The Josh Glenn Experiment

One part singer-songwriter, one part “looping” folk scientist, my goal is to explore unique rhythms and melodies, braiding cool guitar riffs into a big atmospheric swirl of sound that engulfs the listener and brings them into the song making process.  I like to keep it organic sounding, using the guitar itself to create all the percussive beats and sometimes singing into the sound hole of the guitar for ghostly vocal effects. With a tap of the looping pedal, a percussive thump on the side of my guitar, a rhythmic arpeggio with some light delay, I methodically stack these simple riffs, one on top of the other, until there's a swell of musical parts dancing together in harmony. A huge part of the creation process is exploring different sounds I can make using delay and modulation pedals to make a songs' texture more interesting.

I would say about 75 percent of my set usually consists of my original music, which involves my use of the looping pedal. It's well rehearsed and structured. I use a wedge monitor so I can hear myself clearly while I'm playing. This allows me to control the volume of the main, outward speakers so guests have a comfortable listening experience. Another 20 percent of my set includes what I like to call original music by other people, aka covers. It's nice to hear something familiar during a set, and I recognize that. I have an ipad full of over 200 covers varying from new folk to classic folk and a few interesting treats inbetween. There's something in there for everybody. I'm also flexible with the percentage of covers to originals that I can play. Lastly, the remaining 5 percent I like to reserve to making up songs on the spot. At least once during a show, I will ask the audience for their help in coming up an idea for a song. I'll ask for 3 random WORDS and 3 random LETTERS A - G (the musical alphabet). From there I will build a song from scratch based on the information provided. Every single time I do this, whether the song itself is good, great, or amazing, I love the interaction with the audience and seeing the 'awe' in people's eyes, watching a song come to life. It's one of my favorite things to do at my shows.

As far as what I actually sound like, I would say at the core, I'm a singer-songwriter, indie folk, acoustic performer with a soulful voice. There are some songs where it's just me singing along while playing my acoustic guitar. Then there are the looping songs that build layer upon layer of simple riffs, a light percussive tap here, and short bass riff here, sweeping guitar strums, vocal harmonies (yes, I also have a vocal looper built into my rig). Before you know it, I sound like a full band. Remember though, I can control the overall volume and I take great care in soundchecking and making sure the sound coming out of the main speakers is at an appropriate volume. If we want it loud, I can go loud. If we want it ambient and more background music, I can accomodate.

MY ARTIST STATEMENT:
Music is one the greatest universal languages we have on this earth next to kindness and love. When creating music, It’s a way to express something in a way that is unique to you and only you. There are only so many notes in the musical alphabet and only so many words that can be said, but the way in which you choose to use those notes and words in combination with each other is where the art is found. There are many ways to write a song and one way is no better than another. I like to explore a song from the inside out. I might have a piece of music I really like or a really cool lyric or idea. I’ll try to write around that idea and expand on it, then maybe set it aside to rest when the ideas stop flowing. Other ideas may start to develop and before I know it, I’ll have several independent parts to something. My approach to songwriting is a bit like putting a puzzle together while also manipulating the pieces as I go along. I'll collect these musical "puzzle pieces" for a while, continuing to write and look for connections between them. Eventually, a connection is made and one of the ideas expands into a complete verse or chorus of a song. I like to live with my songs for a while as I write them, and let them evolve over time. When I say I like to live with the songs, I also mean take them out for a drive so to speak. I’ll perform the songs in their unfinished form (at an open mic or a local show) just to see how the energy of a room will affect the song. There’s always this invisible, reciprocating energy, flowing between the audience and the performer. Sometimes that energy can take a small idea to new and unexpected places. I’ll record these performances and analyze them afterward, taking note of what worked and what might need to be changed or consolidated. When exploring and creating, whether in my home studio or in front of an audience - It never ceases to amaze me when I reach these magical moments where part of a song reveals itself to me.

Born and raised in San Antonio, Tx, Josh Glenn is a self made, one-man-folk orchestra Armed with a soulful voice, an acoustic guitar, and the occasional tap of the looping pedal; Josh pieces together unique rhythms and sounds right before the listener’s eyes. The listener becomes entranced and enveloped into the musical process as energy is reciprocated between the moving of hips and the layering of sounds. Sometimes folky singer-songwriter, sometimes spontaneous mad-folk scientist, Josh takes you on a very personal musical journey, utilizing unique techniques along the way.

Josh first got a taste of songwriting at the age of 15, sharing his first acoustic guitar (a Seagull) with his mother. After taking a few weeks of lessons together, he was hooked and basically hijacked the guitar and played simple folk hymns for hours locked away in his bedroom. Freshman year of high school, Josh took a classical guitar course which had a huge influence on the arpeggiated style he utilizes to this day. By the time Josh graduated high school, he had transitioned to playing an electric Yamaha Pacifica, fronting a 3-piece pop punk band (trying to sound like Blink 182 and The Ataris). Josh played his first shows in front of local crowds, and even ended up coming in 3rd place at the local Battle Of The Bands competition.

By his mid 20’s, he’s in love with the acoustic guitar again and writing more than ever, finally releasing his first EP titled “Oh Universe” and soon after an album called “Energy Through A Wire”. These were really low budget releases and self distributed through cd copying and sharpie marker album art.

In the Summer of 2006, Josh sees another local musician playing a violin with a looping pedal, then switching to play the guitar. This was a revelation of epic proportions! With a desire to become a maestro at solos, playing “lead guitar”, and just a unique style of creating a different sound using this looping method- Josh ended up branding a new sound all his own. Countless hours of looping experiments ensued. Years went by and open mics became a test ground for these new developing creations.

Eventually, around 2012, this new folk-looping experimentalist started an avant-garde indie folk trio called Nat’l Parks with Eric Bell on electric guitar/synth, Sam Velazquez on percussion, and Josh Glenn on acoustic and vocals. The music was a combination of classical, Jazz, folk, rock, & electronica. In 2013, The trio released an EP titled “And Recreation” followed by a pseudo-live album in 2014 titled “As Live As Life Allows”, a studio album produced by Douglas Miles Clarke using a live track of Josh’s performance at The Circle School, first recorded on August of 2013 by Steve Circeo.

By 2015, Josh is utilizing the looping pedal for his solo gigs and going by the name Josh Glenn Experiment. The experiments evolved and they now have a more organized and structured feel. Compare to artists like Ed Sheeran (for looping), David Gray (for vocals), and Reggie Watts (for his playfulness). “Orange Moon” is the articulate debut album by the Josh Glenn Experiment which was released in December of 2016 and produced by Brant Sankey. This meticulous album took just over a year to complete, the final product showcases the culmination of various unique musical approaches and the collaboration efforts of many talented local musicians, including Sam Velazquez (Volcán), Kate Terrell (Wolverton), Jaime Mejia (Volcán), Jose Huizar (Volcán), and Jacob Rodriguez (Volcán).

Since the release of “Orange Moon”, Josh has toured all over the United States with his one-man-folk-orchestra and also with his folk duo, Yosh & Yimmy (a more traditional folk harmony based duo with Jimmy Willden). He has performed at many local music festivals including The King William Fair, Coffee Fest, Loop Fest, Fusion Fest, and Porch-fest. He was named by The Culture Trip as “(one of) the 10 new musicians in Texas you should know. In 2017 Josh was hand selected and chosen by a panel to receive a free music video for his song, “Make Believe”. Santikos Entertainment sponsored the music video showcase which was also organized by San Antonio Sound Garden and Alamo City Studios. Josh was paired up with local director, Rod Guajardo. It premiered at the palladium IMAX theater June 20, 2017 and won first place in the inaugural Riffs & Reels music video showcase.

Josh has appeared on the SA Living morning talk show, Kens 5 news, and Texas Public Radio. Recently in 2023, Josh was awarded an individual artist grant in order to write new songs based on the history, nature, and origins of San Antonio. This grant project was completed and the new songs were premiered at The Echo Bridge, located along the south San Antonio river. Currently, as of 2026, Josh is in the studio working on new songs for a new album, scheduled for an early 2027 release.

I will provide a full powered 8 channel PA system, with two outward facing 15" powered yamaha speakers (for the audience), and I'll also have one 15" wedge monitor speaker (placed in front of me so I can hear myself). I will have all the power strips and extension cables I need. I also run my own sound.

The only thing I will need is access to at least one power outlet.

I will also need some sort of lighting, as I don't have professional stage lighting (if we're setting up outside after dark).