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

Hi Joe, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I began doing stand-up for the same reason most people do… I didn’t want a “regular” job. As I approach my 10-year anniversary of doing stand-up, I have realized there is a big misconception that you can either be a comedian OR have a job.

Make no mistake, stand-up comedy is a job if you want it to be. The amount of work and effort I have put into stand-up is beyond any amount of work I have ever put in at a “regular” job. From writing jokes, booking tours, cutting clips for social media, traveling, making posters, selling merch, it’s all work. And I think that is where the beauty lies, comedy is 100% what you make of it.

You can go to cities all over this great country of ours and find people who are genuinely hilarious who aren’t making anything out of comedy. And they love to complain about people who, maybe aren’t as funny, making a living performing stand up. And it’s simply because they are outworking the people who are funny. The people who aren’t as funny treat comedy as a job, while a lot of funny people sit around and think they deserve something for just being funny.

When I started performing comedy, I was doing everything I could to avoid a “job” but not realizing how much work was actually being put into this thing that I wasn’t considering a “job.” But once I realized that I should be treating comedy like a job, it brought a lot of clarity (and exhaustion) into my life.

Comedy has the same ups and downs as any office or restaurant I’ve ever worked at. There’s plenty of grunt work, plenty of unenjoyable co-workers, you have to be one time, etc. Somewhere I realized comedy isn’t, NOT a job, but it is the best job I could ever have.

Joe, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am the truth.

I don’t mind being a little rough around the edges and a little bit dirty, because that is the world that I have grown to know. I’m not afraid to explore my own thoughts on stage, despite what an audience deems to be taboo.

I don’t like to pretend everything is ok, and lull people into some false sense of comfort and safety.

I believe humans, at their core, are explorers. Without delving into the unknown and dark waters, our species would not be where it is today. And my favorite comedians have always been people who are willing to explore their own thoughts and the hive mind of society.

Unfortunately, it seems that we are losing our desires to explore. Especially comedians. People always talk about how brave comedians are for standing up in front of people. But to stand in front of people and lie to them, in my opinion, is easy and not brave at all. To say what’s in your heart, even though it may be wrong, is true bravery.

A lot of comedians are cowardice and live in fear.

I’m not.

Also, I booked a 101-day tour in 2017 that I am very proud of.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Sharing a joke, or thought, that helps someone who thought they were alone in the world, realize they aren’t.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Just to mind my business, keep my head down, and realize that a lot of people who claim to have your best interests in mind, don’t. At all.

Contact Info:

• Website: joekelleycomedy.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/joekelleycomedy
• Facebook: Facebook.com/JoeKelley13
• Youtube: youtube.com/@joekelleycomedy

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