Today, I am pleased to introduce a very talented musician to you guys – Joseph Vincent, Joseph has really been making headlines, taking the spotlights, you can call him a YouTube sensation or a web celebrity, whatever you say Joseph has over 40,000 subscribers and over 6,000,000 views on his YouTube videos.
Recently, Joseph appeared as a guest on Ellen DeGeneres Show, he featured on a new segment of the show called Ellen's Wonderful Web of Wonderment.
Hope you enjoy the interview.
Hey Joseph, Welcome to YHP, How are you doing today?
I’m doing fantastic haha thanks for asking
Can you kindly give us some brief background information about yourself?
I am 20 year old Filipino-American singer songwriter from the San Fernando Valley. I was born and raised in Southern California, and I am now attending the University of California- Irvine. I picked p my first guitar at the age of 15 and have been writing several songs and playing numerous amounts of shows since then.
Why music? What got you into it, why are you passionate about it?
Music is universal, everyone can relate to it in some form or another. Music has the power to unite people and cultures that wouldn’t ordinarily see eye-to-eye. Plus music is just an amazing and enjoyable thing that allows artists like me to convey their thoughts, emotions, and experiences through a creative outlet. Music is love, hate, sadness, happiness, laughter, passion and all that jazz in a box. I enjoy making music and sharing it with the world to entertain and inspire.
Is Guitar the only instrument you play? Are you looking to learn another instrument?
I know how to play guitar and I’m beginning to dabble with certain forms of percussion.
Was youtube your first way of showcasing your talent or were you already performing before the youtube came along?
Before Youtube (basically high school since I started posting videos the summer of my freshman year in college), I started a club where we put on a charity event where we used music and performers to raise money to rebuild houses in Mexico. So that was the first time I performed in front of a show audience. Then i worked through a booking company where I would have to sell a certain quota of tickets in order to play in LA venues, which was a fun learning experience.
Did you have a music career before YouTube? Why did you post videos there?
I didn’t have a music career before Youtube, just experimented with the guitar and finding my voice initially. I finally built up the courage and started posting videos online ion order to share my gift on a global scale.
What has YouTube provided you that a record company, distributor, and marketers can’t? What advantages and disadvantages has this brought?
I can’t compare since I haven’t gotten around to working with a label and marketers and such. But one advantage it gives me is that I can distribute my music and portray myself exactly how I want to and not how somebody else thinks I should, it allows me to be independent.
At what point did you get your first major gig?
What I considered to be my first major gig was playing at a local coffee shop in Granada hills, first time in front of strangers haha.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
The high light of my career so far would be being featured on national television on “the Ellen Show”, utterly surreal.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, Michael Buble, Colbie Caillat, Justin Nozuka, etc.
Who would you say played an important role at the start of your music career?
I would have to say my parents because without them buying my guitar and supporting my passion to play, write, and sing, then i would have never gotten started with the whole thing.
It must be a real balancing act with your tight schedule and your family and your business. How does that work for you? Is it hard?
It can be quite difficult to balance school, music and everything else but I love it and I know I’m living life to the fullest
What’s the next steps for you? Is this a full time job now?
This summer I’m going to be recording a single that I’ll be making a music video for soon so look out for that. Also can’t deny the constant video posts. Writing new music, and performing.
What are your favorite hobbies to do when you're not on youtube?
I like to play basketball, volleyball, snowboard, go to the beach to name a few things.
How do you determine what cover song to do?
Off of impulse, if I enjoy a song, I play it but obviously you can’t cover EVERY song haha
How do you feel with the sudden rise in popularity, you’re a celebrity now, do you get people asking for your autographs?
Nawwww I don’t consider myself a celebrity at all, it’s all a status thing. You got to get down to the basics and see that you are an artist/performer/entertainer that is passionate for music and is blessed to be able to share it with so many supportive people who have always been there.
If you weren’t going fulltime into your music career, what would you be doing?
Well music is actually a side thing right now, school is my main priority and after college, full throttle into this thing! lol
What should we be expecting from you in the future?
Expect for me to keep persistent on my singing, and I’ll be performing in a CITY NEAR YOU!!!!!
Make sure you check out his music on:
Myspace
Youtube
Twitter
Dont forget to vote for his video on which performance you think is the best on the Ellen DeGeneres Show
Don’t forget to Join the YHP FanPage and Follow us on twitter.
