Joseph Strider

Joseph Strider is happy when the phone rings and interrupts his work.
"I'm working on a set list for Friday, and I hate doing it," he says, with a good-natured growl.
"I just want to play everything," he says. "If I could get on the stage and play for four hours, I'd be a happy camper. So when I'm given two hours ... well, it's difficult choosing."
Strider is planning for a First Friday performance from 7 to 9 p.m. at Building Character, 342 N. Queen St.
Perhaps the bigger deal is next Friday, however, when winners of this year's Native American Music Awards — aka "The Nammys" — are announced. Strider is up for "debut artist of the year."
But Strider says neither Friday event has him worried.
"I used to be jittery and knee-knocking" before a show, he says. "But I believe in things happening for a reason. When I'm on stage, I am supposed to be there. The Creator and Spirit has put me there.
"I feel the same emotionally whether I'm fixing my bed or making some coffee or performing in front of 1,000 people. That's where I'm supposed to be in life," he explains. "There's order to the universe. I'm here for a reason. So are you."
As for the Nammys, "I'm honored to be considered. It was an honor to be chosen by my peers. But I don't think I'm going to win."
Strider was signed to Spirit Wind Records almost immediately after his NAMA nomination was announced. He released two albums, most recently "Little Bird" in 2010.
Strider, 48, grew up in Texas, entirely unaware of his Native American heritage.
His musical journey began with an AM radio and the Beatles. "I was always singing along," he says.
He got involved in choirs, singing soprano and mostly in Latin. As he grew older, he drifted into hard rock.
He tried his hand at electric guitar, but "I wasn't very good. Fortunately, I could sing."
He toured with several bands, then got tired of it all.
"I went through a number of years of reflection, and I didn't want to play rock music any more," he says.
"Then I got an acoustic guitar. I started listening to Spanish guitar, to jazz and acoustic music."
He learned of his native heritage — Strider is part Lipan Apache — and, after leaving Texas, began exploring his roots.
"I started to work myself more into a spiritual walk," Strider says.
"I'm trying to write beauty. So I try to see things that are beautiful," he says. "We need to think in one consciousness, so we can help one another. If I can touch one person, that's good.
"I keep thinking about these things."
That doesn't mean he's wrapped up in Native American symbolism, however.
"I don't dress up in regalia. I don't dress in deerskin or wear feathers in my hair. Occasionally, I play a drum song," Strider says.
"I don't really write 'native' music. I'm a native who was born running through cities. I'm not a rez kid. I do have a song about my first vision quest, though. And I wrote a song about the Trail of Tears."
He describes his music as "modern indigenous alternative."
"Walk in beauty. That's what I'm trying to do."
Strider moved to the Lancaster area in February.
"The bottom line is, there's a woman," he says, making a quick plug for girlfriend Liz Mallin, who plays violin for the Kilmaine Saints, a local Celtic punk band. "It's been a really good thing."
tknapp@lnpnews.com
Joseph Strider
Fridayfrom 7-9
Free. Building Character
342 N. Queen St., Warehouse B
394-7201
www.buildingcharacter.biz
- Lancaster Online

Interview with DJ Tanis - Treble Rocks Radio

Interview April 2010 - Robo Robb

Debut Artist of the Year
- Native American Music Awards

“I had a sweet opportunity to interview Joseph Strider to talk about his music, intelligent lyrics and we get in depth talking about humanity and the world. Joseph’s powerful lyrics and music are incredible timeless masterpieces that have a powerful message and strong imagery.”
l - Tina Wilson, HMTV Canada

So maybe it’s not on the same scale as Native American news making national television with MSNBC commentator Keith Olbermann.
But we’re touched to read about this Saturday’s planned fundraiser at the Community Mennonite Church in Lancaster, Pa.
According to the Out of the Cold page on Facebook, the church will host a benefit concert to help people on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in South Dakota, devastated by blizzards that left thousands without power and water. - The Buffalo Post

Devastating and deadly winter storms have left the Cheyenne River Sioux reservation in South Dakota in dire need of assistance. Over the last two weekends of January, 2010, powerful ice storms blew through this region of the northern plains and left in it's wake over 2,500 downed power and utility poles and approximately 95% of this impoverished Native American reservation without electricity and heat.

Many Native and non-native musicians have come together to lend their support through benefit concerts and proceeds from the sale of their music.

On February 27th, 2010 such a concert will held in Lancaster, PA. and is being promoted as the 'Out Of The Cold Benefit Concert.' Organized by Native American musician Joseph Strider (Lipan Apache), the concert is scheduled to feature performances by Strider, Nadine, Terry Strongheart and other concerned artists.

Strider, according to information on his website, is affiliated with many upcoming charity and benefit type of events including, The Haitian Relief Benefit Concert in Exton, PA. (April 2010) and the Benefit ForApache Education Programs tentatively scheduled for June 2010 in Corpus Christi, TX. - Examiner.com

Joseph Strider is a very talented song writer and gifted with a soft voice that will touches the bottom of your heart, his unique acoustic guitar playing is one of the best I have heard in a long time!


Joseph Strider's CD is pure musical ecstasy. Each song unfolds in a spiral of amazingly intricate guitar melodies and intelligent, heartfelt lyrics; stories of reaching outward to return to the Center. With its most sophisticated and complex acoustic guitar style combined with soothing vocals, Meanings with Meanings within Meanings is one fiercely meaningful CD from deep within. Definitely looking forward to more from this artist.


"Meanings within Meanings, within Meanings" is a true journey of life and wonder. All of the meanings and aspects of what Life is, these are all the aspects Joseph brings to the table with this CD. You will be able to share the journey within the music, meanings, lyrics, and soul of this album. I was drawn to this music from the beginning of hearing it live to purchasing the cd. Joseph is amazing at bringing forth the emotion, talent and depth of these songs. When you listen to this cd, you will be transported within the soul of the music as well as within the artist's inspiration and journey, these songs will leave everlasting footprints within your spirit. I highly recommend it, you will not be disappointed.
- from CDBaby