Meet Joe Strelsky

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Strelsky.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
My story began December 11th, 1986 in Springfield, Ohio. I’ve always had knack for storytelling. While younger, I’d often steal (and return) my grandmothers Mini Dv camcorder and make stupid ‘Jackass’ inspired skate videos and direct my friends in sketch comedies. While 8th grade humor leaves a lot to be desired, this was also around the same time I picked up my first bass guitar and began writing songs. I played in bands throughout school, but being in a small town, I was never fully able to flex my creative muscles given the lack of opportunity. In 2006 I came to Phoenix and attended Collins College. After school, a few friends and I started a band and pursued a career in music, all the while still shooting video and creating content whenever I could. This went on for a good 4 years or so. While we barely hit the cusp of any real success, these were some of the best times of my life.

In 2010 I started another band with my friends that lasted a few years, but that burning passion I had years before wasn’t there anymore, and I couldn’t keep faking it. Looking back and realizing that I put all of my eggs in the music basket, and being stuck at a dead-end job in 2014, I needed an out. I was talking to a friend of mine who was a wedding DJ at the time. He convinced me that I should still pursue a career in film since I had yet to burn myself out on that. It being the very thing I attended school for, he said he’d help set me up with a few wedding gigs to film. This was all it took to convince me to quit my terrible job, buy a camera, and build a website. So, I did, and thus truly began my film career.

I started off shooting weddings and content for small businesses, then it turned to music videos and short films, and now I’m currently on the precipice filming my first feature length. Each evolution brings something new and exciting and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Please tell us about your art.
I wear many hats, for sure. My film company is called Focused Gentlemen Media, which covers the things I mentioned previously (weddings, live events, music videos, short films etc.). I also still perform live! I perform as a duo in Daylight Heist with my friend Cody Reyher at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix for Emo Night Phx, I host a podcast with Sam McNeil called The Palm Tree Patio, and recently started a new event (also at The Rebel Lounge) with Brett Howerton and Aaron Bradbury called Neon Nights, which takes place the first Friday of every month.

My inspiration is honestly the community of like-minded and goal-oriented friends who are out grinding in their respective fields. Some of us do the same type of work, and aren’t really direct competition. We’ll often pass on a job, but refer a different friend in the community who is better suited for that task, or just have too much on our plate at the time and hook a pal up with a gig if they haven’t been able to take on any work alone. It’s really cool and inspiring when we all help each other out like that.

If there’s any take away from my art, it’s that you’re getting 100% of me in whatever skin you see me wearing; whether it be on stage or behind a camera. I’m not a perfectionist per se, but I do hold myself to a certain standard when it comes to content with my name attached to it. I won’t do it strictly for the sake of exposure, and I’ve learned to say no a lot more where it counts. If you see me at a show, I’m going to do whatever I can to get you moving. If you see one of my videos or shorts, just know that what I wrote or directed has a small piece of me attached to it. I try to keep it as real as possible in every regard.

The entirety of my career has comes full circle. I never wanted to not be involved in music or film. Where I thought I would be, and what I thought I had to do to get there, and ultimately where I wound up and what I did to get here has just been the greatest. Even in saying that, I know I’ve barely scratched the surface of where I want to go, so there’s no slowing down for me anytime soon. I know I face a lot of challenges ahead, and I’m ready to take them on.

What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
I feel it’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s easier than ever to create something and get your work out to people en masse. The tools the pros are using are readily available for the novices as well. Content is more accessible than it’s ever been in history, and as cheesy as it sounds, you’re only limited by your imagination. This sort of levels the playing field in that regard. On the other hand, there are a ton of people in the same field chasing the same goal. I’m not exempt in any of this myself! The quality of the work, I feel, is most important. Your work should be able to speak for itself and If you have to spend time speaking about your project at lengths instead of showing it and letting the work do the heavy lifting, then it might be time to refocus.

I feel Phoenix does a fantastic job at encouraging artists. The community meet ups, events, shows, galleries, etc. all stand as a testament to the talent that our city houses. First Friday is fantastic and allows all different types of artists showcase their work, their projects, and so on. I’d just like to see more of it!

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Most of my live performances take place at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix. Psyko Steve has given me an amazing opportunity with these events and I want to make sure everyone knows he’s a major force behind all of it! Subscribe to my podcast and listen to Sam and I talk nonsense every Wednesday night. I know I’ll eventually setup a crowdfunding campaign for my feature length, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. You can access my content as follows:

My website is www.focusedgentlemen.com

Daylight Heist
Instagram: @DaylightHeist
Facebook: www.facebook.com/daylightheist

The Palm Tree Patio
Instagram: @palmtreepatio
Subscribe on iTunes or Soundcloud under The Palm Tree Patio.

Neon Nights
Instagram: @neonnightsaz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/neonnightsaz

Contact Info:

• Website: www.focusedgentlemen.com
• Email: joseph@focusedgentlemen.com
• Instagram: @j0mance

Image Credit:
Mike Hunt/Artificial Iris, Valerie Luxicon/Luxicon Photo.

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