Josh Luke

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

I'm Josh Luke, sole owner of Josh Luke Music and Audio LLC. I grew up mostly in Lee's Summit, Missouri, and currently live and work as a professional drummer and live events specialist in Kansas City, Missouri. I spend the majority of my time in the Kansas City metro working as a drummer, audio engineer, events DJ, stagehand and AV tech. I also often travel as a drummer and audio engineer with different companies I contract with.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

I love how connected the live events world in Kansas City is. I get to meet so many talented people doing so many things at a high level in the city, specifically on the live production, wedding and musician side of the industry. Word of mouth is a prominent way I get work, and being surrounded by so many multi-talented creatives has allowed me to collaborate on so many meaningful shows and projects while also getting paid.

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

Josh Luke Music and Audio LLC started during COVID. I had just graduated college with an associate's degree in audio engineering and a hunger to make a difference in the live events scene in Kansas City. I have the talent to read a room and help set the rhythm of a show or event. Whatever services my clients request, I give it my best effort, am kind to others, and am ready to troubleshoot any problem. The work I do is fueled by my passion for music, people, and the rush of live events.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

I can't speak for all types of businesses, but for creatives aspiring to take their craft to the next level, be diligent about the non-creative parts of owning a business. Do detailed research on how to stick out or be what is missing from your corner of art, and stay on top of your busy work. Your creativity is the engine, but your ability to keep things organized, create systems that work for you, and learn about the daunting world of taxes as a contractor will keep the train on the track.

What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?

It's hard to point to one exact instance, but the compliments from clients that always make the hard work worth it are “What you contributed to this event is exactly what we envisioned!” and “You saved this event from chaos and we couldn't be happier with how it all went!”

Where do you see your company in the future?

I would love to continue to travel and make more connections outside of Kansas City, while growing in my different disciplines locally. Out of all of my passions, the focus going forward is always on my drumming career and taking as many opportunities as I can to perform at a high level. I'm also deeply invested in my career as an audio engineer, primarily focusing my future efforts on concerts, live recordings, local festivals and corporate events. I'd love to hop on a tour in the next year or two, regardless of whether it's on stage or behind the scenes.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

Live events aren't magic. It takes a lot of people a good amount of time, all putting in a large amount of effort, to make live events happen. There are so many pieces of the puzzle that must delicately work together for any event to be a success. When a show or event runs super smoothly, it means the people behind the scenes and on stage all rose to their potential that day. Then they have to tear it all down when it's over, which is something I also feel goes unnoticed.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?

My LLC is a sole proprietorship, which means I am the company. This puts a good amount of pressure on me, as all of my creative pursuits and passions are also tied into my wellbeing. When my personal life takes a hit or a gig zaps the life out of me, can I get up and do what needs to be done for the business, be my own external motivation, and let the love for the game overpower whatever else is dragging me down? Learning how to balance my drive and intensity with space to take care of myself and enjoy life has been one of my greatest challenges, but one that's worth working on.

Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

Growing up, I made it a challenge to learn songs from a wide range of genres. Some standout artists are Twenty One Pilots, Dance Gavin Dance, Paramore, Red, Colony House and Lil Wayne. As far as favorite athletes, Michael Phelps, Eric Berry, Peyton Manning and Lorenzo Cain were some childhood heroes of mine.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

My bands Malek and the Vibez and The Crossroads Sound, as well as the artist Hailes; grateful to be her go-to sound guy!

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

My website, https://www.joshlukemusicandaudiollc.com/, has everything you need to know about what I do, the services I offer, and the level of dedication I give to every event. You can also pop by my Instagram, @josh_3579, to see what I'm up to creatively outside of work.