Brotherhood of the Guitar Artist – Josh Jaramillo

By: Robert M. Knight and Rick Landers

Josh Jaramillo – photo credit: Robert M. Knight

Watching Josh Jaramillo play guitar is a lesson in styles. He can mix it up with crunch, as well as get some flash glassy tones out of his Stratocaster.

And it all looks so easy, with a casual fluidity that comes from lots of practice and an inner channel of talent.

Raised in the dusty California town of Barstow, he found himself isolated socially and didn’t feel like he fit in.

But, that didn’t seem to bother him. His mind was elsewhere and not in step with his peers. He was more of a retro-rocker and found himself surrounded by the classic rock his grandfather played while he was hanging with him.

Zeppelin, the Doors, the Beatles and other heavy hitters from the ’60s and ’70s. And with them, Clapton, Page, Harrison, Hendrix and Beck…a virtual pantheon of rock crashing in on him from the rainbow hues of spinning black vinyl records

He’d studied air guitar moves while watching videos of Slash, John Mayer, Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix, well before he got his first guitar; a Fender Squire Stratocaster.

Josh would withdraw to his bedroom for hours on end listening to Appetite for Destruction, Zeppelin II and other guitar driven albums, searching and fumbling around the neck for the right notes. He learned by ear, figuring out the scales and modes and discovering the magic of his own guitar “voice” on the white Strat.

As a member of The Brotherhood of the Guitar, Josh has the horsepower of the Brotherhood’s supporters behind him. They include Fender; Guitar Center; Ernie Ball Strings and a troupe of some of the world’s finest guitarists like Steve Vai, Orianthi, Joe Bonamassa and more.

Josh Jaramillo met with Guitar International to talk about The Brotherhood, his development as an artist, his new band Exit Elsewhere and how much his world has grown since he stepped out of the desert.

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Rick Landers: How did The Brotherhood of the Guitar find you or did you find them?

Josh Jaramillo: I met Robert Knight before the Brotherhood was created. I remember him talking about the idea, and I thought it was fantastic. So when Robert and Jim Evans started the Brotherhood of the Guitar, I was one of the first members, along with about four other players. That was the beginning, and since then, the Brotherhood has grown immensely.

Rick: Barstow looks like it’s a universe away from any music scene. Were you able to thrive there, as a guitarist or did you feel isolated from other musicians?

Josh Jaramillo: Oh, man. That was the hard part. The music scene in Barstow was horrible. Just a few screamo bands playing local bars. Though I did find a few older guys to jam with who were into the same music I was. We would cover songs from Led Zeppelin, Guns N’ Roses, Black Sabbath, and Radiohead.

I also played guitar in my school’s jazz and marching band from 7th grade to 12th. So I found ways to grow as a musician even though it was very discouraging. I definitely felt isolated from the other musicians in Barstow, but that turned out to be a good thing.

Rick: I checked out the “Conjure” video and was wondering what gear you were using to get the sounds you were looking to get?

Josh Jaramillo: For Conjure I used my faithful American thin skin Stratocaster, which is my main guitar. I ran it through an original Crybaby wah-wah, an Xotic SP Compressor, Xotic SL Drive, and an MXR Carbon Copy into an American Hot Rod Deville 410 mic’d with an SM57.

Orianthi and Josh Jaramillo – photo credit: Robert M. Knight

Rick: Your guitar style seems very relaxed and fluid looking, almost delicate and reminded me a bit of Mark Knopfler in places. Are you reaching for any particular style or have you been influenced by a lot of diverse guitarists?

Josh Jaramillo: Thank you. I’ll take that! I’m definitely trying to develop my own style, but I would say my playing is most influenced by Jeff Beck, Steve Lukather and Jimmy Page. All amazing players, but they each have their own sound, which I am trying to find within myself.

Rick: I’d imagine a lot of doors have opened for you, given Robert M. Knight’s professional and personal network. Besides meeting new people and experiencing the larger music world, do you feel it’s made a significant impact on how you view the world, or maybe your world?

Josh Jaramillo: Robert has opened up so many doors for me, and once I walked through them my life changed completely.

Moving from Barstow to L.A., for sure, gave me a different view of the world and music. I’ve met almost all of my heroes, and collected advice from each of them. There’s no giving up, and there’s no plan B.

I’ve definitely developed some thick skin living out here dealing with different musicians, producers, and industries. I’ll never forget Robert telling me to “look at the business side of things, not the emotional. Do what’s best for you.” That advice is what gave me the courage to leave the band I was in with people I cared about, but wasn’t happy nor saw a future with this group.

Without that I would have never had the opportunity to join my current band, Exist Elsewhere. I can honestly say I have no regrets and couldn’t be happier.

Rick: Is your Strat your dream guitar or are you checking out another to add to your toolbox?

Josh Jaramillo: Strats are my weapons of choice. I own three and I’ve yet to find another guitar that feels and sings like they do. I also love Telecasters and Jazzmasters, which I use in my band to achieve a certain sound, along with my Strats.

Rick: Most young guitarists focus so much on the fame and fortune side of the business, that they forget it’s a business. Are you learning about managing your finances, your career and the need to continue to grow as a musician?

Josh Jaramillo: At first it was tough. I was really impatient and felt like I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do. I just knew I wanted to play guitar.

I’ve been living on my own in L.A. for a year now. I quit my day job at In-N-Out Burger, for music, and that was a huge risk for me. I didn’t know how I was going to come up with rent and pay the rest of my bills, but with the help of Robert, Marc Bernadout, my band manager, and family, I learned to grow not only as a musician but as human being.

I’ve never worked this hard in my life, but I honestly feel like everything is going in the right direction and I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

CHECK OUT THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE GUITAR STRATOCASTER CONTEST!

Rick: I read that you’ve been in something like 20 bands. That’s more than some musicians have in a lifetime. Does that say something about you, the bands or the difficulty in finding the right musical or personality fit?

Josh Jaramillo: Most of those “bands” were just different groups of people I enjoyed jamming with. Only about three bands I’ve been in were serious. I would say they didn’t last because I wanted to make music my life, and go as far as I could possibly go with it. Most of the guys I played with weren’t as passionate about music as I was, and had different goals in life. I respect that and I’m happy for them, but that’s just why we never got anywhere together.

Rick: What are you working on now that you can tell us about, as far as new projects and what dreams you’re realizing now that you’re getting some exposure?

Josh Jaramillo: My band Exist Elsewhere just released our EP, Beginnings, on iTunes and Soundcloud that I’m really happy about.

As far as new projects, I plan on making an instrumental solo album with some of the best musicians I know in the near future. My dream is to go far with Exist Elsewhere, as well as make a name for myself as a solo artist-guitarist.

Rick: Who’s that drummer in your video? He’s pretty impressive too.

Josh Jaramillo: His name is Elijah Wood. He’s one of my best friends and is also the drummer in my band Exist Elsewhere. Elijah is the most talented drummer I’ve had the honor of playing with. He’s only 18 years old and is already an endorsed Gretsch artist. I see a big future for him as well.