Josh Deu
| Josh Deu | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Joshua Deu |
| Genres | Indie rock |
| Years active | 2001-2003 |
| Labels | Merge Records |
| Associated acts | Arcade Fire |
Joshua Deu is a visual arts instructor and musician, best known as the co-founding member of Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire. Deu founded the band in 2001, with classmate Win Butler, and departed from the band two years later.[1] Since 2007, Deu has taught digital art at Marlborough School in Los Angeles.[2]
Deu co-wrote the tracks, "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" and "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)", on the band's debut studio album, Funeral (2004), and the song, "Headlights", from the band's debut EP, Arcade Fire (2003).
Biography
Founding Arcade Fire (2001-2003)
Josh Deu attended Phillips Exeter Academy with classmate Win Butler, with the duo beginning to work on both visual and musical collaborations together, following their graduation.[1] Positive feedback subsequently led to formation of Arcade Fire, with Deu and Butler initially sneaking into a practise space at McGill University to write and rehearse.[1] Whilst practicing there, they met music student Régine Chassagne, whom Butler had previously seen performing weeks before. Deu noted, "Win and I played guitar. Everyone played guitar. We had no music to show her, but she ended up saying yes to joining us, and I don’t know why. Maybe there was a little spark with Win."[1] Deu subsequently designed the band's initial website alongside Win's brother and future band member, William Butler.[3]
Prioritising his film and visual arts projects, Deu departed from the band, in 2003, stating: "It just didn’t feel like it fit me." Deu, however, continued to collaborate with the band on its promotional materials, web content and music videos, noting in 2010: "Not everyone gets to have these experiences with a famous rock band. I’m so blessed to have been part of who the band was at the beginning, and who they’ve become now."[1]
Regarding his friendship with Deu, Win Butler noted in 2004, "In the very, very, very beginning I started a band called The Arcade Fire with my best friend Josh Deu (who was the best man at my wedding this last summer, and who designed the website with my little brother Will). He was also the reason I moved to Montreal (because he had gone to school up here, and had great things to say about it). He still adds little bits to a bunch of the songs and helped write the music to "Headlights" from our demo EP and other songs off [Funeral]".[3]
Personal life
Deu studied at Concordia University, in Montreal,[1] and was Win Butler's best man at his wedding to Régine Chassagne, in 2003.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Deu discusses past with Arcade Fire". theultraviolet.com. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ↑ http://www.linkedin.com/pub/joshua-deu/4/61a/b93
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "The Arcade Fire Interview". tinymixtapes.com. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
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