What is your name?
My name is Jonny Dee.
What is your genre of music?
Psychedelic Hip Hop
Give us a little bio about you.
I’ve been into music since I can remember, but recently I’ve started taking it more seriously. I considered myself a rapper for a while, but while searching for my own sound and style, I found myself in caught in the sounds that a lot of our music now originated from. Artists like Prince, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Jimi Hendrix, etc. I then found myself getting wanting to start playing instruments & creating the sounds myself, so I picked up a guitar after not touching one since I was about 10 and became immediately obsessed. Now I consider myself more of an artist than just a rapper. I also resonate a lot more with ideas of spirituality and peace rather than a lot of ideas popular in the media these days. Sometimes I get labeled a hippie, sometimes I get labeled rapper, I’m not really sure if I fit in any category haha, but I think I prefer it that way.
What made you go in to music?
Music has just always been around me since a young age. My mom and dad used to always play music in the house and in the car. It’s just always been apart of me. Plus, has just always been in my family through a lot of my elders, including Marilyn McCoo of The 5th Dimension. I’ve always felt supported to make music and always been in love with it. So it just makes sense to pursue it ha.
Are you a signed?
Not currently
You have releasing your album ‘The Human Experience’, tell us more about
The idea of “The Human Experience” is all about self-realization and self-love. These days, when someone starts to really understand themselves and what they want, when they look back out at the rest of the world, a lot of the struggles and means of happiness that people have just don’t make sense, or seem “alien”. That’s how I felt, and that’s where the music comes from. it’s meant to be a guide to find freedom from the “everyday struggles” of our world. The “human experience” is the act of going out and trying to understands humans, why they do the things they do, treat each other the way they do, and trying to help them.
What was the writing process like’?
The writing process was long and interesting ha. I was evolving a lot as an individual while I was writing, which was awesome and really helped get the ideas out in the right way. When I write, I spend a lot of time listening to all of the instruments individually, I love getting into the sounds. When I actually get to the point of laying some lyrics down, I know all of the parts of the song like I played them, and I use that to create the flows. I got to work with producers from all over the world from France to Spain to New York. I had all different types of sounds in my head, searched for producers to help me create those sounds, studied them, and painted the pictures in my head with sounds.
What was the recording process like?
Recording is always fun. I recorded all of the songs initially as demos in my 1 bedroom apartment in La Jolla, Ca. Then linked up with a sound engineer by the name of Sean Powers, who helped me rerecord and mix everything. Sean and I have always had the same vibe, so working with him was easy and really efficient. He helped me a lot with finding ways to make all of the songs sound just how I wanted.
You also have ‘A Ways Away’ tells us the inspiration behind this track.
“A Ways Away” is directly inline with the idea of finding freedom away from everyday stresses and struggles. “Float away to where the pain don’t go”. The direct inspiration comes from a scene I had in my head of me coming into a party or a bar, after spending time away with myself, “in my own space”, and making this new scene my own. It’s all about me coming into the world, creating a vibe that’s free of everyone’s troubles, and inviting everyone to come be apart of it. It’s me creating a space where people can be who they truly want to be. Letting go of social status, pressure, and everything else in that boat. Getting lost in the music and just enjoying themselves. I’ve spent a lot of time doing that, and “A Ways Away” is about helping people do the same.
Do you have any collaborations coming up with any up coming artists?
I have more collaborations with Josh Menashe of the psych rock groups “Triptides” & “Frankie & the Witch Fingers”, who can be heard on two songs ‘The Human Experience’, as well as more collaborations with an amazing New York producer named Claine, who can be heard on 3 songs of “The Human Experience’.
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact?
Absolutely. I’m always up for working with other musicians. Anyone looking to collaborate should contact my manager Connor Van Deventer at jonnydeemgmt@gmail.com
Do you have gigs coming up or a tour in planning?
We do not currently have any shows lined up to support this project, but we’re planning on spreading the music and the message to everyone who’s willing to listen.
If so where are you thinking of heading?
Anywhere and everyhere that I can ha.
Do you play any instruments?
I do. I play guitar, bass, and piano/keyboard.
Who are your influences?
Prince, David Bowie, Tupac, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, & Bob Dylan.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
From the world around me, especially the people. Sometimes I’ll get inspired by an ineraction I see take place between two people, sometimes it’ll just be a conversation I have with someone, or even a conversation I just overhear. I spend a lot of time pondering peoples experiences, problems, struggles, highs, lows, and all of that ends up heavily influencing what I write I about.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
I’m not exactly sure, but definitely playing music. My new love for instruments has only continued to grow since I picked up a guitar. In 5 years I see myself playing more new instruments, and maybe even getting a band together.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
Not much, haha. A little bit of yoga, little bit of basketball with some friends maybe, and a little bit of sleep. I spend the majority of my time playing and listening to music.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
I don’t think I have a particular song, but the first album I truly fell in love with was a Blink 182 album called Take Off Your Pants and Jacket. I used to love Blink, and after my mom bought me that album, I had to start trying to learn their songs on bass. That album was definitely the first music I heard that really made me want to create something of my own.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
My Dad told me a while back that if I work harder than everyone else around me, things will work out for me.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Don’t spend too much time, if any, trying to be anything but yourself.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
Nothing’s ever perfect.
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
Everyone always goes to the beaches in San Diego, that’d be a good idea ha.
Your coming off tour;
1/ Where do you go first?
I definitely go home, get in my little studio, and jam. It’s my happy place haha.
2/ Who do you see first?
I guess I’d see my roommate and dog first if I went straight home. I’d make sure to see my mom soon after though. & another lady may be soon behind my mom ha.
3/What do you eat first?
Probably a breakfast burrito from a local Mexican shop.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
I always need my computer, I need a guitar backstage, a comb for my hair, a few minutes alone before I go on, and I need to not have my phone on me ha. Honestly though, as long as I have myself, I can make it work.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
