Meet Joey Newman

We recently connected with Joey Newman and have shared our conversation below.

Joey, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

My optimism is deeply rooted in my upbringing and a steadfast belief that the glass is always half full. Life, nature, and people – all have an abundance to offer, with endless discoveries waiting to be made. I believe there is a silver lining in every situation if one is willing to look for it. As a child, I was always observant, preferring to evaluate situations before taking action. This cautious nature meant I rarely took risks or acted spontaneously. However, life’s challenges taught me the value of letting go and trusting the universe.

Recently, I have found my optimism put to the test. With the entertainment industry suffering setbacks, constriction and paralysis due to a pandemic, dual strikes and more, I have struggled with anxiety, fears, negative self-talk. Despite all these feelings, I chose to see this challenge as an opportunity to grow – emotionally and spiritually. With perseverance, seeking help in many forms, and a deep shift in perspective and framing, I have discovered a newfound confidence in my ability to tackle obstacles and find a place in the next chapter of my life.

This experience reinforced my belief in the power of positive thinking and the importance of putting authentic energy into the world. I learned that when I project positivity and trust in the universe, it often reciprocates in unexpected ways. This mindset has guided me through numerous hardships, always reminding me that there is a lesson to be learned and something valuable to gain from every experience.

I am where I am supposed to be at this moment, and it’s my responsibility to be aware of it and act accordingly. By embracing life’s uncertainties and maintaining a positive outlook, I have developed a resilient optimism that continues to shape my journey.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m a third-generation film and television composer from a Hollywood musical dynasty. My family legacy includes the musical talents of Randy, David, and Thomas and Maria Newman, as well as my grandfather, Lionel Newman, and my great-uncle, Alfred Newman. My father is Joe Frank Carollo who was the bassist and vocalist in the 1970s chart-topping soft rock group “Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds”. Music may very well be coded directly into my DNA! However, it doesn’t define me. Music is a part of who I am. I am also a deeply grateful and lucky husband of 25 years and father to three incredible daughters.

Though music has been my passion for as long as I can remember, it wasn’t until I was about 15 that I decided to make it my career. After graduating from Berklee College of Music in Boston in the late ’90s, I returned to Los Angeles to begin my journey in the music industry. My career started in television, working with Emmy®-winning composer W.G. “Snuffy” Walden. We co-composed the final seasons of “Once and Again” and “Providence.” Since then, I have scored award-winning feature films, numerous television series—such as the long-running ABC comedy “The Middle”—video games and provided arrangements for artists like Rufus Wainwright and Broadway composers Marcy & Zina and Cinco Paul.

What I love most about my job is that I get to write music, tell stories, and collaborate with creative people. It’s an incredible privilege and a stroke of luck to be able to do what I love! For me, the combination of music and visuals creates a soul-stirring experience that is deeply fulfilling. Music has always been an expressive outlet, a way to translate my inner emotions into something that others can feel, hear, and see.

I began my musical journey as a drummer and have always loved being part of a band. Connecting with others through music is paramount for me. I thrive on inspiration, improvisation, and the talent of musicians interpreting my work. Whether it’s an entire orchestra bringing my compositions to life or a single musician emoting a melody, the experience is euphoric. Conducting an orchestra feels like an extension of my drumming—being at the center, keeping time, and witnessing the music come together. To this day, anytime I am at an orchestral scoring session, I feel like it’s my first time experiencing it. I get goose bumps! It’s exhilarating and gives me the best seat in the house to experience music in its purest form.

Continuing to be a student of music and cinema is essential to me; I never stop learning. I listen to all kinds of music, discovering something special in each genre (in huge part thanks to my daughters’ eclectic tastes and pulse on what’s good out there!). I also immerse myself in understanding the film, TV, and game industries—exploring the cinematic and immersive elements that captivate audiences and create meaning.

Lastly, I strive to be a student of humanity—mentoring, teaching, and engaging with my community. I’ve enjoyed guiding students of media and screen scoring as they embark on their careers and serving on the boards of non-profits, such as my work with Levitt LA in MacArthur Park. Bringing music to the community has shown me the omnipresent power of music. It transcends boundaries and connects us all. And, of course, when a funky beat drops, it’s impossible not to feel it and dance!

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

Three things that have impacted my journey the most are preparation, listening, and patience. School, along with my ambitious and curious nature, prepared me for my first job. Beyond that, each job has provided a new set of experiences that I have used to prepare for the next project. The key has been refining my skills, adapting, pivoting, and continuously preparing.

Listening has also been crucial. By this, I mean putting my ego aside and truly hearing what others are saying. This includes understanding conflicts, differences in opinion, processes, and what is best for the project. Ultimately, I am part of a larger creative group, and the success of the film, TV show, or game is our collective goal. Respecting my director, producer, or showrunner, and getting to the root of any feedback, is essential.

Lastly, patience has been invaluable. The saying “your time will come” holds true. I once believed I could force success, but the reality is that, through continuous hard work, it comes when it’s meant to. Trusting that I can navigate difficult times, meet stressful deadlines, and resolve conflicts has been vital. I’ve overcome challenges before, and I will do so again. As long as I keep moving forward, opportunities arise, conversations happen, and more music gets written.

My advice for those early in their journey is:
1. Do your best and let go of the rest.
2. Keep things simple.
3. Be a team player.
4. Be curious about life and the world.

All we can do is our best. It’s important to stop comparing ourselves to others, as it only hinders growth. The best advice I ever received was to keep things simple (and it was from my beautiful wife early in our relationship!). This applies to both music and life. Overcomplicating things only makes an already challenging job harder.

Being a team player is crucial. Trusting my team and knowing I am part of something bigger than myself leads to better outcomes. While I know my place, I also feel free to offer suggestions and ideas. I can’t do it all on my own, and there’s no shame in asking for help.

Lastly, be curious about who we are as people and this beautiful planet we live on. Mother Nature doesn’t care about political affiliations or race. This shows me that we are all part of an ecosystem that works in harmony. We are all connected, so why not appreciate the beauty in life? Be kind, live fully, have compassion for yourself and others, travel, put yourself in uncomfortable positions to grow…. Understanding more than just music is rewarding and helps one become a more well-rounded and worldly person. This makes you more interesting to talk to, work with, and might even help you stand out enough to get that precious job among a pool of amazing talent. And don’t forget to be optimistic!

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

In the past 12 months, I believe I have grown more than at any other point in my life. The biggest area of growth has been in my mental health and wellness. With the struggles faced by the entertainment industry, work has slowed compared to a few years ago. I took this downturn hard and began to worry more.

Through deep self-reflection, I began to forge a new belief in myself and optimism of the future. I started to trust my instincts and recognized that I have a wealth of experience, talent, knowledge, and wisdom to share. Even though times remain challenging, I realized that I can find a way through it. It requires faith, patience, connection, and action to keep trying to open doors, seek out new connections, and revive old ones. If opportunities aren’t presenting themselves, perhaps it’s time for me to create them.

Learning to understand my needs, being honest with others, owning my mistakes, and taking action have served me better than ever. I feel more at peace with things, and this newfound sense of peace will guide me in the next chapter of my career and my life.

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Image Credits

Astor Morgan, Ricky Chavez, Micaela Bensko

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