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Episode 167 - Crafting Unforgettable Musical Experiences with Joe Marx
52 Plays1 month ago
Episode Description:In this episode, we sit down with Joe Marx, a luxury event musician and singer-songwriter renowned for his captivating performances at weddings, corporate events, and private parties. Joe shares how he customizes each performance to match the unique atmosphere of every event, blending soulful vocals with masterful guitar skills to create an unforgettable experience.
Guest Bio:Joe Marx is a luxury event musician and singer-songwriter known for delivering captivating performances tailored to weddings, corporate events, and private parties. Combining soulful vocals with masterful guitar playing, Joe creates an unforgettable atmosphere, whether performing solo or with talented duo and trio ensembles.
Hot Topic: How I Tailor Each Performance to Match the Unique Atmosphere of Every Event
Key Takeaways:
- Joe’s process for creating custom setlists that resonate with each event’s vibe.
- The importance of collaborating with clients on song choices to ensure a personalized experience.
- How Joe seamlessly transitions between solo, duo, and trio setups to suit the energy and flow of different occasions.
Main Takeaway for Listeners:Discover how Joe Marx’s versatile, client-focused approach elevates events with custom-tailored performances, delivering a seamless and unforgettable musical experience.
Favorite Sales Technique:Joe’s "Experience First" approach—selling the destination, not the cost of the flight—ensuring clients envision the value and impact of his performances.
Woo Factor:Joe’s ability to create an immersive, tailor-made experience that feels both intimate and luxurious, blending world-class musicianship with a personal touch clients can’t get anywhere else.
Exclusive Offer:Joe is offering a limited-time discount for listeners who mention this episode when booking their event. Don’t miss out on this special opportunity to elevate your next event with a custom-tailored musical performance!
Connect with Joe Marx: https://www.instagram.com/thejoemarx
Connect with Carissa Woo https://www.instagram.com/carissawoo
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Transcript
Introduction & Invitation for Reviews
00:00:00
Speaker
Happy Woo Wednesdays! It's episode 167. Holy cow. If you're loving my podcast, please go to Apple Podcast and leave me a review. I will love you a long time. Thank you so much for doing that. So wedding pros and creatives. Imagine if you stop waiting around for inquiries, stop complaining to your friends, and set up and sold affiliate courses on autopilot. It's literally game changer.
00:00:28
Speaker
Check out my 9 minute video on how to get started. It's easier than you think and you could make money in your sleep. I do.
Meet Joe Marks
00:00:37
Speaker
So today I have Joe Marks in the Heck Yes House. His energy is infectious. He is a luxury event musician, guitarist, and I've heard him firsthand and his performance is just wow. Today he talks about a lot of things, but the hot topic is how he personalizes a perfect playlist for his couples. This guy is insane. He literally ran a marathon the next day after we recorded. I saw on Instagram.
00:01:07
Speaker
So yeah, he definitely has heck yes energy. Enjoy this episode.
Carissa's Background in Wedding Photography
00:01:16
Speaker
Welcome to Get a Heck Yes with Carissa Wu. I'm your host, Carissa, and I've been a Los Angeles wedding photographer for over a decade. I've traveled the world, built my team, and seen it all. I now coach wedding photographers hit 10K a month and build a thriving business. In this podcast, we are going to deep dive into how top wedding creatives get that heck yes from their dream clients. We are not holding back on the struggles of the business and how to push through the noise. Some healthy hustle, mindset shifts, up-leveling your money story,
00:01:44
Speaker
time hacks because I'm a mom of two, a little bit of woo woo. And most importantly, self love and confidence are just a few of the many things we will talk about. I want to give you a genuine thank you for following along my journey. I hope to inspire you every Woo Wednesday so that you say heck yes to listening to this podcast. See you guys soon.
Joe's Journey in the Luxury Music Industry
00:02:07
Speaker
Welcome back everyone to heck yes. We've been on a break from the fires. It's been so crazy. And our hearts go out to the fire victims that lost everything. um But you know, me and Joe, Mark's here, we just been brainstorming of how what we could do to help this week and bring a little bit of joy to people with your entertainment and just help do anything that we could do to help, but we're still keeping this Get a Heck Yes podcast going on, but I want to do a little introduction about Joe Marks. He is a luxury event musician and singer-songwriter known for delivering captivating performances tailored to weddings, corporate events, and private parties.
00:02:51
Speaker
combining soulful vocals and master guitar playing. Joe creates a unforgettable atmosphere, whether performing solo or with talented duels and trials, a trio ensembles. I heard him firsthand many times and he is absolutely amazing. Welcome, Joe.
First Networking Experience
00:03:08
Speaker
It's quite the intro. Thank you so much. I'm excited to be here. um And yeah, that's that's a little bit about me. I'm ah a singer and a guitar player and it's a lot of fun to be in this industry with ah alongside you, Carissa. So thanks so much.
00:03:21
Speaker
Yeah, and we met um at the Halloween, Dia de Dios Muertes, OC wedding pros at the Maya, and you were just so, I don't know if you want me to say, but you're so bubbly. You're so bubbly and friendly, and you ask such good questions, and you're like, I forgot the question you asked, but you're just like,
00:03:44
Speaker
What do you want to happen today or something? I don't know, but I love that question.
00:03:52
Speaker
So that yeah that OCWP event, it was like a Halloween themed event. So we were all dressed up. And my costume for that day was a Trader Joe's employee. So I had to embody like the culture. That's funny super friendly. And give people product recommendations, you know, about my fre favorite Trader Joe's.
00:04:15
Speaker
I love that. And they, yeah, they do say Trader Joe's employees are the happiest people on earth. So you definitely not that that was a tough role for me to try to put it into character for like that my super, super friendly.
00:04:28
Speaker
a the But no, it was, that was, ah that was a whole fun event. That was actually my first OCWP event. um And I'm relatively new
Discovering Passion for Music
00:04:38
Speaker
to networking and, you know, being a part of like all these like different organizations. So I think that was an amazing way to kind of get my feet wet and get started. Because I mean, at that event specifically, like the food was amazing. There was a huge turnout. Everybody was really, I mean, everybody had different costumes. And like, ah like people really, um people really went all out with that. And that was cool. Like, a yeah good.
00:05:04
Speaker
I know it was a good indication of people that are really passionate about like networking and getting to know each other and also having fun while doing it. So it's cool. Yeah, that was um one of my favorite events and I thought you're so cool. So I recommended you to perform at WIPA. I wanted to take take the credit but there's other people that recommended you too. poor Oh, so cool. Oh my god, this guy's so awesome. I checked out your Instagram and you performed at the WIPA event and you just blew everyone away.
00:05:34
Speaker
That's so cool. Well, thank you so much for saying that. That's very kind of you. Well, tell me one about you in a nutshell, and then we'll get deeper into your origin story. Yeah, totally. um So a little bit about me. um As I mentioned earlier, I'm a singer first and foremost, and I play guitar. Singing has, I mean, for as long as I can remember, singing it was my first love. And I probably drove my parents absolutely crazy.
00:06:01
Speaker
like singing around the house, like, wow, everybody's like trying to i read books or watch movies and stuff. And I'm just like belting, you know, John Mayer and all my idols growing up were like, ah I mean, Ed Sheeran, ah John Mayer, and some like some rock and roll. So I would just kind of be as a little dude, he's a little like nine year old, you know, 11 year old dude, I just be running around the house like belting. So it was my was always my first love.
00:06:28
Speaker
And then I picked up guitar right around 19 and I mean, the rest is history
Transition to Full-time Musician
00:06:33
Speaker
really. So I just wanted to perform for people and kind of share my passion with the world. So that's ah that's how it started. I started playing guitar and and here I am. Ta-da. I am once again. Did your parents like see this talent in you and like put you in a singing lessons or like theater?
00:06:55
Speaker
Um, so yeah, I think my mom recognized early on that I was really passionate about singing and she put me in piano lessons. And I was, I want to say around like five years old. Um, and piano was really cool, but I didn't, I couldn't like take it anywhere. So that's when like guitar really became like a very.
00:07:19
Speaker
and That's where I was really drawn to guitar because I could take I could pick up a guitar and I could like take it to bonfires I could take it to school I could I mean take it anywhere in practice ah for a long time like in college. I would just have my guitar In the trunk of my car and I would like pull it out to like show people new songs that I was working on um And a piano was like kind of obviously like for for obvious reasons it is a little too big um but yeah, my parents were really supportive with music and um She really, my my mom specifically really encouraged me to to sing and and play piano and and watch like various like movies, go to concerts and things that would kind of kind of inspire like more song writing, more learning.
00:08:01
Speaker
and that sort of thing. So it was, oh, and then another thing that I kind of skipped is, ah i was ah I personally auditioned for choir when I was in high school. So I never took official vocal lessons, but they were just like really cool influences and really cool organizations and programs um that, yeah I mean, really kind of propelled me forward. So. That's awesome. Yeah, it's pretty cool. Let's talk about like getting your first guitar. I mean, 19 is not super young. But you already had the, you know, experience in piano and choir and harmony. um What compelled you to finally pick up this guitar? And what was it like, like starting with it? Was it just like super easy, come naturally? Yeah. um So I'm what you would call a late bloomer with guitar at 19 is pretty, is pretty far down the line. Yeah.
00:08:54
Speaker
That's except like people that are like really really good at guitar like a lot of them start when they're like 13 and a great example of that that I like to use is John Mayer. John Mayer like that guy I want to say started when he was like 11 or something and then you have those critical years of your life where you like learn and get better um and then you take it to like crazy heights. I picked up when I was 19 and the process of learning guitar was I think for anybody, and there's a really steep learning curve because like your fingers kind of hurt and they're they're just, the muscle memory is not there and they're not used to like making these different shapes and having the dexterity to kind of like move around quickly and fluidly like on the fretboard. So that's tricky for anybody like at any age really. Even John Mayer when he was 12, like it's it is really tricky.
00:09:42
Speaker
then um If you really, if you put your mind to it and you stay on it, like I did, I practiced every single day, all that stuff kind of becomes like a little more second nature. And then as you kind of like progress through the different levels of proficiency, like as a beginner and intermediate and then an advanced guitar player, um ah it's just, ah it's cool to know that the more you practice, the better you'll get. Yeah. um And that kind of inspired me to get to the level that I'm at today.
00:10:11
Speaker
And as far as like, um as far as like what it was like to to start guitar um and and kind of what got me into it, um I was singing pretty much everywhere. So, and I was singing like without guitar. So like when I was a player, I would do solos and then I'd have to ask people to play guitar for me. I would do like talent shows and I'd have to ask like a pianist to accompany me. And that was, that's,
00:10:41
Speaker
fine, but I really wanted to like kind of take control of my own destiny. And I didn't want to depend on other people to take my but to make my performance what I knew it could be. ye ye At that point, I was like, you know what? if If these guys can play guitar, and if these guys can play piano, like why can't I? so
Navigating the Music Industry
00:11:01
Speaker
i'm gonna go At that point, I was like still pretty broke. So I was like, OK, now I've got to go ask my parents to buy me a guitar. They were so kind to do that for me.
00:11:10
Speaker
And yeah, and then I just practiced every single day. And I was so inspired by the idea of being like a self-sufficient, like singing guitar player that yeah it didn't even feel like practice. Like it it happened so fast. Wow. That's amazing. I know what you i know what you mean what by like the learning curve. So I played or I kind of dappled in it. Yeah.
00:11:33
Speaker
Like I did get through like the learning curve of actually my fingers making it a chord, but I never got past like playing.
00:11:46
Speaker
It's, um, um, I think my first job, my first internship, I bought my first Takamine for like, Oh, nice. Yeah. $400, which was a lot of money back then. Oh my God. Yeah.
00:11:58
Speaker
My Yamaha was I think it was like $350. I still use it today. cause its Wow, that's crazy. um You know, a couple like modifications later, but um yeah, $350 was a steep investment at the time. Yeah.
00:12:14
Speaker
And I was really, really fortunate to have supportive parents that um I don't know, they they saw a lot of value and they saw a lot of potential and they saw like kind of ah a vehicle for like real fulfillment and real happiness like it yeah umm kids. So do they have any musical background to your parents?
00:12:33
Speaker
So my dad, no, nothing. um My mom is kind of a ah curious story because my mom has a beautiful voice, a natural gift and she loves singing. She watched, like her favorite movie, ah animated movie that is of all time is Bambi. And if you are familiar with different like Disney movies like that, yeah like a very ah prominent singing element and all those, like all these princesses, like whether it's I don't know, Cinderella or Snow White or in Bambi, like there's a lot of like singing birds or like singing fairies. And yeah a lot of times, I don't know, like the.
00:13:15
Speaker
there's just like a huge element where they sing to nature. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And we were like, Oh, you% get it. Yeah. And mama like that was like something that she really loved. And she has a beautiful like princess like voice in that regard. um However,
00:13:35
Speaker
Um, I think that, uh, I think she, she never really like practice that and like went down that avenue and kind of like saw where she could take it. So, um, like, uh, she just kind of does it for fun. Like, whereas like, uh,
00:13:50
Speaker
She inspired me to turn it into a profession yeah and to kind of like revolve my life around it. um But yeah, if if I had to credit anybody for like where my gift came from, then it's definitely my mom. Like she's got like a beautiful natural character to her voice. So pretty and so crisp. You guys gotta do a duet together. know I think she'd be too nervous though. yeah a Okay, I want to involve this conversation to like, um you going to like college days, like early 20s, like, did you know you're gonna go full time? Did you have? um Are you working in corporate? Is it your full time? Like, tell me how like, even the struggles of the business of like, how you got your foot in the door. And yeah, anything you want to share? Yeah, absolutely. So as far as music goes, and kind of like the the plausibility of it becoming a full time career,
00:14:45
Speaker
I think i from the moment I was like 16, I wanna say i I believed in like the like this being my full-time job. and the And the cool thing about the music industry is that it's not just like one thing is going to take you know make that possible. It's not like you have to be a singer-songwriter and you have to tour the world like Ed Sheeran. It's not like you can only um You know be ah a guitar teacher or something that there's so many different avenues you can get your music licensed for netflix you can. I mean you can be a singer songwriter and have all of your music on like spotify and apple music um you can do what i do where you're playing at like weddings and corporate events and private parties.
00:15:30
Speaker
wow um I mean, at this point, like with Instagram and TikTok, you can just record like videos of yourself, like playing music beautifully. And then you'll, I mean, you'll get paid by just like views alone. So there's so many different ways to like support yourself, like as a musician, which is so cool. And I wish, honestly, I wish more people knew about that. yeah or believed in that that possibility. yeah But I was so sure that that music was gonna be my career. um At first, like when I had graduated college, it wasn't exactly paying the bills. So I had to pursue like kind of two things at once, um you know, and like work in corporate and also do like music like ah concurrently. But um I think right around COVID, um that's when I um i basically just,
00:16:18
Speaker
um I basically just dove, dove right into music. I was making enough money to support myself. And then I just kinda, I quit my my corporate job. And then I was like, ah if i'm gonna I'm gonna do something and and and I'm gonna expect that I'll be rewarded for my hard work, it might as well be music.
Customizing Music for Events
00:16:38
Speaker
Because you are rewarded for the time that you put into different things. so Like your podcast, for example, the more time and effort um and energy you put into it, the more it's gonna give back to you.
00:16:49
Speaker
um And that's exactly the same with music or corporate. Like if I were to dedicate all of my life and all of my energy into being a lawyer or a doctor or I don't know, a medical device salesman, like I'm going to make bank in either one of those. But music is so much more fulfilling and I get to share my passion and connect with so many people on very special occasions. So it's pretty clear to me that I could make a ah decent living doing this. That's amazing.
00:17:18
Speaker
And here we are. And here you are. Had three weddings last weekend. So jealous. but kity on pretty this sounds like a lot over um I was ask you, what is your Joe Marx factor? What is your woo factor? What makes you stand out?
00:17:34
Speaker
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Speaker
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Speaker
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00:18:53
Speaker
Yeah, I think when it comes to like weddings, corporate events, and private parties, the Joe Marks X Factor or Woo Factor, as we like to call it, um would probably be how I tailor every song or experience to make it very unique to the people that are hiring me or inviting me to be a part of that special occasion. So the songs that I play and the arrangements that I make are very unique and you can't hear them anywhere else.
Emotional Impact of Music
00:19:22
Speaker
So that's what kind of like sets me apart from I would say um just either playing music like as like a pre-recorded or like Spotify or like DJ set list. yeah um When you ask for like say a first dance song, it's going to be curated and specifically arranged just for you. And you can't find that anywhere else. And I think that's a really cool, a really cool special thing.
00:19:52
Speaker
Yeah, that's a perfect transition into our hot topic. What is your hot topic, Joe? And why is it so near and dear to your heart? Yeah, so my hot topic is kind of in keeping with um that, I guess like having like a very tailored experience. um So my hot topic would be um when you bring on when or I say when when you hired me for an event that all the music that ah you're getting for this event is going to be really specific and really unique to you. so um Let me think of a good example. so like ah let' Let's use the song Perfect by Ed Sheeran for example. That song has spoken volumes to you and that that's a very special place.
00:20:39
Speaker
then Ed Sheeran might be like a little pricey to have like, um, but, uh, what I can do is I can arrange that song, uh, and make it very unique. Um, with, um, you know, like a very different character and a different guitar arrangement. Um, but still make it familiar and exactly how you want it. Um, but, uh, but yeah, but just specific and unique. That's kind of, yeah, that's kind of like the the woo factor.
00:21:09
Speaker
Yeah, i would I would assume that you'd be a little cheaper than Ed Sheeran, but same quality. Just a touch, cheaper than that. I'm the one that posted you on the WIPA Instagram. Open up your mind if you like me. That's Ed Sheeran, but I was like... Yeah, that yeah yeah that's a Jason Mraz. Jason Mraz, but I was like, oh my God. like it just Everyone was just like dancing and like putting their cameras up and just feeling the vibe. So yeah, it was definitely like being front row of like a concert.
00:21:39
Speaker
Yeah, so that's that's actually a good example that Jason Moraz song because I've listened back to that a couple of times and that specific song um kind of like As of like my relationship with that song has grown. I've known that song for like well over a decade. I can't remember when it was released. But there's ah there's like the way that it's written and the way that Jason Moraz kind of arranges it. Yeah. And that's a great song as is. i In fact, I would argue that it's perfect.
00:22:10
Speaker
um When I play that song, what I like to do is I like to incorporate like ah a different melody and maybe a different like guitar arrangement gives it a slightly different character. Yeah. And it's fun. It's really fun to like kind of play around with the vocal melodies in that song. um Hold hold out a couple different notes ah and just give it a different a different feel. Yeah. So like in that version that you're talking about,
00:22:40
Speaker
um It's pretty cool. I don't know. like I think yeah or do you like how how you can like bend some of those ah so some of those melodies and make them really unique. Yeah, it was so so beautiful. Let's talk about like the process you go through with your clients to kind of bring it out of them. I think some people know music um more than others. There's like so particular, but maybe some are not. like um What kind of questions do you ask them to kind of pick their brain about what they want?
00:23:09
Speaker
Sure, yeah. um A lot of times what people ask for, um or what what people ask for for weddings, like there's like standards for like really romantic music. um It's important for me to kind of evaluate whether they lean more towards like country standards or like pop standards or if they like classic rock and like oldies.
00:23:34
Speaker
um And then like as far as like bringing out songs, you want to take people back to a couple significant songs that um that that really make them think of or put them in a place um that reminds them of when they like first fell in love, especially, especially, especially for weddings because um songs really have a very curious and sweet quality that
00:24:05
Speaker
It kind of elicits like an emotional reaction, right? So when you listen to, when you listen to like a song and you like have like a special moment with somebody, every time you listen to that song for the end of eternity, like it brings back that feeling that you had the first time you listened to it or whatever it was that you were doing.
00:24:24
Speaker
um I don't know. and And when I look back at my own life and I listen to some songs, even if even if i'm not like yeah even if that person is like out of my life, like it still takes me back to the most beautiful time that I've shared with that person. yeah So it's really special like for for weddings when people are like when you find your person.
00:24:45
Speaker
her And then you have a song that just takes you to takes you to that moment when you realized it was your person. huh um And that's just, that's so cool. and and And really it's like, it's a privilege for me to to take do my own take on that song and then get to play it for them at probably the most important day of their life, wouldn't be like their wedding day. Yeah,
A Day in the Life of Joe Marks
00:25:09
Speaker
mine was, um ah first first dance was No One by Alicia Keys.
00:25:14
Speaker
um my gosh is the best Yeah, that was a good one. And then I remember the moment I saw it, heard it on, I don't know if it was MTV or just back in the day. And I was like, Oh my God. Yeah. um I think it was like 2007 or something. um But yeah, that was our first dance. And then like, I think a song that I in love with my husband is Awake My Soul. That's only before I started dating, like, 11 years ago. So it was like, um I always play Mumford and Sons and it just like brings me back to when we're like, I feel like we're kids, you know?
00:25:50
Speaker
Totally. Yeah, that's so cool. um It's just really interesting like how listening to music like has like a direct connection to our our brain chemistry. Yeah, just hearing like different sounds and different words. Like it just ignites like a feeling ah of happiness or even like sadness or comfort and sadness. Yeah.
00:26:10
Speaker
and I don't know, it's cool to be the mouthpiece of that. So like when people hear songs and they want to hear like a live rendition of something that means so much to them, yeah to be like the person that gets to do that, down yeah that's a huge honor and and it's cool. it's It's really a special thing.
00:26:30
Speaker
That's amazing. Before we recorded you, you kind of told me that you just started networking. um But then you also told me like you had three weddings last weekend. So how did you do it? How did you get your name out there? um How are you booking all these weddings? And I'm going to ask you the follow up question after that. But what is your best heck yes sales technique. So yeah anything you want to share, give it a give us all because we're just hungry to book more weddings.
00:26:56
Speaker
Yeah, amazing. um So yeah, i'm I'm relatively new to the networking aspect of being a wedding professional. um Previously,
00:27:08
Speaker
what I would do. It's been a relatively organic start. So um like, ah as I told you earlier, I was kind of pursuing like two careers concurrently. And then I was doing by the way, I was curious. ah It was it was, so I mean, I had a ah couple different avenues. um I was studying to be a lawyer. So Oh, thank God you didn't go that route. It's really tough. i' did A lot of reading, which I don't.
00:27:32
Speaker
um But yeah, I got as far as like working at the OCDA, that's the Orange County District Attorney's Office. wow And I did an internship in Spain for a little bit, which was exciting at a law office out there. So it's cool to kind of study international international law and then come back and work on some um pretty compelling cases at the in Orange County.
00:27:55
Speaker
wow But then I had to i got to put that like and to put that aside for music because music is really, and like I said, it's my first love. So that said, and while I was doing music and law at the same time, I think that like showing up and and doing a good job and doing it with a great attitude, like that that's really yeah that's what kind of gets me more business and it gets my name to spread a little bit faster.
00:28:26
Speaker
um It's ah yeah it's like just having a great ah great outlook on being at these events and getting really authentically excited to perform for people. That kind of stuff is infectious and people really, really like it. So my name like from one person to another, like there'd be, say, 60 guests at one event.
00:28:49
Speaker
Five of them would share my info with another person. wow And then I'd go to another 60 guest event. And then five of them would share my info with another person. And then that's how a career was born. And then as far as networking goes, it just seemed like a great opportunity at this point to start networking with other wedding professionals like yourself. And and and just kind of meet some of my my friends that are that are in the trenches with me. so yeah It's pretty cool. and And also, like, we all just, we have a lot in common, like, because I'm like, I'm a musician, but between like photography and makeup artists and event planners and different kinds of musicians, what like violinists, saxophones really big right now.
Motivational Advice for Wedding Professionals
00:29:35
Speaker
um we We encounter like a lot of the same successes and barriers and and just things that are like really um really natural and this in this wedding environment. So it's kind of cool to collaborate and um just kind of bounce back ideas and and see how people are making making these ah these weddings really come to life. so Yeah. And what is your best tech yes technique? I love what you wrote on your question a year.
00:30:06
Speaker
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00:30:30
Speaker
I remember being at barbecues with my laptop because I had to get out of shoot and and that was so stressful, so not fun. And the best part about after shoot compared to their competition is that it's a monthly minimal cost, not cost per image because I am a true overshooter. I could shoot like, I don't know, 3000 photos in an engagement shoot, which is not good. But anyways, using my code in the show notes to get a 30 day trial and 20% off you're going to get in the software and just go crazy with it. And AfterShoot edits 2.0 just released and they have a lot of new features that you are going to love. AfterShoot, I can't thank you enough for giving me back my time to focus on this podcast. Oh yeah, back to the podcast.
00:31:16
Speaker
yeah My best heck yes technique is ah selling the destination and not the flight. right Because when you're booking a trip to like Fiji for example, um you don't want to get caught up on how much the flight costs to Fiji. You don't want to get caught up on that on the airline that you're using or like where your seat is on the plane. You want to think about um about being in Fiji and like dipping your toes in the water, like sitting down in the sand, like drinking martinis and like and like palm trees and bikinis and all the great stuff and tanning in the sunshine. I took my flight right now. That's amazing. We got you. and Because there's so many like, ah it's about like,
00:32:04
Speaker
It's about the experience and all the fun and the magic that can happen with like the event itself. And I think that um kind of like a pitfall because ultimately when when I'm advertising myself as a musician, like a big pitfall that I could potentially run into is getting caught up on on price and kind of like the, like the the steps leading up to like creating this big moment. So it's really important to ah express to the customer that it really is about the destination. It's ah about like the wedding and making that special occasion everything that you could want it to be and just as magical as you could imagine. um You literally say that to them?
00:32:54
Speaker
I mean, it depends like every conversation is a little different. But it's just really, it's really important to like, essentially, keep your eyes on the prize, right? Yeah. And the prize is you want this wedding, this corporate event, this private party to be everything you can imagine. Yeah, like it's cool. And all the sunshine and rainbows and bells and whistles. And don't just don't get caught up like on dollars. Yeah.
00:33:20
Speaker
Yeah, on the dollar signs. Like it'll take to get there. It's really just about um yeah, it's ah it's about like how cool it could potentially be. I think I'm gonna steal that one. So thank you. yeah Let's get back to our hot topic. um You mentioned like you tailor each performance to match the unique atmosphere of every event. So um are there like searching questions you like to ask the the couple or do you work with a planner and what is like maybe some examples of how you tailor the vocals or their set list to the atmosphere? Yeah, totally. um So as far as tailoring every experience to that event, um what I like to do is I like to try to figure out like what people, and what really moves people. So a lot of times it comes down to like a different genre or a different artist.
00:34:11
Speaker
um So my job is to kind of evaluate what music people like to listen to. is it Is it country music? Is it pop music? Is it classic rock? Is it instrumental? And then at that point we start to tailor an entire set list to kind of revolve around that genre of music. I've been playing for a long time and I have a very wide repertoire of music that I specialize in. So um When it comes down to arranging a set list, typically I get like when I play sets, it's anywhere from like one, two to three hours. So it's very manageable to have an entire set list that's like country music or an entire set list that's like modern pop or even like ah like Taylor Swift or Bruno Mars or like go whatever whatever music that really really speaks to people.
00:35:03
Speaker
um And so that's my job, to try to evaluate what kind of music they like. And then I would create a very unique set list. And um'm I'm not Taylor Swift, but but i what I can do is I can play like her music and her songs in a very cool and unique style. Yeah.
00:35:24
Speaker
Like recently, I was asked to learn a couple of songs on the 1989 album. And I think Taylor does an amazing job, obviously. But I think that just having a male voice and a really decent male voice, like a decent guitar arrangement. People go crazy, right? I think so. I think so.
00:35:52
Speaker
And I mean, I personally really, really like the way that it sounds. And it gives it like a different character. Yeah. And you can't hear that anywhere else. So it's just really, it's really special to be asked to do that. And it's fun to to come up with my unique arrangements of these songs. You're like, she wears guard skirts, I wear T-shirt. I like 100%. I have, what is that, you along with me? Yeah. I definitely played that a couple of times. Oh, I love it.
00:36:20
Speaker
I just saw um a YouTube short with ah Al Bundy. I forgot his real name, but he saw a celebrity. He knew she was famous and ah he took a selfie with her and then um he didn't know her name. So he texted his daughter like, hey, um what is this girl's name? I know she's famous. It was Taylor Swift. That's incredible.
00:36:40
Speaker
it That's incredible to just get a picture with Taylor. Yeah, like that's so funny and not know her name, but yeah, he's a little old school. um Okay, so um not to wrap it up yet, but tell me like a little bit a day in your life, like what it's like when you wake up, um you know, do you practice guitar? What is your inspiration? 30 times. After you snooze 30 times, um what is your day like and from start to finish?
00:37:09
Speaker
Yeah, um so I think the the really special thing about that being a musician and working for myself is that I have a lot of flexibility to pursue the things that I love. So first and foremost, it's really important to um i mean like build this career and make sure I have time allotted to practicing guitar, practicing songs, going through all the administrative stuff that comes with running a business.
00:37:33
Speaker
um you know, hitting snooze 30 times, it's really, really important that that gets done. um neck check check picture yeah no But in addition to music, some of my past times and some things that i I think keep me very healthy and very excited and inspired to move forward and get better. um I'm very active and I go to the gym every day. um I like to read um And I like to go for walks outside and it kind of keeps me energized. So yeah i definitely I definitely a lot time for business, but also things that kind of like free my spirit and keep my energy really high yeah and connecting with people. I love going out for coffee with friends and I love watching the sunset. So a day in the life to kind of sum it all together would be wake up and in those like
00:38:28
Speaker
And those like early morning hours of the day, that's when I get all of all of my work done because you're most you're really focused and you're really energized. um And then I would, let's say that lasts until about like 3 p.m. Then I would be practicing guitar and then I'd be practicing production. And then um the sun's been setting pretty early. So I'd probably go watch the sunset right around. um Like lately it's been like 5 p.m., a little after 5. Do you play your guitar?
00:38:57
Speaker
Do I bring the guitar to sunset? um Sometimes, yeah yeah. Occasionally, I'll do that. um Because it's inspiring. You see the like the beauty of nature, and it and it kind of like it brings you back in. yeah um And then at night, that's when I'd probably go to the gym um and stay on my health game. So um that's kind of a day in the life. Not as well. What's that? Not as well.
00:39:24
Speaker
Yeah, health is wealth. it's ah and it's I just love it. like if i If I go to the gym every every single day, like I really feel great about myself. whether you know Even if it's if it's just like for a second or um if I'm like doing like a really intense like two-hour workout, I feel ah feel really, really energized and really good to go to the gym. You're making me miss my old life before kids.
00:39:47
Speaker
Oh yeah, I believe that. i was like you by but That was pretty much my life. i Like I cannot get enough. Like I seriously, I even tried Pilates for the first time. Like just to mix it up because I love, I mean, it's kind of lame. but yeah um It's good to have like mobility and stretchy. And yeah's fun like and i' and I'm constantly looking for different ways to so just be active and and be fun because like, I don't know if you if you're active and you're getting those endorphins flowing,
00:40:17
Speaker
It's all like a it's kind of like a positive feedback loop and it inspires like hard work in the morning. um and And it just gets you like, ah it makes me feel young and and energized and excited to to take on the
Conclusion & Contact Information
00:40:31
Speaker
day. Yeah, that kind of stuff.
00:40:33
Speaker
um but Yeah, it's a cool deal. And then like, obviously like and so I'll be working. So the schedule is a little bit different. Yeah. That's a good life. Okay, two more questions. Speak to the heart of wedding pros. Like if I were to sum you up, I would say like you do have a very infectious personality, especially seeing you like work the crowd, but it seems very, it's very natural and just talking to people and being like a good listener. um But talk to them about, talk to the hearts of wedding pros, like if they're feeling like they're the draw and inquiries or they're feeling like they want to give up, what can you do today to like get them out of the phone? Wedding pros, I have a new and exciting opportunity for you to make passive income with digital products
00:41:22
Speaker
and courses and affiliate marketing. The space is booming right now and you have to take a look. Sky is truly the limit in the digital space and you can just stop trading your time for money and scale your business. And life just got a lot easier. Get your weekends back and comment at me at Carissa Woo, the word info, and I'll send you a free sneak peek guide on how to make passive income.
00:41:47
Speaker
And if you're ready to start making money from home while being there for the moments that matter, I can't wait to connect.
00:41:56
Speaker
So I think naturally with like ah being a business owner, it's gonna be a bit of a roller coaster, right? There's gonna be is's going to be highs where you're constantly getting booked and you're making tons and tons of money and you're making these dreams come true. But then like you're also gonna go in these and these valleys and kind of on like the downward end where maybe it's like, a um It's like the off season and you're not getting booked and you're maybe you're unsure that, I think like a funny thought is like you get to a point where you're like missing a couple of bookings and you're like, am I ever gonna get booked again? yeah But it happens to the best of us and and truly sincerely, um and that's just the nature of the business. There's gonna be highs and there's gonna be lows. And that's just the nature of life. Like sometimes you're gonna be really happy and sometimes um you're gonna just be neutral.
00:42:49
Speaker
um But my advice to to anybody or if there was like a ah token ah of inspiration that I could give to anybody that is in a similar situation as me as a wedding professional, it's just remember why you do it, right?
00:43:06
Speaker
Like as a wedding professional, whether you're a makeup artist, an event planner, a florist, or a musician like myself, what are we in it for? We're in it because we're essentially dream makers, right? Because brides or grooms or people that are hiring us for these events, they have these dreams, they have these ideas, but they don't know how to put it into effect. So they call on the wedding pros. They call on us because we take things that are just dreams,
00:43:34
Speaker
And then we make them real. and Like when somebody says, hey, I want this event to have flowers and champagne and beautiful tables, and this musician that like walks around and plays that song that I fell in love with, and I want my makeup to be perfect, and et cetera, et cetera.
00:43:51
Speaker
They call on us to do that, right? Because they can't do it on their own. So we're the experts. We're the people that really take these these fleeting ideas and we bring them to life. So if there's any token of inspiration I can offer, people that are like wondering, that are in like a low or are kind of awaiting their next high, it's just remember why you're in it. You're in it because, I mean, we've essentially won the lottery as far as like the career that we've chosen.
00:44:19
Speaker
where we're the people that make dreams come true. So it's exciting to be in that position and and people are counting on us to make that happen. So it's up to us to, you know, to be motivated and inspired to to make dreams come true. So. Wow. I want to end this like when you wish upon a star. That was such a good answer that I'm going to end it with that. That was so powerful and you could, I just want to like play that clip like,
00:44:48
Speaker
like all the time because it was so powerful and so good. But tell everyone where to find you and how to work with you. Amazing. Thanks so much, Carissa. So you can find me on Instagram at thejoemarks. That's T-H-E-J-O-E-M-A-R-X. um And I would love to work with ah with anybody. I love collaborating um with everybody in the industry. It's a lot of fun. um and my privilege to to hang out with you guys and collaborate. So you can find me on Instagram. It's probably the best way to contact me. um Or you can get my number from Carissa. She's she's my my hype man to go out there and spread the good word. um So thank you so much for having me. This has been a lot of fun. And I'm excited to see you at the next OCWP event. Disguised. Or with a, with a, with a.
00:45:47
Speaker
Thanks for joining me this week on Get a Heck Yes with Carissa Wu. Make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, or tell a friend about the show. Take a screenshot and post to IG. Tag me. Also, don't forget to download my free guide on how to become a lead generating machine. See you next time, wedding pros.