Ka·lei·do·scope/kəˈlīdəˌskōp/. Noun.
- An optical instrument with reflective surfaces that mirrors pieces of colored glass or paper, whose reflections produce changing patterns visible through an eyehole when rotated.
- A constantly changing pattern or sequence of objects or elements.
Kaleidoscope Kid /kəˈlīdəˌskōp/ kid/. Noun.
- A musical artist hailing from Phoenix, AZ, whose music embodies change and transformation through a blending of influences and elements, similar to that of a kaleidoscope.
Joshua Murphy, better known as The Kaleidoscope Kid, partook a rather unique journey from a creatively driven upbringing to the nationally touring musician he is today. Like many childhood hobbies, after shelving an interest for guitar after a few short weeks of practice, Josh rediscovered his initial interest 10 years later while living in a trailer in Oak Creek Canyon outside of Sedona, AZ.
“One evening, after eating some psychedelic mushrooms, I found myself sitting on the ground plucking at the strings,” The Kaleidoscope Kid describes.
“The strings were moving in a way I had never noticed before and as they vibrated… visible sound waves rippled out, dancing with the purple hues of a black light and began to fill the room and hung in the air like smoke.” This experience was the impetus for his budding musical career, as he immediately picked up the guitar again the next week and got to work on honing his new craft — learning chords and writing.
Unfortunately, shortly after this experience, The Kaleidoscope Kid was diagnosed with a rare and debilitating autoimmune disorder. After what felt like a near-death experience and while dealing with incessant pain that followed his initial hospital stay, music became his saving grace. “Anytime I picked up the guitar, something magical would happen… all the pain would go away,” The Kaleidoscope Kid reminisces. “It would bring me to tears as I felt the strength of music as medicine. Looking back, I think this is where the birth of my musical journey began.”
He also began exploring other forms of healing to manage his condition.
After considering a myriad of options, he was introduced to Reishi Mushrooms (note for the readers: these are non-hallucinogenic) described as an immune system “re-educators” and Camu Camu Berries, which offered him immediate relief and opened up a doorway for new possibilities. “I had always found psychedelic mushrooms to be extremely useful for mental health and creativity,” The Kaleidoscope Kid says. “But, with this new knowledge of non-psychoactive mushrooms and their potential for healing, I found ways to understand, overcome, and integrate those experiences.”
This interest in holistic medicine and hallucinogens bleeds into The Kaleidoscope Kid’s musical lyricism and production. Similar to his personal journey, his music is always evolving. From beginnings in the realm of hip hop, with influences from Mac Miller and Kendrick Lamar, The Kaleidoscope Kid grew to draw inspiration from bands he grew up listening to, such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Cage the Elephant, and Rage Against the Machine. With a deeper dive into more alternative genres, he found an impassioned spark and leaned heavier into the blending of genres, including blues, funk, hip hop, and even some folk. “I have a deep love for music that pushes me to constantly explore new realms and step out of my comfort zone,” he shares. When describing his music to others, he usually explains that he chose to call himself “The Kaleidoscope Kid” as a reflection of his music — always changing and transforming with each release.
The Kaleidoscope Kid released his latest EP this past summer.
Titled Nothing Is Free, this profound artist steps into even more genres and sounds compared to his previous releases. In the writing process, he views music as a “tapping into the unconscious” — revealing itself. A concept will start to take form from little ideas and inspirations; puzzle pieces start to fall together. The EP represents a current look into The Kaleidoscope Kid’s mind, so give it a listen! As for older works, songs like “Cause and Effect” and “Stampede” off of his self-titled album were definitely breakthrough moments for the Kid, as well. Catch The Kaleidoscope Kid on tour this spring, supporting Badfish on their West Coast leg of the High With You Tour, as well as at Reggae Rise Up Florida this March 15th through 17th in St. Petersburg.
The Kaleidoscope Kid – “Overrated”
Stream The Kaleidoscope Kid on Spotify:
Cover photo by Matt Campbell; thumbnail photo by Tanner Yeager
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