Skip to content
  • About me
  • Research
  • Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
  • Public Concerts
  • Video
  • Discography
  • Links
  • Papers, panels and lecture recitals
  • Contact

Joseph Tabua

  • New Beginnings Festival Jan 27 2024

    February 12th, 2024

    Finding Harmony: My Journey with Avaye Rood

    In the realm where music transcends borders and cultures, I found my harmonious home within the mesmerising melodies of Avaye Rood. It all began with a captivating invitation from the virtuoso multi-instrumentalist, Behzad Ansari, following my performance at the Volume Festival on September 23. Little did I know, this encounter would mark the beginning of an enchanting musical journey.

    A month later, I embarked on a musical odyssey as I joined Avaye Rood, an ensemble that deftly blends Persian-inspired originals with the timeless verses of Rumi, seamlessly weaving together English and Persian languages. As I plugged in my electric guitar and became immersed in the rich tapestry of sound created by Behzad Ansari and his ensemble, I felt an immediate connection to the soulful essence of their music.

    Our recent performance at the New Beginnings Festival on January 27 at the prestigious National Maritime Museum was a testament to the transformative power of music. As we took to the stage, the energy emanating from the audience was palpable, infusing each note with a profound sense of connection and belonging. It was a night where music served as the universal language, uniting hearts and souls in a symphony of shared experiences.

    Playing alongside Avaye Rood has been nothing short of profound. In the synergy of our musical collaboration, I have discovered a sense of kinship and camaraderie unlike anything I’ve experienced before. It’s as if our collective passion for music transcends individuality, weaving us together into a harmonious ensemble where every note resonates with purpose and meaning.

    In retrospect, I realise that this sense of belonging within Avaye Rood is more than just musical chemistry—it’s a profound understanding and appreciation for the transformative power of music. It’s a reminder that music has the unparalleled ability to bridge divides, transcend boundaries, and unite souls in a shared journey of melody and rhythm.

    As I continue to journey alongside Avaye Rood, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to be part of such a remarkable ensemble. With every performance, we not only create music but also forge connections that transcend language, culture, and time. In the tapestry of Avaye Rood’s melodies, I have found my place—a place where music serves as the ultimate expression of unity, harmony, and connection.

  • Reflections on a Festival of Sound and Vision

    January 30th, 2024

    On September 23, I had the privilege of participating in the Volume Festival at the Art Gallery New South Wales, where I performed a concert amidst an atmosphere of creativity and expression. The afternoon was truly remarkable, heightened by the captivating performance of Sampa the Great, who headlined the event. Performing within the gallery’s walls provided a luxurious and cathartic experience, resonating deeply with the emotions often evoked during improvisational sessions.

    In the realm of live performances, there exists a unique interplay of factors that influence the artist’s journey. From the accumulation of sound waves in a space to the invaluable support of venue personnel, each interaction shapes the artist’s experience and ultimately, their performance. It’s a process often misunderstood, with distractions, entourage, and troublesome ego mistakenly perceived as assets. Yet, the reality of live settings involves navigating the possibility of playing the wrong notes or applying the wrong chord progressions, all while striving to maintain a connection with the audience.

    Solo concerts, like the one I had the opportunity to perform at Volume, offer a canvas for exploration, allowing for the utilization of various tonal centers while ensuring the audience remains engaged. It’s a delicate balance, where the pursuit of musical innovation must be tempered with an awareness of audience receptivity. Through each live performance, I aim to weave together musical ideas that resonate both with myself and those listening, understanding that overthinking can detract from the authenticity and spontaneity of the experience.

    Following my performance at AGNSW, I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support on my Instagram feed—photos, videos, and messages of encouragement from individuals I may never meet in person. This digital affirmation underscores the profound impact of technology on artistic validation, prompting reflection on how artists once gauged the significance of their work without such immediate feedback.

    Regardless of the level of recognition or the number of connections made through music, I remain committed to approaching my craft with the same fervor and humility as a novice guitarist. For me, creating music is more than just a personal pursuit; it’s a means of serving humanity and fostering connections that transcend boundaries.

    In the ever-evolving landscape of artistic expression, festivals like Volume serve as vital platforms for collaboration, experimentation, and shared experiences. As I continue on this musical journey, I am grateful for the opportunities to connect with audiences, both near and far, and to cultivate moments of sound and vision that resonate deeply with the human spirit.

  • Volume | Art Gallery of New South Wales

    August 28th, 2023

    A Festival of Sound and Vision 22 Sep – 8 Oct 2023

    Strings – A program committed to exploring new music through performance, education and community engagement.

    For Volume, Joseph Tabua will perform as part of the Strings program on the 23rd of September. The concert commences at 2:30pm and will include five original works by Joseph Tabua. Also featured will be a live performance by Sampa The Great at 7pm.

    https://volume.sydney/artists/joseph-tabua/

  • Volume

    August 28th, 2023


    Art Gallery of New South Wales
    22 Sep – 8 Oct 2023

    Volume | Art Gallery of New South Wales presents an exciting program of live music, dance and art.

    Volume’s free-to-enter concert series showcases the very best in emerging Australian talent. The program will feature a diverse range of music genres and styles, including classical, jazz, world fusion and contemporary.
    For Volume, Joseph Tabua will perform as part of the Strings program on September 23. The concert commences at 2:30pm and will include five original works by Joseph Tabua. Also featured will be a live performance by Sampa The Great at 7pm.

    https://volume.sydney/artists/joseph-tabua/

  • New narratives and emotional states

    March 31st, 2022

    Juxta Jam premieres on Saturday 9 April, as part of NEXUS: Youth Arts Festival at Bankstown Arts Centre. NEXUS is an eclectic mix of installations, exhibitions, music, and workshops. NEXUS runs from 3pm to 8pm, with Juxta Jam featuring in the theatre from 5pm to 8pm. You can find out more about NEXUS here: cb.city/nexus

    Juxta Jam is  club-style installation where V/Djs mix sound and images to create new narratives and emotional states. Juxta Jam features 45 video and sound works created by 44 artists. These works will be mixed live by our special guest V/DJs – Marlene Cummins and Isaiah Kennedy.

    Juxta Jam showcases 45 original sound and video works that respond to the theme of FIRE and WATER.

    Juxta FIRE artists are (in no particular order): Lucy Simpson, Arun Neelakandan, Chrysoulla Markoulli, Emma Harlock, Feras Shaheen, Isabella Rahme, Gabriela Green Olea, Nick Atkins, Joseph Tabua, Tala Issaoul, Kim Pham, Rhiannon Hopley, Mohammad Awad, Satiu Studios, Tamara Lee Bailey, Bruce Koussaba, Vincent Tay, and Liliana Occhiuto.

    Juxta WATER artists are (in no particular order): Mohammad Awad, Joseph Brown, Grace Chow, Frank Dwyer, Fadle El-Harris, Bernadette Fam, Scarlett Gibson-Williams, Gabriela Green, Hal Goulding, Me-Lee Hay, Kittu Hoyne, Peter Kennard, Bedelia Lowrencev, Chrysoulla Markoulli, Laura McInnes, Pru Montin, Arun Neelakandan, Sheila Ngoc Pham, Sean O’Keeffe, Naomi Oliver, Audrey Ormella, Peggy Polias, Kailesh Reitmans, Jayden Selvakumaraswamy, My Le Thi and Kevin Tran.

    Juxta Jam is the live version of Juxta, a digital project that allows audiences to overlay videos on soundtracks (and vice versa) to discover for themselves how art reflects and stimulates emotions. Play Juxta online at: https://juxta.studio/

    Juxta is co-produced by Felix Cross and Katrina Douglas. Our Tech Guru is Fadle El-Harris, and WSU Intern is Nrupa Sangdhore is documenting the event.

    Juxta Jam is proudly supported by Bankstown Arts Centre, Create NSW, The House That Dan Built and Canterbury Bankstown Council.

  • Breaking News

    January 24th, 2022

    I am absolutely thrilled to share that I have been commissioned to write a new piece of music for NEXUS as part of Sydney Festival 2022. The world premier will take place at Bankstown Arts Centre.

  • Waterways by Joseph Tabua & Yoon Ha-young

    May 12th, 2021


    Waterways is a comprovisation originally for gayageum and electric guitar. The term ‘comprovisation’ is used here to reflect unity of music, performance and a place where two parts become influential. Though, as the collaboration ventured out it dared to become something quite majestic. My sentiments about “comprovisation” put forward that cross-cultural collaboration is immensely rewarding. So, it is through this collaboration between Seoul National University and Western Sydney University that encourages discourse around notions of composition and performance. As a cross-cultural composer it is necessary to connect with the other. The other is everything to me, for I am the outsider. In fact, we have all been outsiders at some point in our lives. But, through cross-cultural collaboration we can work selflessly for the good of humanity, or at least create music to motivate the anxious amongst us.

    Soundcloud link to Waterways
    https://soundcloud.com/atomic-electric-275214430/waterways

  • 2021 SNU Online Winter Music Festival – Korean Music Camp

    May 12th, 2021

    In late October 2020 I was asked to write a piece for Gayageum (Korean plucked zither instrument) and Electric Guitar. The Gayageum was performed by Hayoung Yun of Seoul National University. The collaboration was realised over a number of weeks via email and a live feed to one recording session that took place in ”The Live Room” at Western Sydney University. ‘Waterways’ first premiered at Western Sydney University on November 10th and ‘Waterways’ was featured at Seoul National University’s Korean Music Camp Seminar in 2021. Below is a video of the conference as well as some other incredible pieces.


    Seminar – New Creativity: Korea and Australia Music Collaboration Hyelim Kim (Taegum, Ph.D.) This session will explore the creative dialogue between Korean traditional musicians at Seoul National University and composers at Western Sydney University. The process of music making including composition, performance as well as the final product of recording the collaborated pieces will be explained by the students and faculty who participated in this project. The discussions will tackle the intercultural communication used for musical exchanges between Korea and Australia. Chair/ prof. Anna Yates-lu Panels/ Prof. Ji-young Yi, Dr. Bruce Crossman, Dr. Hyelim Kim Student Collaborations/ Jinju Yang, Robert Moss, Eon-hwa Lee, Joseph Tabua, Hayoung Yun
    — 제작/ 서울대학교 국악과 (과장 김경아) Presented by SNU KOREAN MUSIC (Prof. Kim Kyeong Ah) 스탭/ 박진형, 김지원, 이은비 Staff/ Park Jinhyoung, Kim jiwon, Lee EunBee, 기술/ 김종록 Engineer/ Kim Jong-rock 디자인/ 성주혜 Design/ Sung Joohye 도움주신 분/ 김혜림 선생님 Special thanks to Hyelim Kim @서울대학교 관악캠퍼스 Seoul National University SNU KOREAN MUSIC CAMP 2021



    Waterways for Gayageum and Electric Guitar



    Film Maker: Vincent Tay & JT




    ‘Waterways’ recording session

    Recording guitar parts while Gayageum player Hayoung Yun watches from Korea

  • Guitar Speak Podcast

    July 9th, 2020

    During the Covid-19 pandemic I got to be on one of my favourite podcasts. I may have said too much to Matt Wakeling but it was smashing!

    Many thanks to Matt Wakeling for the terrific chat. Be sure to tune in because it’s a fabulous show.
    Listen now
  • Joseph Tabua Guzheng and Electronics #TBT

    June 25th, 2020

    This was the first time I ever played the Guzheng live on stage. I had two days to rehearse so I focused, intently, and made sure I got what I needed. I began to explore the Guzheng’s limitations, its features and eventually solved the puzzle. The result is this moderately sufficient improvisation.

←Previous Page
1 2 3 4 … 8
Next Page→

Blog at WordPress.com.

Loading Comments...

    • Subscribe Subscribed
      • Joseph Tabua
      • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
      • Joseph Tabua
      • Subscribe Subscribed
      • Sign up
      • Log in
      • Report this content
      • View site in Reader
      • Manage subscriptions
      • Collapse this bar