Josué Angel Muñoz

Tell us about yourself as an artist/musician. What do you do?

My name is Josué Angel Muñoz and I am a music teacher, but I’m also a songwriter, producer, and performer. I play guitar, bass, piano, and some vocals. I’m also in a couple of different bands right now, including my own band, Stereo Grim, where I write all my solo music.

How long have you been making music, and what sparked your interest in music?

I’ve been playing music since I was in elementary school during the third grade. I started with alto saxophone when I did band. However, when I got to middle school, my older brother gave me his guitar. Since then, I’ve been writing songs, started a band, and trying to make it as an artist.

Tell us about your time at NOMU so far? Do you have a favorite memory or experience during your time here?

I think the program is great. My time here has been fun, and I appreciate every moment because I’m learning in so many different directions. I’m learning to be a better songwriter, performer, and producer. Those things are coming together and helping me in my music and life. So I appreciate all the time that I spent here.

My favorite memory is anytime I record in the studio, or every time one of my songs makes it on the album, it feels pretty good.

When you're writing or playing music, what influences constantly inspire you as a musician/artist (specific artist, film, art piece, etc.)?

I try my best to get influences from all different parts of my life. I’ve been influenced by films, life experiences, poetry, and books. All of those things sometimes contribute to a song. What I’m trying to do is open myself up to different influences so they can inspire new music. One of my biggest influences in terms of an artist is Jack White from The White Stripes (although he also has a solo career). What makes him so great is that he is a songwriter, but he is also moving the music industry along, not only with his company, Third Man Records but also with the comeback of vinyl records. He’s trying to push back onto the music industry this trend. He’s not only an influence to me but also the entire music industry in America. I appreciate him for that, and I think all of his music is great and influences me as an artist.

What are your plans or goals in your life now concerning school, music, or just personally, any other pursuits?

I just started my own business called Noise Roof Studios. I do music lessons and also do commission recordings. What I want to do hopefully is record more bands and projects. I’m interested in doing projects involving foley or scores for video games and film because I’ve been doing that for a while. Hopefully, I’m also going to be pushing my new album out with my band, Stereo Grim, by the end of this year. I would like to go on tour and play many shows under that name. That’s what I’m looking forward to.

Any hobbies outside of music that you're interested in?

I’m into cooking, writing, and reading. I’m trying to write my own book right now, and I started reading “Death of a Salesman,” which is a great book. I love banned classic literature, so there’s a bunch of literature that I've been trying to get a hold of. The last one that I read was “Tropic of Cancer” by Henry Miller. Crazy book. So I suggest people read banned literature because it’s the best stuff out there.

What sparked this interest in banned literature?

I started reading this book called “Slaughterhouse-Five” by Kurt Vonnegut. I discovered that the book was banned, and I wondered why because I thought it was awesome. That book is anti-war. It’s a soldier who was in World War 2 and witnessed carpet-bombings in Germany. His experience was so bad and traumatizing to him. The reason why books like these are banned is because they usually say something that the people in charge don’t want you to know, so that’s why you should read them.

Is there anything you’d like to add, anything you want to tell whoever might be reading this interview, or anything you want people to know about you?

I went to UCR to get my degree in music and culture. I am coming back to Norco to get my degree in audio production. I did that because I realized that my degree in music and culture would have me talking a lot about music, which I love to do. However, instead of being a musicologist, I would rather record and write music to hopefully be a part of the movements that musicologists talk about. That entire thinking changed my perspective on what I wanted out of school. Maybe that would help someone who is thinking of becoming either a musicologist or a record producer. I’m glad to be coming back to school to record music because that’s what I want to do.

Also, check me out on Instagram, @stereogrim and @noiseroof

Album Credits:

Gravity

Untitled#fun
Lookin’

Louder Than Words

Reminiscence