Stacey Gonzalez photo Antonio Ostygui, Fred Gravel and Joshua Morin outside of Summerhays Restaurant.

Former Algonquin student Joshua Morin mixes his own brand of rock and folk music, creating what he calls “indie rock with a story.”

The Chelsea native and front man of the Joshua Morin Band graduated from the computer science program. But while he was in school, Morin was less focused on a career in music.

“We were just playing the pubs back then,” said Morin, “just doing covers.”

He enjoyed both the program he was in, as well as performing.

“I have worked a lot in computer sciences,” said Morin. “Without the knowledge of computer science, it would have been harder going into the recording studio.”

Since then they have found themselves getting great reviews, radio and television airtime and have played some of the most respected venues in Canada, including The Yellow Door in Montreal and the National Arts Center.

The Joshua Morin Band was formed last year. It is now a three piece band, with Morin on lead vocals and guitar, Fred Gravel on electric guitar and Antonio Ostygui on drums. Ostygui is a new member to the band.

“Before that I was working in security,” he said. “But before that I was playing jazz music. When I was a kid I played rock a lot.”

Their musical influences go further than folk and rock. They have all studied music in school, learning genres such as blues, jazz and classical music.

Morin lived in Nashville for a year and a half before he moved back to Ottawa to go to school.

They released their first album in June 2006, titled Drunk, Stoned or in Love. Before the album was released, Morin traveled to South America in hopes of finding some inspiration.

“There were so many different rhythms,” Morin said. “So much danceable music. It is so different than anything I’ve ever seen, and I’ve traveled a lot around the world.”

Morin was playing with musicians every day to learn, but he wasn’t entertaining. He was there primarily to write songs and engulf himself in the rich musical culture.

“I went down there to learn and mix it with my own music, but I didn’t.”

He used the trip to force himself to take time out of his life and write songs. He came back to release DSL, a soulful album in which every song tells its own story.

They soon had the chance to feel what it was like to hear their music on the radio for the first time.

“It’s pretty cool to be driving down the road and hear yourself on the radio,” said Morin.

“I think the first time I got drunk and called everybody,” joked Gravel.

The band plays primarily on weekends, doing shows in Perth, Almonte, Cornwall, Kingston and other places surrounding Ottawa.

“We’re playing every weekend in February, somewhere out of town,” explained Morin. They are working on a new EP, the release date is unconfirmed.

Morin had the opportunity to open for Juno winner Ian Tamblyn in Almonte. The show was acoustic.

“It’s pretty rare that I play acoustic shows,” said Morin.

“And it’s kind of boring when he does acoustic shows, because we’re not there,” joked Gravel.

The band continues to work hard, telling their musical story that can only lead to success.

“Nobody can ever take away the CD’s we make,” said Morin. “They’re up there on the shelf, and it’s like ‘we did that!’”