JOSH NEEDHAM

Classically trained and having started on the piano at the age of 7, Josh has you feeling young again; capable of playing entire sets completely improvised, created on the spot according to the ‘mood of the room’, not to mention his show-off ability to play entire songs with his eyes closed. But this is only the beginning…

Josh Needham’s performing interest began at a very early age. As a 6 year old, he starred in his first school play, which sparked his zest for the stage. Since then, he has performed leading roles in a wide variety of musicals (‘Pirate King’ in Pirates of Penzance, ‘Tinman’ in The Wiz, and more) toured the country for his public speaking (winning 1st in all competitions) and engaged large crowds in his theatre sports activities. However his musical performance capabilities have been honed on stage, over the last 20 years performing in a wide variety of bands, and instruments.

As a classically trained musician, Josh completed all of his grades with flying colours. His journey has also taken him on adventures with a number of bands, beginning his song-writing at the age of 12. Since then he has performed professionally playing live drums, bass guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano & vocals, plus has composed for choirs, bands, DJ’s and solo artists, been a guest (and requested back) at Carols by Candlelight (over 8,000 in attendance), won numerous song-writing awards and illustrated decadent performances the nation over. Josh has even been internationally requested in parts of Europe, and performed in the US on stage at private functions. Josh also ran his own school of music (Solid Ground School of Music) from 2002-2005 teaching Music Theory, Composition, Vocals, Guitar and Piano.

2 years ago Josh was asked to be coached by Australia’s number 1 vocal coach, David Jaanz for professional tuition on his already outstanding vocals. Jaanz (having taught Delta Goodrem, Daniel Merriweather, CDB, Peter Andre, & many more – also sang with John Farnham, Stevie Wonder, and more) has testified to Josh being one of the greatest songwriters and performers he has ever taught. Last year Josh blitzed the school’s award for song-writing.

Recently Josh has also begun in electronic music production, currently working on a variety of acts, including his act with his new fiancé, Alisha Merritt (vocalist with Vanessa Amarosi), utilising their pop writing and years of performance experience, the act has already been offered a number of resident venues for weekly performances, despite the band not ever having played live – not even once. Hence, Josh’s local reputation for absolute professionalism and high quality entertainment alone is paving the way.

His modelling background however presents a whole other dynamic to his already appealing nature. Entering the room, one is not sure if he’s about to strut his stuff on the catwalk, or begin the shirt-removing dance moves that Dirty Dancing so nostalgically implanted into the masses. However whilst confident and always ready to party, Josh remains true to his art and true to his musicianship by maintaining the highest quality standard of musical performance through regular performing.

Being offered jobs on famous tropical islands, through to world-class cruise ships, it’s a wonder that this boy has remained in Melbourne. Not surprisingly though, Melbourne isn’t complaining. As an artist, Josh is currently under review by management and is already winning praises for his recent beginning for writing more regularly for other bands and artists, beginning to step into professional production. The Australian Performing Rights Association (APRA) is already receiving a number of professionally written tracks for solo artists and bands, and Josh is continuing to establish himself in the music industry abroad, with a large scale international performance, production and publishing career in mind.