After playing in over 10 bands through the years, JonnyRay is back with vengeance rising above the filth. Grinding through it all he has built a solid foundation, not just as musician, but a song craftsman, producer, photographer, videographer, and guitarist with imagination and creative thinking in hopes to inspire. Years of experience and bittersweetness has led him to his Independent/self-produced debut release of Alternative Rock “The With Or Against Us EP”.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with JonnyRay about the latest project, challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and how do You describe your style of music?
I’m from Nazareth PA. I would consider my music alternative indie rock. I grew up listening to bands like Bush, Taking Back Sunday, and Weezer. Although I really do listen to much more than just this genre, and I always find my roots leading me back to bands like these.
How did you get here? As in, what inspired or motivated you to take on this journey through music and the music biz?
So many things have inspired me through the years. Originally it was that wanting of human connection between people. I thought I could use music to build relationships, and as an outlet for the ones that went wrong. The disappointing part of this is that even music is difficult to bring people together these days. In fact, girls don’t even like when you write them love songs anymore! I don’t know if they ever even did. So that is a big no! Music was my therapy for the longest time until money got involved and playing in cover bands. It’s nice to pay the bills, but I also lost myself and my reason to play music. After life taking me through hell and back, I found myself playing music for the reasons I started. Which is how this EP came about!
How does your latest project compare/contrast with your previous release(s)? Were you setting out to accomplish anything specific, follow a specific theme, or explore different styles of creation?
This is my first solo release. I played lead guitar in many different bands previously, but never fronted one. The goal of this EP was to introduce myself to the public and give a sneak peak of the album that is already completed. Each song addresses different relationships gone wrong. Except for the song “Me+Myself+I=Us” which is a song about the world stripping everything away from you and finding the will to fight for what is rightfully yours. Letting the songs out into the world is also helping me let go of the past and evolve into who I am now.
The EP starts out with emotions of anger and betrayal. It’s those hard rock fight songs like Me+Myself+I=Us that grab your attention right from the start. As you listen through the EP it will eventually start to mellow out and capture different emotions, and end with the love song “Constant Daydream”. It’s about daydreaming for that perfect love that never existed. I’m looking forward to the album. My goal is to cover every emotion on the album which I could not fit on this EP. I like the aggressive rock song, but I have a soft side to me too.
Name the biggest challenge you faced as a creative during these unprecedented? How did you adapt? How have you kept the creative fires burning during all this?
The worst 5 years of my life led me into writing and producing my own EP. Everything imaginable possibly went wrong and I hit rock bottom with $00 in my bank account, and even ended up in the hospital with health complications. I had to play acoustic songs at the local bars to pay the bills. Now I’m just trying to stay alive and pray for the best to happen with this new project.
What do you stand for?
I believe everyone has the right to be who they want to be, and to create what they want to create. No one should take what is rightfully yours. I also believe everyone should have equal opportunity whether you come from money or not! The world eats people up and spits them out. I’ve seen the most talented people belittled, and I know I don’t stand for that too.
What was the last song you listened to?
23 by Jimmy Eat World
Does that artist influence you in any way?
Absolutely! Their lyrics, emotions, and layers of melody make the hairs on my arm stand up
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? 8-tracks? Cassettes? CDs? MP3s? Streaming platforms?
Vinyl
What does music mean to you?
Everything…It’s opened my mind to so many things in my life, and has made me who I am today.
Where is the best place to connect with you and follow your journey? (Include your links)
https://www.instagram.com/JonnyRayMusic/
Anything else you wish to include, add or say?
I’m the most single I have ever been and need a date with Paramore’s Hayley Williams!
