Today we’d like to introduce you to Dylan Joseph.
Hi Dylan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey started as early as I can remember. For the longest time, I BEGGED my parents to let me play the guitar. When I was seven years old, I finally got that opportunity. For the next decade, I would sit in my room every night in northern New Jersey and practice as hard as I could. If I wasn’t practicing, I was writing. In 2016 I went to my first Dreamcatcher Guitar camp, Joe Satriani’s G4 Experience, and it was there that I met so many amazing people, who changed my mindset on guitar for the better. I still go to these camps today, and I am glad to call many of the attendees and instructors my friends!
I had been in one band before, but my first original band that I was in was Chasing Paragon in 2017. It consisted of my twin sister, Nikki Nieradka, on vocals, as well as my best friends Angelo Limentani and Mike Rodriguez on drums and bass. We have multiple singles out now, as well as a full length album, “Lost”! For over five years, we played shows around the country, including notable stages and venues such as Summerfest in Milwaukee, WI, where I was also a finalist in the 2019 Shredfest competition, and The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ. In between all of the shows, I was constantly submitting to guitar contests and collaboration videos on the internet. which led me to winning the Trans-Siberian Orchestra x School of Rock contest in 2020. As the new decade rolled in, new opportunities arose. I competed as a finalist in the Dallas International Guitar Festival’s “Ten Under 20” competition in 2021. In 2021 and 2022, I was featured on the Abasi Concepts social media pages for my guitar work! Of course, I kept playing shows, and learning from anyone I could up until the biggest change of my life in 2023. I moved from New Jersey to Nashville. I had never moved, and this, in my head, was the closing of the first chapter of my life, and the opening of the chapter of perusing my dreams.
Since I got to Nashville, I have been attending Belmont University, here in Nashville! I have met so many amazing people through college, and and people such as Abbey Bailey, Jack Maucere, Carter Rubin, Alex Manson, and Noah Instinski are some of my best friends for life, and some of the most talented creatives I have ever met!
When I got to college my goal was simple: do anything and everything to make sure that I can be a musician full time! I went out to shows and met my now friends, I played everywhere I could, I was still writing and releasing music, and posting on social media. On top of this I was in school as well! Through these endeavors I have found my own band, consisting of Jake DiTomaso (also of Sidestage Management!), Mika Sibinkic, Nikki Nieradka, Lydia Willow, Jack Maucere, and Eli Dranow. I also found myself in a few bands after my first year in school, including The Pallay Boys, and Carter Rubin! As my sophomore year rolled in, I had released my first single, “ADHD” under my name, Dylan Joseph, I had began gigging around Nashville as my full time job! I went on my first tour in September 2024, and throughout the year I was balancing school and my career even more. As of present day, I am involved in many projects, either as a band member, writer, producer, or a hired gun! As I am writing this, I am on the road with Jet Jergensmeyer, doing a cross country trip playing music!
For my solo project, Dylan Joseph, I have expanded my abilities to front my band and write the music, including being a lead vocalist, a bassist, and a composer. Through this project I have also learned a bit on how to be a Musical Director for a show! The Dylan Joseph project is my passion – and it is meant to be a transparent version of my life, told through song! I also released another single called “Broken Wings” with a full music video (shot by Abbey Bailey), in May! I have a LOT of material coming in the coming months, and I cannot wait to show you all! Lastly, without the support of my parents, my sister, my mentors, and my closest friends, I would not be where I am today at 20 years old, and for them I will forever be grateful.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t necessarily say that it has been a smooth road, but I do believe that it has been smoother than a lot of people, which I am fortunate for. I think honestly, the biggest struggle was with myself. The constant struggle of not feeling worthy or good enough has been with me for as long as I can remember. For this reason, I would work myself into the ground and burn out quite often, and this is a habit I have to this day. I am doing my best to break this habit, as I want to prioritize my health more than I used to. I believe because of this habit, I sacrificed a bit of my social time in middle school and high school. I do believe there was an upside to this though, as I got a considerable amount of practice time in when I was younger, which I appreciate. I also would have not been able to practice this much and fall in love with the guitar if it weren’t for my parents making me practice 30 minutes a day when I was a child!
I also have had more personal struggles along the way, such as conflicts with close friends and rough relationships. At the height of my personal struggle, I moved to Nashville. I believed that would solve my problems, but it quickly became evident that I was going to have to do a lot of work to get over what I went through. Through music and the guitar, it has been very cathartic for me since then, and I am grateful to have a place where I can turn very hard times and experiences into something beautiful.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an rock and metal artist here in Nashville, and I play shows often! I am also a sideman in many projects in Nashville, ranging in multiple genres like pop, rock, metal, and even country! I specialize in the guitar, as I have been playing for nearly 13 years now. The guitar is what I am known for, especially in the rock/metal/prog genres. I believe this is where my true voice, and signature sound show themselves. My music is very guitar-driven for my solo music! I also am a sidemen in multiple bands, a session musician, a songwriter, producer as well. I am most proud of the work I have put in, especially for guitar, and it took me a long time to realize that. I never gave myself credit for the time I practiced until recently, and because of that I have an unmatched work ethic, which I am also known for. With each artist, each song, and each note, I strive to make every piece of music I play sound like I personally experienced what each song is saying. This is absolutely what sets me apart from other 20 year-olds and other musicians.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Reach out to me on any social media! I am most active on Instagram! You can also reach out to my management, Sidestage, as well as my email dylanjosephguitar@gmail.com. To support me, following my social media @dylanjosephguitar on most platforms is a great start! Also, go stream my music! I am under Dylan Joseph on all platforms, and I currently have two singles out, called “ADHD” and “Broken Wings”, with much more to come!! 🙂
Pricing:
- For pricing on session work, live shows, song features, and production, feel free to message me, or my management jakedito@sidestagemgmt.com !
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sites.google.com/view/dylanjosephguitar/music?authuser=0
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylanjosephguitar/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DylanJosephGuitar
- Twitter: https://x.com/dylanjguitar?s=21
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dylanjosephguitar
- Other: https://linktr.ee/dylanjosephguitar?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacMLeBkCwVDIQRU5d4mjYXOsygMw2MtL4thAsce5gPVWL8Pw8z14YFoOQhauA_aem_ZUAfa62qkDmns6zMl9NaeQ
