Joe Sabia

At a Glance

• The Power of Viral Videos - “We thought this was goofy, but for me it’s like, oh yeah, this is another concept that tends to carry itself on the internet in a way that a lot of people share.” This quote highlights how creators can tap into online trends and create viral content.

• The Impact of YouTube - “It rewards long videos, so it’s a lot of minutes of watching. It’s not like TikTok and Instagram. People sit back and they just let it go for hours and hours.” This statement emphasizes the unique characteristics of YouTube and its ability to engage viewers.

• Behind-the-Scenes vs. Showmanship - “I’m not looking to get my own audience out of this. I’m very much behind the scenes. I just want good conversations that can maybe turn into collaborative pursuits.” This quote highlights the conversation’s focus on creative collaborations and relationships, rather than individual showmanship.

• The Value of Unfiltered Content - “Unfiltered, without notes. Just make something, put it out there. The rest has this filtration.” This statement emphasizes the importance of unedited content and creativity in online platforms.

• Creative Inspiration - “Spike Jonze is probably the biggest creative influence on me… What he did with certain one-take videos and what he did with this kind of levity, playfulness…” This quote highlights the inspiration and influence that other creatives can have on others.

What to Do

• Focus on connections, not individual success - The speaker mentions that their interest lies in being connected to other artists and having good conversations that can lead to collaborative pursuits. This highlights the importance of building relationships and networking within a creative field.

• Don’t be afraid to try new things and take risks - The conversation reveals that the speaker was initially hesitant about creating one-take music videos but ended up finding it a fruitful creative endeavor. This suggests that embracing uncertainty and taking calculated risks can lead to unexpected opportunities and growth.

• Stay true to your values and interests - When approached by an agency to build their personal brand, the speaker expresses disinterest in pursuing individual fame. Instead, they emphasize the importance of staying behind-the-scenes and focusing on collaborative pursuits that align with their passions. This serves as a reminder to prioritize one’s core values and interests when making decisions.

• Collaboration and community are key - Throughout the conversation, the speaker highlights the value of working with others and being part of a creative community. This underscores the significance of building relationships, learning from others, and contributing to a shared vision.

• Embracing imperfection and playfulness can lead to innovative ideas - The speaker mentions that their creative influences, such as Spike Jonze, have shown them the importance of embracing playfulness and conceptual ideas. This suggests that being open to experimentation, taking risks, and embracing imperfection can lead to innovative and unique solutions.

What to Get

• The Modern Day Nursery Rhymes of Poppa Gander by Joe Sabia

Summary

The podcast episode features a conversation with an artist who has worked on various creative projects, including music videos and collaborations with other artists. The discussion starts with a story about how the artist became a partner in a project where they were just “messing around” in the studio, and ended up creating a viral video that got millions of views.

The artist talks about how musicians who have spent their whole lives practicing and gigging are fascinated by the idea of creating viral content online. They share how they created a channel on YouTube focused on one-take music videos, which became a fruitful creative endeavor for them. The artist mentions working with Spike Jonze, who is their hero, and feeling grateful for the opportunities they’ve had.

The conversation also touches on the topic of social media and its role in creativity. The artist notes that YouTube is the second biggest search engine in the world, where people put up their entire lives and agendas online. They compare it to other platforms like TikTok and Instagram, which are more focused on quick, bite-sized content.

The artist also shares their thoughts on how social media platforms differ from traditional TV and film production. They mention that YouTube allows for unfiltered creativity, without the need for notes or development executives, while platforms like Netflix and HBO have a more polished and filtered approach to storytelling.

One of the most interesting points in the conversation is when the artist talks about their own lack of interest in promoting themselves or building an audience on social media. They mention that they’d rather be connected to other artists and engage in good conversations that can lead to collaborative pursuits. This perspective highlights the importance of community and collaboration in creative work.

Overall, the episode offers a unique glimpse into the world of online creativity and how it differs from traditional art forms. The artist’s insights on social media and its role in shaping artistic expression make for thought-provoking listening.