I just posted some new videos on my brand new Facebook page:

Hey! I know it's last minute but I'm playing the song show at the can can (thecancan.com) in Seattle tonight. Swing by and bring friends if you're in the area! Show starts at 8 (tickets $5).

Any package from home is a blessing when you're deployed. Regardless of the contents, what really makes it special is that someone took the time to go to the post office, fill out a customs form, and send it in the first place. I feel absolutely spoiled: I received three care packages this week, all of which contained something I've been craving more than the snacks, baby wipes, and magazines that people usually send. They had music in them.

I don't really need much over here. I'm well fed. I have my guitar. I even have a laptop and a microphone to record with which is more than I could have hoped for when I left nearly 3 months ago.

Still, I can't help but wonder how a conversation with my WWII veteran grandfather would play out if I were to explain my ''need'' for music. I brought a handful of CDs and my iPod with me, but the iPod is a measly 8GB, and I find it difficult, for sentimental reasons, to replace old songs with new ones. I know. Life is tough. Sorry, grandpa.

Friday is Karaoke night at the dining facility here. It may be difficult to imagine soldiers singing karaoke in Iraq but it really isn't that different from back home. Instead of a bar, imagine a Costco-sized building with a camouflaged gun-toting audience and salad bar. I never seem to be around for dinner on karaoke night, but when I am it seems like the same guy is always up there.

He's bald, wears thick black-rimmed glasses, and is probably well into his 40s. I'd like to think of myself as his biggest fan, but, unfortunately, he seems to have a gift for getting songs stuck in my head. Last Friday it was 'What a Difference You've Made in My Heart', by Ronnie Milsap. I had to look up the artist but I vaguely remember hearing it on my dad's favorite AM radio station as a kid. Needless to say, it isn't the best song to have stuck in your head for a week, especially considering the looks you get after randomly bursting into the chorus around other soldiers. So I'll feel at least a little better if the discussion over what does and does not constitute ''need'' during wartime pops up with my grandpa.

Maybe not.

Sorry, Ronnie Milsap.

Just over a year ago I was sitting at the Austin International airport, waiting to fly back to North Carolina after my first SxSW experience. Getting to Austin a few days earlier was difficult. I didn't know until the day before my flight whether or not I'd be able to make it. I had just finished a very long block of training; the paperwork approving my time off hadn't gone through. As I was worrying about the flight, and possibly missing my chance to play at SxSW, I was also packing up for a move to Ft. Campbell, KY the following week.

Fortunately, I made it to SxSW and had a wonderful few days in Austin. My only Texas experience up until that point was a trip my family took to visit relatives in Dallas when I was three. All that I can remember from that trip is a blue swing set in my grandfather's yard and a Patsy Cline record playing constantly in his Texas style rambler.

Austin was nothing like the Texas I remembered nor expected.

I watched the bats filter out from underneath the Congress Avenue bridge at dusk . I had a glorious hangover antidote of a breakfast at Los Manitas, consisting of chorizo sausage, coffee, and fried plantains. I walked to the Capitol building, sat on its lawn and read a book. I stopped at a taco stand at 2am with friends just 'cause. I saw a handful of bands, some of them old favorites and some of them new.

I nearly drove down to the gulf of Mexico with a few friends, but at the last minute, things fell through. Suffice it to say my time in Austin was wonderful.

I've been able to watch a few videos from this year's SxSW. It's exciting for me to have internet and be able to experience a little bit of the festival from here.

I finally have a laptop, after over three years of pestering other people to use their computers. I purchased a new microphone online and have been dabbling in the art of recording on a computer. I've been writing and recording when I can, usually late at night.

It seems odd to me that I now own better recording equipment in Iraq than I ever have in the States. I haven't been sleeping much lately. Mostly because of garageband. Probably the reason why my cold is still around after a week. Ugh. I enjoy it though.

The macbook, not the cold. Gotta go for now. Blog soon.

Here's a little taste of recording while I was home on leave this past December.

--josh

Early morning wake-ups and last minute packing.  I may be out of reach for a bit.  I'm not entirely sure how much access I'll have to the internet for the next few months but hopefully it's consistent. 
Thank you so very much to those of you that made it to the show at the Triple Door on December 27th.  I cannot imagine a more enjoyable send off than being able to play music for family and friends in Seattle. 
Take care and God bless,
-Josh

This last week has been a busy one. I recorded in Bellevue during the height of a snow storm, driving back and forth across I-90 when it probably wasn't the smartest thing. Several power outtages during the recording process made things even more interesting but, fortunately, we were able to finish 11 new tracks. My rental has held up and handled quite nicely in the snow, although I had to remove a large plastic part that was dangling from the underside today. Hopefully, it's something that can be taped or tied back .. I turn it in?

I'm playing the Triple Door (216 Union St.) tomorrow at 8pm. This will be my last show before deploying in January and I've been looking forward to it for awhile. Rebecca is out of town on vacation so things will be a little more scaled back with Neal playing guitar/cello and James on drums. Husbands, Love Your Wives (http://www.myspace.com/husbandsloveyourwives) will be playing too.

Swing by if you're able!

-josh

I wanted to send out a quick note to say that I'll be playing at the Easy Street in Queen Anne (20 Mercer St., Seattle) this Tuesday, December, 16th  @ 6:00PM.  This will be my second-to-last show before I take off in January, so drop by and say hello if you're in the area.  

I was lucky enough to work at the Easy Street booth for about 20 minutes during Sasquatch this year.  It might be a stretch to call it work, seeing as how I mostly just got in the way and drank their beer, but the people were really great and I'm looking forward to playing some music and hanging out.  I'm recording in less than a week too so I'll probably play a number of newer songs along with some older ones.

Happy Holidays!!      

 

 

 

I'm flying to Syracuse on Wednesday to spend Thanksgiving with my sister and brother-in-law.  They're both vegetarians so my sister has offered to make tofurkey but I'm secretly planning on a turkey sandwich... eaten in secret... like a cigarette on the back porch when no one's looking. 

It's nice to get away from this military town for awhile.   It's dipped down into the 20s already in Tennessee, so I can hardly imagine what the weather will be like in upstate New York this time of year. 

I'm flying home on December 14th.  Not a moment too soon.  I've been busy since Summer and I could use a few cold and wet weeks in Seattle.  I'm most excited about recording and playing at the Triple Door again (Dec. 27th).  I deploy in January, probably for the last time before I leave the Army, so it'll be nice to finally get some new songs down on "tape" beforehand.

Hope everyone's Thanksgiving is special.  Tofurkey or no tofurkey. 

 

 

            

hi all--
seattle's CW 11 just created a piece, which is now up on their website (www.kstw.com/underground). see below for more. i'm grateful and deeply humbled for their time and thoughtful efforts.

my best,
--josh


Greetings All,

We are pleased to announce the launch of our latest "Underground" story on singer/songwriter Joshua Morrison. Joshua is a native of Monroe, WA, and has recently released his debut album entitled "Home". John Richards, host of The Morning Show on KEXP, called him "…one of the best singer/songwriters this area has seen since Elliott Smith made his home in Portland."

David Fry produced and edited this story and, in my humble opinion, hit it outta the park. But don't take my word for it – take a nine minute break and check it out:

www.kstw.com/underground


Best,
Howard


h o w a r d s h a c k 
Senior Producer
KSTW-TV | Seattle

My 36 hours in Washington was fast and furious. I am grateful to have had the chance to play for KEXP's Music Lounge during Bumbershoot. Here's a recap of the peformance.

http://blog.kexp.org/blog/2008/09/01/bumbershoot-music-lounge-day-2-joshua-morrison/

For all those who were able to attend, thank you. For those of you who were planning on my Monday performance, please accept my apologies.

For those of you residing in the Portland metro area, I'm performing as part of Seattle Sound's MusicFest NW showcase tomorrow evening @ 8pm @ Holocene. I hope you'll be able to attend, as this will likely be my last show until year's end. I'll keep you posted.

To more music--
--josh