Meet Joe Cahill

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

Joe, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I go out into the world and find inspiration. I like to run in Central Park, gaze at statues, observe building architecture, and meet new people. I also find purpose in watching other films. I recently saw “Call Me by Your Name,” which blew me away. That film has inspired me to direct and compose music in a way that shows the beauty that people feel.

Another way I find purpose is by sticking to a routine. Every morning, I write music or stories. I have learned that the morning is the best time for me to be creative. By following this routine for the last couple of years, I associate the mornings with creativity and finding purpose. In addition, I exercise by walking or running. The energy of breaking a sweat and moving gives me purpose.

Once you have a routine, you have to stick with it. The rest will take care of itself. I also eat a lot of fruit which I believe greatly helps find purpose… as well as coffee.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Joe Cahill. I’m a composer and director, and I love creating films, musicals, and songs that explore themes of religion, technology, drugs, and love.

I started my artistic journey by learning jazz piano in high school. I loved the improvisatory nature of jazz, which helped me learn how to compose music in real time. This skill set facilitated my transition to film scoring in college. In college, I scored multiple short films that went on to festivals. As I continued scoring for film, I realized that I wanted to do more with storytelling. I wanted to create the stories using my musical background.

Towards the end of college, for my capstone project, I pivoted from film scoring to directing. I wrote and directed a musical called “The Galaxy Brain Experience,” which went on to win the “Audience Choice Award” at The Charm City Fringe Festival (2023). Through hip-hop and chamber music, the musical follows our protagonist, Astris, on a psychedelic journey into outer space where she finds self-love and acceptance.

After that positive experience, I knew I wanted to direct as well as compose. Currently, with the help of co-director Sabrina Santos, I have a comedy show titled “Unimportant Conversations” that premiered during the New York Comedy Festival. The premiere sold out, and as a result, the venue has added additional show dates. The variety show consists of clown acts, musical numbers, stand-up, and skits that all explore one theme: “Unimportant Conversations.” This could take the form of a foot burlesque, a country singer discussing the difficulties of being a landlord, or a skit about a priest teaching a husband how to satisfy his wife.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I am very early in my journey, and I am learning to enjoy that. At first, it terrified me how mysterious pursuing a career in art was—all the uncertainties. But now, I find beauty in the mystery, similar to how one finds beauty in staring at a vast ocean. I know England is across the Atlantic Ocean, even though I can’t see it.

I think the main skill I have learned as a creative is being open to adventure.

I live in New York City. Every day, I make time to explore and take in nature, architecture, and paintings because I know it will lead to inspiration.

In the past, when I would try to write a song or story, I would lock myself in my room and not leave until I had something complete. While I still write every day, the main change I have made is that I get out more often. It may sound cliché, but it is true. I have faith that when I run in Central Park, meet a friend for coffee, or walk around the New York Public Library staring at the paintings of angels on the ceiling, it will lead to inspiration that helps me write a compelling story or piece of music.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

The number one obstacle I am currently facing in art is figuring out how to use social media to promote it. I find it both fascinating and confusing what people are interested in on these platforms. While I am not the biggest fan of sites like Instagram, I recognize that it is a great tool for getting your name out there.

Within that challenge lies another: I am camera shy. I love performing in front of people, which enhances my performance, but I struggle to create a performance when I am alone in a room with a camera. When I attempt to create an Instagram reel or story, I experience that gut-wrenching feeling of wondering what people will think and become obsessed with making the video “perfect.”

I have started to overcome this challenge by posting every day. I share videos of myself playing original pieces on the piano or showcase projects I am involved in. By posting daily, I am getting used to the skill set of being engaging on camera. Initially, I thought I would avoid social media and find another way to promote my work. Today, I can say that I better understand it, and I now use it as a tool for people to see my art.

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