Artist Spotlight :: Josh Espinoza

Bio

I started playing guitar at 14 and quickly became more interested in creating music rather than learning other people’s music. I jumped around learning how to play with other people in bands. Nothing I’d call a real band until I formed the metallic hardcore band Fate Thirteen. With that band I learned how to be a real band and did numerous tours around the country. After that I joined the hardcore band The Wrath and continued touring before quitting and forming my current band Worship. With Worship I decided to be more free with my writing and mix elements of post metal, doom, sludge, hardcore and have now even experimented with blackgaze and electronic music.

What/Who inspired you to pick up your instrument?

My cousin Ryan was always playing guitar and I thought it was the coolest thing. At the same time I was riding BMX and really got into punk, hardcore and metal. He also introduced me to the Sub Pop/grunge scene. All the music I was discovering at the time wasn’t like shredding or guitar hero type stuff and when I started learning he taught me some songs and I thought this stuff isn’t that hard. I can do this.

What piece of musical advice would you give yourself if you could go back in time to the beginning of your musical journey?

Actually take the time and learn theory.

What keeps you excited about playing?

Playing live and meeting people from all walks of life. I also just enjoy creating and recording.

Desert Island 3 pedal pedalboard (not including tuner)

Black Arts Toneworks Black Forest, Strymon Big Sky and Strymon Timeline.

When you find yourself in a musical rut, what techniques do you do to break out of it?

Play in a different tuning. It makes me think differently and if it’s a tuning I don’t play in much I find myself just exploring the instrument freely and not over thinking.

Who is your favorite artist/band today? And who was your favorite artist/band 10 years ago?

Converge, Cave In, Isis and Neurosis have been my favorites for well over 10 years.

When you find yourself in a music store - what is your go-to riff when test drive gear?

Not a certain riff, but various songs of ours.

What is your most prized/charished piece of gear? And why?

My EGC guitars. I’ve never fell in love faster with any other guitars. Kevin is a genius.

What is the next big musical purchase you're hoping to save for?

Probably a Fender Twin Reverb. I am going to be purchasing more gear before we record our next full length.

Gear Breakdown

I use a 2 amp rig. I'’'d say my main amp is my Matamp GT120MV and the other is an Orange Rockerverb MKIII 100. I run a number of dirt pedals through the Matamp combined with the gain channel of the Orange. My main distortion sound comes from the Black Arts Toneworks Black Forest. Other dirt I use is a Black Arts Toneworks Pharaoh fuzz, Earthquaker Devices Life Pedal, EQD Acapulco Gold and EQD Plumbs. I also use a Strymon Big Sky, Volante and Mobius pedals as well as a Stone Deaf FX Noise Reaper. All is controlled by a Gigrig G3. I use Rattlesnake speaker and instrument cables because of the durability and quality.

Bands / Projects

Listen on Spotify

Social Links

Want to be featured as an Artist Spotlight?

Do you have to be a famous musician to be featured? No. Do you have to be a professional musician to be featured? No. Do you have passion about playing and gear -- oh and a verified Rattlesnake Cable Company cable user. Yes!

All you need to do is contact us and we'll direct you to our submission form. If your submission is approved, it will be in the queue to be showcased!