SHRED MASTER
Tara Shaskey learns about guitar shredding from one of the country’s best
Some days Josh Ousey practices guitar for up to seven hours - and his commitment has paid off. The Taranaki musician has taken out the inaugural New Zealand Shred Fest 2017 competition, crowning him one of the best shred guitarists in the country.
The hard rock musician describes shredding as how many notes you can play ‘‘in a really fast time.’’
‘‘But it’s not just about how fast you can play, it’s also about being musical,’’ he said.
The battle between 10 national finalists took place in Christchurch last month, with metal music elite Paul Martin, Nail Vincent of Devilskin, and 8 Foot Sativa’s Nik Davies being among the judging panel.
‘‘It feels pretty cool,’’ Ousey said. ‘‘I practice a lot so it’s pretty rewarding to get that win.’’
The competition has long been running overseas but the 18-yearold said it was the first time New Zealand had introduced its own iteration.
When he heard it was coming to the country, the Year-13 Inglewood High School student jumped at the opportunity to take the stage and showcase his specialised technique.
‘‘I don’t get too many opportunities, especially here in Taranaki, to show what I can do on the guitar.’’
To enter he had to submit an online piece of him playing, which eventually won him a place at the finals. There he was required to perform a five minute set where he played a cover of
by Yngwie J. Malmsteen. ’’He’s like the first ever guitar shredder,’’ he said.
The contestants were then
"It's not just about how fast you can play, it's also about being musical" Guitar shredder, Josh Ousey
whittled down six and asked to perform an original piece.
Ousey, who also plays piano and drums, went home with an ESP LTD Jeff Hanneman Signature guitar for taking out first place.
The Tariki teenager has been playing guitar since he was seven years old. Watching a primary school teacher strumming away had sparked his passion for the instrument, he said.
‘‘I thought to myself ‘it would be cool to have a go’.’’
He began learning on an acoustic guitar and then moved onto an electric version when he was about 10. Ousey has plans to study music once he has finished high school and aspires to one day become a professional guitarist.
But for now he’s looking for a band to play in and will continue putting in the hours of practice.
‘‘I try and do a minimum of three hours a day... and I do it because I want to and I know I need to, to get to where I want to go.’’