We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joshua Meehan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joshua below.

Joshua, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Looking back on your career, have you ever worked with a great leader or boss? We’d love to hear about the experience and what you think made them such a great leader.

I have been blessed throughout my life with good bosses and I do not take that for granted. So far I have worked many random jobs ranging from a music camp counselor to lifeguard to ambassador for a graduate program, and through all I have had pleasant experiences for the most part. That being said it is still easy to pick out my best boss – Film and TV composer David Wingo.

I was lucky enough to intern for David as part of the culmination of my graduate degree. For that summer I got the most raw and real look into his life while he wrote music for current projects, prepared for future ones and balanced life in between it all. The whole time he took a genuine interest in what I was up to in my grad program and gave me his thoughts about the industry. I was extremely nervous to move to Los Angeles and enter the film and tv industry that I’ve heard so many horror stories about and it was a breath of fresh air to meet such a supportive mentor early on. I was also blown away by how much he trusted me and let me take on so many tasks by myself from the jump. I can remember when he asked me to hang two of his guitars on his studio wall. I triple checked the measurements and made sure everything was as level as could be but still it was just not perfectly level despite my best efforts. When he came back I showed him my work, sweating I decided to confess that if you check with the leveler, one of the guitars was not exactly level. To my surprise and to the complete opposite of everything I had heard about the industry, David replied “looks level to me!” and that was that. I had such a great time spending time with David and learning the ropes.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I have always known that I wanted to be a musician. My parents were not musically inclined as performers but my house was always filled with artists like The Beatles and Stevie Wonder. Everything from Eddie Van Halen guitar solos while my dad was working out or Enya in car rides with my mom. This paired with being exposed to the great sci-fi/fantasy epics like Star Wars, Planet of the Apes and Lord of the Rings – I was set up with a mind that wanted to create and explore the fantastical.

I channeled this creative energy into perusing everything from writing my own songs, to performing on any instrument I could get my hands on, to now writing music for films. I taught myself to play my favorite songs on guitar and piano and would sing throughout my school years, playing in every ensemble my schools offered. Eventually I decided to study Media Writing and Music Production in undergrad and Music Composition for the Screen in grad school.

I guess the thing I want people to know about me or my practice as a composer is that I am such an eager collaborator. I have a very hard time saying no to projects because I find every project wether it be a game, tv show or film, is a new puzzle to figure out. As the composer it is my job to turn the director’s vision or voice into sound. I love helping people who don’t normally speak in musical terms translate their vision into sound. It is one of the most frustratingly abstract things I have ever had to do – and I am addicted to it.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

This is completely wishful thinking and coming from someone not well-versed in law, however I just think that there needs to be legislation passed that makes streaming numbers of all streamers wether that be music streaming services or visual media public. It is very hard for composers to fight for better royalties and conditions from streamers and studios when we can never tell how exactly the money is being distributed. The arts on paper are very much seen as an extra but I have never seen them as anything but absolutely essential. I think on a more localized level I would implore parents to encourage their kids to take part in music and art and to fight for their school districts to maintain artistic programs. I owe the most incredible experiences in my life to music and it has shaped me to become a deeper thinker and more conscientious person.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I do not by any means have the biggest audience compared to your average influencer, however I do ok for a composer. I find that the best way to approach social media is by being genuine. What I mean by this is don’t just go around following random people you haven’t met knowing that a couple will follow you back. Instead, try to make real connections in life and when you are done having a conversation, ask if you can follow them on socials. Not only will you both gain a follower, but chances are you will continue to engage with them on posts. It is a great way to keep up with people you meet and let them know what you are up to. Beyond that I wouldn’t put too much pressure on it because it can get overwhelming fast and become a main focus when in reality it should just be a low stress tool that serves a purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.joshuameehancomposer.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuataylormeehan/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuameehanmusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNPpJrfFmWW3aOexqyrav5g
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1rHbMcGjhgWKcxpK7cCrew?si=q6RJaQMASN-WasO2RPMmvA

Image Credits
Winnie Liu