Let me introduce you to Joshua Marquez, a talented Philadelphia-based Filipino-American composer, improviser, and sound artist whose creativity knows no limits. With a keen interest in exploring the intersection between tone and noise, as well as the digital and analog realms, Joshua delves into the complexities and duality of Asian American identity through his music. His music has been performed and recorded all over the world. He also performed in many different venues such as Arlene’s Grocery, the Spot Tavern, Elsewhere Museum, and Englert Theatre, among many others. Joshua holds a Ph.D. in composition from the University of Iowa in addition to an MM from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He currently serves as a Resident Composer for the Saint Mary’s College Summer Composition Intensive in Notre Dame, having previously taught at the University of Iowa and the Preucil School of Music.

Now we’re here to discuss Joshua’s latest endeavor, the release of his highly anticipated album, “Recycled Soundscapes.” The album examines how discarded materials and the sites that contain them can be transformed into sounds. He used field recordings and processed everything using analog tape loops and digital technology. By attempting to find music in everyday sounds, Joshua strives to examine our relationship to sound, noise, and those boundaries that define them. There are a variety of sounds in the recycling and waste stream, ranging from the mechanical rhythms of workers processing waste and recycled materials to the sounds of discarded instruments salvaged from the trash.

“Recycled Soundscapes” consists of just two tracks, however, each track is almost a whopping 20 minutes in length. “The Sorting Line” is our first track. Joshua’s style kind of reminds me of something you’ll hear in an 80s sci-fi flick. The ethereal soundscape on display is just fascinating. I could easily replace Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey’s original soundtrack with his sounds and I bet no one would raise a complaint. I love these instrumental ambient sounds. They’re so relaxing but at the same time haunting, almost unsettling (but in a good way). The next song is “The Tipping Floor” and I can’t help but think about Akira Yamaoka while listening to this song. Yamaoka is a Japanese video game composer most known for his work on the Silent Hill series. If you came today and showed me a new Silent Hill game trailer using this track I would be totally on board. Joshua has a knack for mixing all these different sounds and making something exceptional. The sounds are a perfect gateway that allows us to escape reality. 

The following is a brief description of the process and content of Joshua’s workflow: “Recycled Soundscapes is composed of field recordings taken from the recycling facility, Revolution Recovery, in addition to recorded material of instruments (and objects) rescued from the waste stream. From children’s instruments to vintage synthesizers, I used a number of sound-making devices to create the work in addition to field recordings taken from Revolution Recovery. Further, all of the material was recorded using microphones and equipment found in the waste stream during my residency at RAIR (Recycled Artist in Residence). Most of the music was recorded directly to magnetic tape (1/4″ and 1/8″ reel-to-reel and cassette) also retrieved from the waste stream. Of course, I spliced, cut, saturated, and altered the material in the final composition. Finally, the tapes were collaged and performed through a 40-yard dumpster. No conventional speakers were used for this process. I connected the cassette decks and reel-to-reel machines directly to sonic exciters adhered to the dumpster. The final mix was taken from this ‘dumpster performance’“

Joshua has a unique ability to push boundaries and challenge traditional notions of music. With “Recycled Soundscapes,” he solidifies his place as an innovative and influential presence in contemporary music. Keep an eye out for what’s coming out next. Joshua’s approach is one-of-a-kind and he continues to find ways to bring something fresh to the table. He is a true master of his craft and his style is something that can’t be replicated. It’s exciting to see what new sounds he will bring to us next.

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