Daily Inspiration: Meet Joey Gutos

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joey Gutos.

Hi Joey, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I started publicly playing music right before high school graduation. My first performance of original songs was at a singer/songwriter showcase at a record store called Hoodlums in Tempe, which unfortunately no longer exists, but was a huge influence on my musical palette growing up. A friend of mine, Lucas Roth, came to see me play and afterward we talked about music and our goals as artists. We soon formed a songwriting collaboration that grew into our first band together: Sunset Voodoo. The band lasted up until 2018/2019 when it was put on an indefinite hiatus and I had to start fresh again. My solo project initially began out of desperation and the necessity to continue expressing myself through the pain of the band’s dissolution.

While it was challenging to write and perform original songs on my own again without a band behind me, it was a part of my arc as an artist and it helped to instill newfound confidence. I released my debut song as Joey Gutos as the pandemic was really hitting hard in April of 2020 to reconnect with loved ones and to provide some solace to anyone willing to listen. Since then I’ve been releasing music and building a team that I’ve always dreamed of that can bring as much beauty to the world as possible.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’m an only child and I’ve always had this tendency to feel like I have to do things on my own.

This has been a self-imposed strength and weakness of mine that has carved all sorts of textures into my winding road LOL. One of the lessons I continually learn through my triumphs and failures is that I’m never alone, whether I like to think I am or not. Having learned so many lessons the hard way has made the journey that much more meaningful – and often more difficult than it needs to be!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a musician, an artist, and an entrepreneur. My first love has always been music and it’s what I’m most naturally drawn to in this world. I’ve always loved painting, acting, and creating memorable experiences for other people to enjoy. I’ve spent a lot of time asking myself why I have this need to show other people my creations, but the answers are never-ending and so I’ve finally just accepted that it’s what I’m drawn to and if it makes other people happy, then it’s a good thing.

I just want to express myself as authentically as possible. My heroes did this through their talent, bravery and relentless hard work – and each day is another chance to choose this way of life for myself. I believe in the power of art and music to shine a light for the world because shared self-expression is an act of love. All of these small acts bring us closer to a sense of humanity by helping us understand and appreciate each other’s beautiful imperfections.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
For music theory, I watch Rick Beato. For confidence as an artist, I read “The War Of Art” by Steven Pressfield. For expanding consciousness, I listen to Alan Watts. For peace of mind, I get out into nature and stay off my phone.

The music video for my newest single entitled “Where She At” will be featured at this year’s Indie Film Festival that begins on February 21st in downtown Phoenix.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.joeygutos.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joey_gutos/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joeygutos
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/joeygutosmusic
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6scHMbXIzvlyAWJyRA9Izl?si=-5oB4tasTn-T0_g7v5U2mA

Image Credits
Chais Renee, Rob Rigolfi, Esteban Obregon, Harrison Hargrave, and Neil Schwartz