (particularly the good ones!) petrol isn't free and time is valuable. However more than anything at this particular point in time, I just want to be involved in the music scene here in Melbourne and play at a few different venues.
Other musicians
Whilst naturally I'm the main focus on this site, I will make mention of other musicians, venues etc. as I think music is so much bigger than myself and intrinsically, it is something to be shared. I enjoy listening to other artists and I am more than happy to promote them. I am also keen to support groups who encourage live acoustic music. The many and varied venues that support local talent, nurture the grassroots level that without, new acts would have no support, no-one would buy CDs and no-one would attend the festivals and concerts.
Please expect the site to develop and if you have any suggestions please don't hesitate to let me know.
Yours in music,
What can I offer you? Music of course. I perform and provide tuition. I'll play free for some venues, particularly charity and community based organisations. For other venues, an appropriate fee would be appreciated. Instruments cost money (particularly the good ones!) petrol isn't free and time is valuable. However more than anything at this particular point in time, I just want to be involved in the music scene here in Melbourne and play at a few different venues.
Other musicians
Whilst naturally I'm the main focus on this site, I will make mention of other musicians, venues etc. as I think music is so much bigger than myself and intrinsically, it is something to be shared. I enjoy listening to other artists and I am more than happy to promote them. I am also keen to support groups who encourage live acoustic music. The many and varied venues that support local talent, nurture the grassroots level that without, new acts would have no support, no-one would buy CDs and no-one would attend the festivals and concerts.
Please expect the site to develop and if you have any suggestions please don't hesitate to let me know.
Yours in music,
Jose Garcia
