Josh Thatcher on SoundBetter

Unlock your music's full potential with a seasoned professional! With 20 years of session work, 12 years running a recording studio, and expertise in guitar, production, and mixing, I bring passion and precision to every project. Let's create something extraordinary together.

With two decades of experience as a session guitarist, I've lent my talents to numerous local artists in the vibrant South African music scene. My journey began with formal training at the National School of the Arts, where I excelled in guitar and music theory, setting the foundation for my career. To diversify my skills, I embarked on a comprehensive drumming course, 'The Groove Class', enhancing my rhythmic proficiency.

In pursuit of excellence, I furthered my education with Berkeley University's renowned 'Steve Vai Techniques' course in 2013, refining my guitar mastery to new heights. Since 2012, I've proudly operated my own studio, offering a comprehensive suite of services including soundtrack composition, remote session work, band recording, and original composition for platforms like Audiojungle.

My passion lies in elevating every project to its fullest potential, combining technical precision with artistic innovation. Whether it's crafting mesmerizing guitar melodies, shaping immersive soundscapes, or honing the perfect mix, I bring dedication, expertise, and a relentless pursuit of excellence to every endeavor. Let's collaborate and bring your musical vision to life.

I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.

Credits

2 Reviews

Endorse Josh Thatcher

by Austin Deptula
Verified (Client)
Josh was great to work with! Excellent material - solid vision - knew exactly what he wanted and communicated it with ease. Looking forward to working with again in the future!
by stephen de kock
I've worked with Josh for over 20 years - both in live as well as studio environments. He is hard working and talented musician whose dedication to the craft, has built him a reputation as one of the best musicians and producers in South Africa. I highly recommend him and am always honored to be involved in any project we collaborate on.

Interview with Josh Thatcher

Q: What's your typical work process?
A: It really depends on what the job at hand is. If I'm composing I usually like to start with a basic chord progression and build a melody from there. Once a foundation is discovered then it's all about developing great parts on the chosen instruments and refining structure till the track has basically written itself. It's so important not to judge the process. Creativity always flows best when you leave the inner critic at the door. I always record more than I need and chisel it down to what the music requires until the track is complete.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a Mac Pro 2.1, 2 x 2,66 GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 64 Gb DDR2 Ram NVIDIA GeForce GT 430 1023 MB running Logic Pro X 10.3.0 and a wide selection of VST's and plugins. My A/I is a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 that handles vocal and instrument tracks and I am running a Alesis Crimson E/kit through Addictive Drums 2 for tracking drums (which I must just say is the most amazing thing EVER!). I got some great mics and a trusty pair of Behringer Truth B2031 monitors. For my guitar rig I have a Line 6 HD500 which I like to use for dual signal tracking with a DI box so I can re-amp the DI'd track at a later stage to beef the guitars up a bit. I also have a Mesa Boogie TransAtlantic amp with a designated pedal board with cascading drives and TC Electronic Nova System. And a plethora of guitars.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I'm a big fan of anything that pulls at my heart strings but a few of my inspirations are John Mayer, Dave Matthews, Ben Harper, Steve Vai, Zero 7 and Infected Mushroom.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I mostly work on soundtracks for clients at the moment but have done and still do a fair amount of guitar session work. I also get a lot of bands coming through my studio to record.