ARTIST OF THE MONTH
Joe Baughman: Crafting Harmonies in Music and Motion
In this feature, we dive deep into a conversation with Joe Baughman, an artist whose work includes music, filmmaking, and a harmonious blend of the two. Known for his meticulous stop-motion videos and evocative musical compositions, Joe went from a small-town artist to a notable figure in the indie scene. Follow along as we explore his artistic process, inspirations, and the collaborations that have shaped his career.
Q: Tell me a little bit about the kind of art that you create.
A: “I split my time between music and filmmaking. At the moment, I’m focused on putting out an album by the end of this month. So far, I’ve created three music videos for the album, and I’m working on a fourth. Before that, my work consisted mostly of music videos for other bands around the country and a lot of stop-motion pieces. When I need to fund my own projects, I’ll take on corporate clients as well.”
Q: Can you describe how you first became interested in stop-motion animation?
A: “I started when I was a kid building Legos. My parents got this little Steven Spielberg Lego Jurassic Park set with a stop-motion camera. I made little videos from that, animating little things I would find around the house. Being from a small town, I didn’t have many people to work with. Stop-motion videos were something that I could do on my own or with a small group.”
Q: What was one of your earliest professional projects in music and videography?
A: “One of the first music videos I did was recording a record with my fourth-grade teacher. He used to sing when I was a kid, and because he had a lung disease called pulmonary fibrosis, it was taking away his ability to sing. I wanted to capture his songs while he could still sing. During that process, I emailed the band My Morning Jacket for some production advice. They had a website where they would answer production questions and help DIY musicians like myself. Throughout that communication, their guitar player learned that I make videos, and he asked me to make a music video for him. It gave me my first taste of creating music videos for bands. From there, I worked at a studio in Fort Wayne, and I would create animations and videos after hours. I posted a video on YouTube, and one of the few people who saw it was the artist Sufjan Stevens. He reached out to me to make a video for him, and my filmmaking career took off from there.”
A: “I’ve worked with Sufjan Stevens, Houndmouth, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., The Roots, Questlove, and other indie bands. All these connections have opened the door to more work that funds my passion for making music.”
Q: In addition to filmmaking, you’re in a band as well?
A: “I have two different bands. One of them is The Flying DeSelms. It’s a pseudonym that I use when I want to explore music styles that are different from my main band. The other one is Joe Baughman + The Righteous Few. We’re an all-local band that performs around the Michiana area. Right now, we’re working on an album in collaboration with a Chicago band called OK Cool. Our collaboration is called Pocketboy Solid, and we created it in response to Covid Isolation. This was an opportunity to move away from solo work to something collaborative. We brought on OK Cool to play bass and drums on the record while Joe Baughman + The Righteous Few filled in the rest. We made this big, fun album out of it. It’s cool working with additional band members who bring their own flavor to the project.”
Q: When can fans expect Pocketboy Solid’s upcoming album?
A: “The album’s set for release on June 28th. It was going to be the 14th, but we had a really interesting opportunity present itself. Our first single is about character actors, and it’s titled “Close Encounters of the Richard Kind.” The actor, Richard Kind, heard the single when his son sent it to him. He reached out to the band and said he’d be up for doing anything for us. We couldn’t pass up an opportunity like that, so we had him record a funny reaction video to the single. It was great, so I asked him if he wanted to record with us. I went to LA and recorded him doing a verse for the last track on the album. We just finished the mixing process and need a little more time to push the album out. It’s worth it to have an interesting, bizarre feature on the record.”
A: “Our music videos are on YouTube and we’re on most streaming platforms. Search for Pocketboy Solid, The Flying DeSelms, and Joe Baughman + The Righteous Few to see what’s out there.”
Q: Looking forward, where do you see your career heading?
A: “It’s hard to plan for music because you have to get a good break, but this record’s been exciting, and a lot of people have been listening to it. I’ve gotten better at marketing it than I have in the past. I’d love to be able to connect with a record label that would help us with marketing so that I wouldn’t have to do so much self-funding and promoting. I’d love to be able to tour and play more shows. On the filmmaking side, I’m writing a feature that I’d love to be able to film, and I have documentary ideas I’m interested in. I’m pulled in many directions, but the new album and the music are my main focus right now.”
Q: Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring musicians and filmmakers?
A: “Find joy in the process of making your art. If you don’t enjoy that, it’s not worth the time it will take to grow and find an audience. If you love what you’re doing, then keep going no matter what. You can always figure out a way to make it work. There’s nothing wrong with working a full-time job or side jobs to support yourself and your ability to do what you love.”
Q: How can fans support you and your band?
A: There are many ways to show support which are all invaluable to independent artists like us. Purchasing our records, attending our shows, and streaming our music are direct ways to help. Adding our songs to your playlists and sharing our music on social media increases our visibility. For those who want to stay connected with the latest on our projects and performances, I recommend following our updates through my link tree at https://linktr.ee/jbaughmanmusic. Every bit of support makes a significant difference and allows us to keep creating and sharing our art with the world.
Reflecting on a Journey of Artistic Integrity
Joe Baughman inspires others through his unique blend of music and film. From the meticulous frames of his stop-motion animations to the heartfelt chords of his music, Joe’s creations are a testament to the power of perseverance and passion. As he continues to explore new dimensions of his crafts, the future holds promising opportunities for growth and expression. For those captivated by Joe’s innovative work, follow his continued evolution, and stay updated on his groundbreaking projects by following him on social media and checking out his latest music and films. His story shows aspiring artists that creativity knows no bounds.
Photos by Gary Riggs Photography
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