We were lucky to catch up with Joe Kelly recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Joe thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today.

If I started over from day one, I would do a few things differently:

1) I would read The Artist’s Way (by Julia Cameron), before beginning anything.

2) I would go out more often just to see local artists, musicians and support everyone local.

3) I would learn how to do basic sound engineering and production. I wouldn’t necessarily rely on it for any ambitious projects, but I would at least make some demos or first recordings. Sound engineering is its own beast, which many of my friends have gone to school for.

4) I would go into everything expecting to fail or be a fool. For most of my life, I’ve always been afraid of embarrassing myself in front of peers, let alone strangers. The only way to progress in anything is to be willing to be a fool.

5) I would reread The Artist’s Way (by Julia Cameron) however many times I want.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a Minnesota-based singer/songwriter and performer, who timidly accepted his mom’s sudden decision to sign me up for guitar lessons 16 years ago.

About 5 years later, I performed my first real gig: a three hour set of covers at a Vietnamese restaurant. And I was paid! A small amount, but I was paid. The dark lighting, sound absorbing floors and walls, and customers who were polite and quiet, made for an awkward beginning. But, it was great practice.

That same year, I started to write. I think the only reason I’m still writing today is that my teenage self thought my first few songs were good. Keyword: thought. Many people hate whatever they make at the start, discouraging themselves from continuing whatever it is they want to do all together. Luckily, naiveté was my saving grace.

I decided to record a few songs in late high school with a friend who was attending school for sound engineering. After many stops and starts, hemming and hawing, failed recording sessions, and projects crumpled and tossed in the trash can, we settled on 5 songs that we decided we could really tackle. It became my first real recording. Friends of mine still listen to it, but, I can’t bring myself to promote that project or to play those songs anymore. It feels like a mediocre pilot episode; something that helped me see the beginning, but I would change the channel if it’s on rerun.

In college, I started a second project with a new engineer and producer. It was some of the most fun I’ve ever had, along with being a very delayed, aggravating and frustrating experience. That was when I knew I loved the recording process. The money spent and the long periods of time without progress couldn’t kill whatever it was in me that wanted to see the finish line.

Cue the pandemic. Everything for everyone came to a stop, and so did my gigs and recording. The project was lost for a while, with my main contact for it having disappeared, not answering any phone calls or messages. A couple years passed, and I sort of gave up. I hadn’t really performed much. College likes to sneak extra hours from you, and I found other distractions.

My contact eventually reappeared after a year and a half, and agreed to send me the finished product. I released it without really telling anyone, having gotten sick of it and angry with the whole process.

I took a few steps to keep one foot tapping to the music, no matter how much I felt too tired to dance. I picked up guitar lessons again, I scheduled some bar gigs that would help pay my rent, and eventually did some small shows not just for the money.

Fast-forward a few years and, here we are. I’m beginning again. For the hundredth time.

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

The most rewarding aspect of creating is, well… the creating. I love songwriting. I am obsessed with recording. I love performing. I’ve oddly come to enjoy failing, knowing that I have another part of the process to start again. There are so many different paths to take to leave that failure behind.

I would’ve thought audience reception would be the most rewarding aspect. I’ve found that’s not always the case. I’ve had people tell me they love a song I’ve written, the way I play guitar in my own way, my use of a loop station, or my voice. I welcome compliments and sometimes, constructive criticism. But nothing matches when I’m in the middle of writing something or having finished something I’m excited by.

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

I wish I’d had these tools earlier as I started everything:

1) The Artist’s Way (by Julia Cameron; yes I know, I’ll never shut up about it)

2) Ari Herstand’s book “How To Make It In The New Music Business” (no, I have not “made it” in the new music business, but this book helped me understand what it is to be an independent artist and all the DIY methods to use for the whole process)

3) The knowledge of how welcoming the Twin Cities music scene really is

I recommend “The Artist’s Way” to anyone and everyone.

“What if I’m not an artist?”

Yes, and?

The book was originally conceived as a tool to help creators with writer’s block. While it still does this in spades, it’s a great tool for how to live. I’m aware how much of a cult-recruiter I sound like, so do what you will with my recommendation.

Ari Herstand’s book is just a great launching pad on all the logistics of being an independent musician while keeping your artistic vision intact. He’s also a musician from Minnesota!

The Twin Cities music scene is a great place to be. I wish I hadn’t been afraid of it all those years ago. Whether it’s an open mic, a showcase, or just any old local show with a shared bill of solo artists or bands, you almost can’t go wrong with any of these if you want to make new friends or acquaintances.

In time, it’s not hard to spot the places and people that are exceptionally supportive of the local scene. I won’t mention them here in case the show-runners feel their hands are full, but send me an email and I can give you a list.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://joekellymn.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joekellymn/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoeKellyMN
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@joekellymn
• Other: All other links: https://www.submithub.com/link/joekellymn

Image Credits

Rachel Graff Photography
Crash Marguiles
Olivia Crutchfield
Byron Yang