How I beat stage fright | Joe Kowan

Summary

In this engaging talk, Joe Kowan shares his personal journey with stage fright, recounting how it initially paralyzed him during performances. Despite the anxiety that plagued him, he found a breakthrough by writing a song about his fears, which transformed his experience and connected him with his audience. Kowan emphasizes the importance of embracing one’s vulnerabilities and using them as a creative tool, ultimately leading to a more confident performance. Through humor and relatability, he encourages others to face their own fears in pursuit of their passions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Joe Kowan has struggled with significant stage fright since childhood.
• 🎶 Despite his fear, he felt compelled to share his stories and songs with others.
• 😨 His anxiety escalated before performing, causing physical symptoms like a dry mouth and shaky voice.
• 🤔 Kowan humorously compares his fear response to facing a saber-toothed tiger.
• 📅 He committed to performing weekly at an open mic to overcome his nervousness.
• 💡 After repeated unsuccessful performances, he had an epiphany to write a song about his stage fright.
• 🎤 By embracing his nervousness, he created a connection with the audience, transforming his fear into an authentic performance.
• 👥 His 'stage fright' song allowed both him and the audience to share in the experience, making them feel like a community.
• 🌱 Over time, Kowan's confidence grew, and he no longer needed to rely on the stage fright song to perform.
• 🎵 He humorously incorporates his stage fright into his music, finding relief and growth through vulnerability.

Q & A

What was Joe Kowan's initial reaction to performing in front of an audience?

Joe Kowan experienced significant stage fright, feeling an overwhelming sense of anxiety before performing, which he described as a 'big bit' of fear.

How did Kowan's perspective on sharing his music change over time?

Initially, Kowan only played his songs for himself due to his anxiety. However, after a couple of years, he wanted to share his stories and ideas with others despite his fear.

What specific physiological responses did Kowan describe experiencing due to stage fright?

Kowan described a rush of adrenaline, increased heart rate, faster breathing, dry mouth, and muscle contraction, all signs of his sympathetic nervous system activating in response to fear.

What realization did Kowan have about his stage fright?

Kowan had an epiphany that he could write a song that exploited his nervousness, turning his fear into something authentic and relatable for his audience.

What did Kowan promise himself after his first performance?

After his first performance, Kowan promised to return to the open mic every week until he no longer felt nervous about performing.

How did writing a song about stage fright help Kowan?

Writing the song allowed Kowan to communicate his feelings of anxiety, giving the audience permission to empathize with him rather than feel uncomfortable for him, which ultimately helped him connect with them.

What did Kowan mean by 'we were all one big happy, nervous, uncomfortable family'?

Kowan suggested that by acknowledging his stage fright through his song, he created a sense of shared experience with the audience, making them feel united in their discomfort.

Did Kowan's stage fright improve over time?

Yes, over time, Kowan found that he could perform with more ease and didn't need to rely on his stage fright song, except during particularly anxious moments.

What humorous elements did Kowan include in his song about stage fright?

Kowan incorporated humor by mentioning imagining the audience without clothes to alleviate his anxiety, reflecting his self-deprecating style and ability to find levity in his fear.

What is the significance of the audience's reaction during Kowan's first performance?

The audience's discomfort during his initial performance mirrored his own, highlighting the commonality of stage fright and setting the stage for the connection he sought to achieve through his music.