We had the good fortune of connecting with Joe Cruz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joe, what makes you happy? Why?
I think staying creative in any capacity makes me happy. Whether it’s playing guitar on stuff I produce or write, and even other people’s work. Production, songwriting, producing music and helping other people out with their own songs & productions is kind of the world I exist in…I’m getting into documentary film making now which is new for me. I’ve scored music for documentaries but have never made one.

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 was born in the Philippines and we immigrated to Vancouver, Canada when I was young, I started out learning guitar when I was 12 and went through the typical high school garage band journey playing cover songs then playing in original bands writing our own material. I went to University, finished my music degree and planned on becoming a high school music teacher but ended up being a touring & session guitarist in Vancouver. Most notably, working with with Sarah McLachlan, Sophie B. Hawkins, Delerium, and a few indie bands & artists playing throughout Canada & the U.S. and parts of Asia. Did the whole TV show circuit at the time, performing on The Tonight Show, ELLEN, Good Morning America etc. Then I got into doing more production…. I ended up renting a production studio where there were a couple of film/TV composers who also had rooms in the same facility. They eventually asked me to compose cues or write songs for shows & films they were working on so I got deep into that world as a composer/songwriter. I ended up meeting a young artist named Carly Rae Jepsen and we co-wrote & produced an EP together when she was 17; eventually some of the songs we wrote ended up on her critically acclaimed Album “EMOTION” . After moving to Los Angeles and many stops & starts….I got a call to play guitar on the David Byrne Musical “HERE LIES LOVE” on Broadway and ended up working with David Byrne himself which I definitely never imagined I’d be doing , and now I’m a Music Director on the Los Angeles production of that same musical which opens at the Mark Taper Forum in February 2026!

I would say the most important lesson I’ve learned is to always stay creative & curious; and find a community of like minded people. Now, I’m diving into documentary film making which I’ve always been curious about. I’m making a documentary about filipino musicians that play in cover bands throughout Asia. Almost anywhere in Asia you go, you can throw a rock and hit a filipino musician. Because of the Philippines history of American colonization, english is widely spoken and our appreciation of American culture & music runs deep. Consequently, this led to many Filipinos being sought after overseas as nurses, nannies, and workers in the hospitality industry…..and of course, musicians. As a matter of fact, we invented karaoke!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
You can’t be in SoCal without hitting the coastal beaches like Matador & Pointe Dume in Malibu, Manhattan Beach, or Santa Monica. As far as cuisine….Mexican food is definitely a must, i’m mostly plant based so El Cocinero in Van Nuys is a favorite and probably has in my opinion, the best vegan mexican food. Lotus Vegan for Thai food in NoHo, and Yume in Studio City for sushi. K-Town would for sure be on the itinerary! Can’t forget the vegan food mecca Crossroads Kitchen in Hollywood! Watching a couple comedy shows at one of the great clubs like the Improv or the Comedy Store is also a definite must do! Then, finishing the week off with a hike up to the Observatory in Griffith Park.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would say that my family, which along with a small circle of friends keeps grounded. My mother, who passed during COVID was very supportive of me growing up, driving me to rehearsals and music lessons before I learned how to drive…

Website: https://www.cruzmusic.com/

Instagram: @cruzmusic

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