Diandra Interviews JOHN k.: Challenging Yourself To Build Yourself

JOHN.k  is having a PHENOMENAL YEAR! He just got signed to Epic Records, and released his new EP, if we never met, today. In it, he combines soulful verses to silky synths to create various dynamics: from wanting to party, “1999,” to wanting to sulk, “if we never met.” To John K,. life is an emotional rollercoaster, of which music provides a way to smooth it out. In our interview, he discusses what he hopes to convey in his new EP, and what led him to his messages on love and life. 

Diandra: You hope with each release to exude a new layer of maturity and artistry. How does your new EP achieve this? ?

JOHN.k: For this EP, I put a strong emphasis on the songwriting. I tried to get a bit more personal lyrically. As a team, we are very competitive and are always challenging each other. The last 4 years of my life I’ve focused on being honest; honest with the people around me, but most importantly with myself. When the John.k project was born, it was important for me to stay true to this concept. The EP is a reflection of everyone involved; the boundaries and challenging of each other to create a new sound. It’s a 4 song picture of where the project is headed. 

Epic records – thank you to everyone who made this possible. We’re in business.

Diandra: You value longevity and integrity as cores to prospering your career. What are the actions you have taken to assure your music career is long-lasting and original to you?

JOHN.k: Keep challenging each other. Keep innovating, and never stop writing new music. I think the best I could ever do to ensure that my career is original and long-lasting is just trust the process and be who I am. My process might be a little different than most — I’m at my best. personally, when I’m surrounded by the ones I love, and musically at my best when I’m writing with my best friends. Everything you hear in this EP and the ones coming in the near future are true stories we have been through. As long as we are being honest in our process and in our delivery to the listeners, that’s all I need.

Diandra: Why did you title your new EP, “If We Never Met?” Is there a story or vision behind its name?

JOHN.k: Obviously If We Never Met is about a very special person in my life, but it also encompasses the story of this entire project. If I never met Rob, if I never met Donte, if I never met Fvces, if I never met Ian, if I never met Brent, if I never met the team at Epic, this project wouldn’t exist. Its very special for me to begin this journey by acknowledging the people who made it possible to begin with. It was a no brainer that this was the title of the debut EP. 

Diandra: Going off the idea of “What IF.” What is one “what if” that lingers in either your mind or music or both?

JOHN.k: What if I never started singing? 

Diandra: You have stated your style is Clean, Understated, and Experimental. Of your new 4 tracks, which one do you think is the cleanest, the most understated, and the most experimental? Why?

JOHN.k: I have so much pride in the diversity of this EP. Though it’s only 4 songs, I feel as if we were able to explore different genres while maintaining the consistency of our sound. If we never met is definitely the most understated song on the EP. It’s raw, vulnerable, and a side you may not have seen from me yet. 1999 and Chill are both very experimental. 1999 Is a lighthearted throw back song influenced by hip hop, and ,in Chill, we really tried to push the boundaries sonically. Rum and Tequila is smooth and clean with a mix of emotions. 

Diandra: What are new terms you would use to describe your music and its messages?

JOHN.k: Honest. Lighthearted. Connected.

Diandra: You sing to love with longing; longing for it to come and longing for it to go right? What do you feel makes love/ a relationship go right?

JOHN.k:  Honesty and trust are the key foundations for me. But more than that, in any loving relationship, there needs to be a commitment to letting the other person be exactly who they are. That’s love. 

Diandra: Bouncing off that question, how you you think a person attracts love?

JOHN.k:  I think a person attracts what they give off. Simple as that. 

OT – JOHN.k (Official Audio)

Diandra: From “Rum N’ Tequila” to “1999,” there is a sense of nostalgia for really fun times. What is your funnest memory with music? Was there a specific song involved?

JOHN.k:  Writing and finishing all the music on the EP with the team was incredible. We didn’t take ourselves too seriously and because of that we were able to get exactly what we wanted to say out there. The entire IWNM EP has made us laugh and cry as we’ve been creating. We’ve fought over parts we believed in and I, sometimes, had to let go of my pride if outnumbered. Certain moments just define you and creating this EP was one of those moments for myself and for our team. 

SO LOVELY! JOHN.k is super excited for his future, and you feel it in his responses. His making work that he loves and is being recognized, of which if we never met, coming out April 26, is a powerful stepping stone for him. It is a chance for to show how his voice ranges in octave and passion, along with how his soundscapes and verses make you grow in heart. For More Information On JOHN.k Click Here.