We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joe Kane a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Joe thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

When I was a kid I was always making up stories and songs, and writing poetry. I didn’t realize that you could do that for a living, but while in high school I had a couple of very supportive teachers who suggested I be a writer. It still seemed like a distant dream though as I grew up in a rural community where everyone I knew were farmers and laborers. So, I worked jobs doing manual labor and took classes at the community college until when I was 27 a friend had gone to see a Navy recruiter and relayed to me that the Navy had “journalism” jobs available. I joined the Navy as a photojournalist and did tht for 26 years until January of 2020 when I retired from active service and used my GI Bill to go to school for sound engineering and music production. I had never stopped creating poems and songs during my time in the Navy, but after retirement I begand doing it full time!

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.

When I finally decided I was going to embrace songwriting and recording full time I felt like I had stepped through the gates of paradise. I spend time every day working on new songs, recording, singing, producing, and playing music! It’s like a dream come true.

When I finally released my first album of original music (Coronado Gold) in May 2023 I felt like I had achieved a major life goal. I worked so hard, for so long on the lyrics, melodies, and arrangements, and later learning the science of music production and recording. What seemed when I started as a near impossible task had finally been accomplished. More importantly, the challenge of demystifying the process had been overcome and I now knew that I would be able to continue my love of writing, recording and sharing my music with the world for as long as I wished.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

One of the most rewarding thngs about being an artist is to bring an idea that originates in my thoughts–sometimes even in dreams–and make it into something that is tangible, shareable, available for anyone interested to hear or experience. Music is of high importance to many people. Most of us listen to music every day for a variety of reasons–and it’s one of those things that can truly bring people together in a shared energy, or emotion. It’s a bit magical.

When I started writing songs full time, I was asked to perform at a large dinner party with about 15-20 guests… I was playing a song I had just finished writing a fdew days prior–the song was about the loss of a loved one–and I was “in the zone” while playing and had closed my eyes so I could remember the words and chords correctly. When I finished playing I looked up and half the guests had tears in their eyes… the hostess in particular was a complete wreck and she explained how she had lost here husband to a heart attack a couple years before this and the song REALLY spoke to her. As one might imagine, I was floored by the response, and made a mental note to always be aware of that powerful connection that is possible with an audience.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I first retired from the Navy I was still having a problem with PTSD. I had served in war zones for several years during my career as a combat photographer, and some of the things I witnessed were pretty horrific. I first started to paint as a way of replacing a lot of negative imagery in my head with things that were more cheerful. I was painting a lot in the last couple yeasrs I served, but I kept seeing my guitar sitting in the corner of my garage. It was calling to me. I wasn’t sure I still had the ability to write songs, or even play in front of people, I was so out of practice. But I gave it a try… at first it was very painful. I failed a lot. Writing lyrics was difficult and made me feel vulnerable. I was so nervous performing in front of people–even friends– that my hands would sometimes shake uncontrollably. But I kept trying. Slowly my songwriting got better, and as I continued to force myself to play for friends my stage fright improved as well.

I eventually got hired to play a set at a local music festival in San Diego. I was terrified I would freeze up, but agreed to do it thinking maybe there wouldn’t be many people there as my time slot was early in the day. TO my “delight” it was packed, there was standing room only. THe moment of truth had arrived!

I closed my eyes and started to play and sing… I told myself to pretend I was excited rather than anxious. It worked! I had a great set and many people came to me after and expressed how much they enjoyed my music!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://joekane.bandcamp.com/album/coronado-gold
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564080733042
• Youtube: @JoeRocksCoronado
• Other: My music is on all major streaming platforms… I currently have two albums and a single released:
  2023 Album: Coronado Gold
  2024 Album: Red Bird
  Single: Over the Hills I Go

Image Credits

Joe Kane