Meet Michael Joshua Williams | Actor/Musician/Guitar Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Joshua Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael Joshua, can you tell us about a book that has had a meaningful impact on you?
I wanted complete control over my own life. I have a streak of perfectionism in me – and the idea of trying to please a boss and/or corporation to the standards I hold myself to – at the same time I am also demanding that level from my own personal ventures – became completely overwhelming. It only got harder as I got older so venturing on solo was the only option.

Along with that perfectionist streak I also have a lot of rebel in me – and frankly I grew quickly tired of working hard only to make money for an entity that didn’t give back to me.

I don’t have a set budget for what I do. I have a wife and a daughter who is currently a senior in high school. We live within our means. Setting a concrete budget I find to be a bit stressful. The three of us, our cats included, are aware of what our income allows and we try and live happily and freely in that provided window.

I think the most important factor in the success of “my brand” is my personality. I take my work and process very seriously but I make a concerted effort to not let others see just how serious it is. Life is such a nightmare in our own heads all day and I think it’s important to TRY and not become a character in others day to day personal stress narratives. I want the experience of hiring me, whether it’s as an actor, performer, musician, or teacher, to be entirely rewarding and FUN. I’m very laid back and I think my success comes from that. The best testimonial I can receive would say, “Well that was exactly what I wanted – and it was so EASY.”

I pursued an artistic career because I live very deeply within my own head. I spend so much time there that my thoughts and feelings have to have somewhere to go in real life. They have to have a place to manifest or my brain will become a jungle labyrinth that I get lost in. Creating and performing and teaching others to do the same is the absolute best way for me to free myself from all that.

I once house sat for a college professor and on his coffee table was a copy of a book by filmmaker David Lynch, “Catching The Big Fish”. I read the entire thing on the couch one day in maybe 20 minutes. Lynch is a very divisive, esoteric filmmaker and the book tries to explain how his brain works. It explores the idea that in order to “catch the big fish” – you have to venture into deep unexplored water. His methods to do such include meditation, etc. I was fascinated by the idea and it really set something off in me that I often still finding myself dwelling on. It absolutely changed my life and way of thinking about creating.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I hope that my art is completely fearless. In my opinion, the greatest creations are seen warts and all and I hope my craft reflects that. Whether it’s playing a gig, acting a part or teaching music to a child or an adult. It goes back to what I mentioned earlier about fun and ease. Everything you put in front of the world should be fun, honest and free of shame. I can almost guarantee that if you follow those rules – you will find satisfaction. It’s hard to criticize any work that abides by those factors.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In the Atlanta food world – I am team Community BBQ off Clairmont in Decatur. The food is always great. It’s unflawed, served on a silver tray with a checkered paper underneath and will speak to you. Perfect.

Im a huge fan of an oddities store in Atlanta called “Rainy Day Revival”. It’s full of creepy nic nacs – archaic medical supplies, bizarre taxidermy, oddball collectibles. They used to be located in Chamblee and I stopped in a few years ago and got to chat awhile with the owner Jeremy and his wife. They are great people and I was very quickly taken and fascinated by his story as to why this was his venture in life. I think they both see the beauty in the flawed and that philosophy speaks deeply to me. They also rent out all sorts of cool props for the continually growing Atlanta film and television industry.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The absolute most important figure in my adult life thus far has been a professor I had in college – Kim Barber Knoll. I studied theatre in college and deeply struggled there – in all ways – spiritually, academically, you name it. Professor Knoll saw that and challenged me, reprimanded me when necessary and rewarded me when it was deserving. She taught me a great deal about theatre, creating a character and acting in general – but her lessons and example set about adulthood and life in general continue to deeply resonate with me. When i’m working on a show and a character – I think about her often. But I think about her more when I find myself stuck in any kind of rut be it financial, emotional – her influence knows no bounds in my life.

Website: www.michaeljoshuawilliams.com

Instagram: @michaeljoshuawilliams

Image Credits
Photo taken by my wife, Jamee McMillin Font/Logo Design by my brother Nicholas Williams