Ghost Orchid (Josh J Searles of Daega Sound)

Josh J. Searles is a multi-talented classical guitarist, composer and music producer. Searles has been performing music throughout his life from a very young age. He has performed across Canada, US, the UK and Spain. He holds a masters degree in Classical Guitar Performance from the prestigious program at University of Alicante, having studied with some of the worlds most celebrated virtuoso guitarists, Grammy winning David Russell, Manuel Barrueco and Sergio Assad. Prior to Spain he studied with world-renowned Brazilian guitarist and percussionist Celso Machado and virtuoso Cuban guitarist Iliana Matos.

A music producer and composer with two decades of experience, his newest foray has taken shape under the name Ghost Orchid. In 2022 he was awarded a grant from the Canada Arts Council for the creation of a full album and live performance of his avante garde hybrid classical guitar and electronic music. The album released independently in Dec 2023, will be fully released for streaming in Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 in the spring of 2024. Ghost Orchid is booked to perform some of Canada’s most innovative music festivals and venues in 2024.

Under monikers Daega Sound and Tamarak Searles has written /co-written and produced dozens of original tracks and remixes appearing on vinyl, CD and digitally on various international and national labels like Muti Music, Worst Behaviour Records, Interchill, Mutek Recordings, Deep Heads, King Deluxe, Car crash Set, TubaNYC, Black Box, Really Good Recordings, Unchained, East Van Digital, Woodwork Recordings, Hatched Music, CX Digital. He has collaborated most recently with American producer and DJ Andre Lira AKA Dr.Jeep. Many releases have been in the Top 10 charts on Beatport and Junodownload and he has had continued radio support including on BBC Radio1. As a touring DJ he performed regularly at music festivals like Shambhala, Bass Coast, Om, Motion Notion, Astral Harvest and many clubs in Canada, UK and in the US.

Searles has also written and co-written short film scores that have premiered at the Vancouver International Film Festival (CAN). The first short titled “A Love Poem” by director and filmmaker Ana Valine, won best experimental film at Videobardo, Buenos Aires (ARG), and showed at the Northwest Film Fest Portland (USA), and the Native American Film Festival in New York (USA). Searles has also licensed original music for film and various video productions. His music has appeared on Pel’sic (Home Coming) a short film by Helen Haig-Brown.

His life of music is an extremely dedicated and passionate journey. His talent, love, and discipline, combined with many years of experience, give him a unique ability and original sound when performing classical guitar or composing music. Always keeping his artistic integrity as the North Star that guides him. Searles studio is in a beautiful coastal setting in British Columbia, Canada.