You’ve been busy with music recently. Can you tell us what you’ve been up to over the past few months?
Music has been so crazy! In the best way possible though. I am currently booking shows all over the Southern California Area. I have two songs getting ready to be released on all online stores. The songs are called “I Want U” and “How Does It Feel?” and I am so proud of them. I recently did the photo shoot for the single artwork and I think people are really going to enjoy it! It’s been a lot of prepping the last couple of months but now everything is about to be out for the world to see and I’m excited for my hard work to finally be paying off! It’s been a blast.
Where did your love of music come from?
I grew up with my life revolving around the Lion King, I probably watched it twice a day for the first 4 years of my life and I fell in love with the music from the movie. Then when I was 5 my Uncle Joe bought me my first Britney Spears CD and from that moment on it was game over. From that day on my life revolved around pop music. I knew I wanted to pursue music and be a singer and entertainer just like Britney!
What has been your reaction to all the success you have been having?
The reaction has been so humbling for me. Especially since I have been booking shows, the amount of support that I have been receiving for people that is either coming to the show or are so bummed that they can’t be there has just been so surreal. The fact that people support me and my music and my dreams have just been surreal to say the least.
You have worked with some well known producers, song writers and choreographers. What have you gained from working with them?
I have learned something different from every single person I have worked with. I have been very blessed to work with people who have worked with some of my favorite artists, but something that I carry with me the most whether it’s at a dance rehearsal, a voice lesson or a studio session is that I am not doing this for me. My vocal coach and mentor Nick Cooper, (who’s worked with artists like Kesha, Bazzi and Nicki Minaj, to name a few) taught me that it is for the audience and for the people whose life I am going to touch when they listen to my songs or see my show in person.
What do you hope to gain out of your music career?
I hope that no matter what stage I am at in my career I am able to continue to gain a voice and a platform to be a voice for the people who need to be heard. I hope that I am able to touch the lives of many and release music and visuals that are exciting and refreshing for the world. I want people to think that if I can do it, so can they.
You have a show coming up on October 12th at Bar20 at the Grafton Hotel & you are set to perform at Palm Springs’ Pride Festival. What have you been doing to prepare for these shows?
I’m really excited for both of these shows! Especially since Bar20 is my first acoustic show ever and Palm Springs Pride is my first ever pride performance. I have been in long rehearsals with my guitarist and been seeing vocal coach once a week really perfecting the vocals for both shows! I’ve also been working hard at the gym making sure I look extra good in those audience videos and pics!
Any fun things planned for these shows?
I have some fun things planned for both shows! I have some very special acoustic renditions of my original songs and covers, and I am also performing my upcoming single “How Does It Feel?” live for the very first time! I am also excited for Palm Springs Pride Festival especially to sing and dance with people from the LGBT community: they hold a special place in my heart. And my outfit is gonna be FIRE, if I say so myself!
What do you think is the benefit of having a following on social media in the music industry?
Having a growing following is so important in this day and age. It has really changed the face of the industry because now it gives independent artists like me the opportunity to have people all over the world listen to our music without being backed by a major label. It also is beneficial since most labels now want to sign artists with followings on the internet because they know if the following is strong; people will buy the music and support the artists.
Does your fanbase have a name?
My fan base has a name in my head! Although they probably want to come up with their own name, I call them my “Superstars” because that’s what they are to me. They are all superstars in their own right. My fan base is smaller right now but growing, so we have some time to come up with an official name!
How do you want your relationship to be with your fans?
I want my relationship with my fans to be very tight nit. I want them to feel connected to me as possible, like I am their best friend. I want them to feel like we’re building this career together and I want them to feel proud when it is all said and done.
What social media platform do you use most to stay connected to your fans?
I stay most active on Instagram! It’s my #1. I am always posting pics and videos to my feed as well as updating my story daily. I also use twitter and snapchat, which is all the same: @JohnJosephMusic
What was the craziest fan encounter you have had?
I haven’t had any crazy fan encounters! Everyone has been pretty normal so far!
Will there be an ep/album out soon?
Right now I am just focusing on releasing singles at the moment. The first single that will be coming out is my song “I Want U” it’s a love song and I just absolutely love it. Shortly after that I’m going to release the follow up song “How Does It Feel?” Which is my song to anyone who feels they’ve been bullied. It’s a song I’m super proud of and I co wrote it with an amazing female songwriter. It’s one of my fav songs I’ve never done and I hope it speaks to people the way it’s spoken to me!
What’s an average day for you look like?
Everyday has been kind of different, but all centered around growing my music career. Some days are dedicated to rehearsals for upcoming shows. Some days are for planning content for my website or social medias and some days are planned for meetings with different venues. With the launch of my two new songs coming in the next couple months I have been making sure to have all my ducks in a row so that it is a flawless experience for my listeners. I will say though, even with everyday being different, I never miss time going to the gym, seeing my loved ones, or binge watching my favorite reality shows. It’s important to me that no matter how busy I am… I make time for the things and people that mean the most to me!
You also have been involved in creating an amazing self love campaign. How did you become involved with this cool campaign?
Thank you so much for asking about this because it’s something I am super passionate about. I getting ready to launch my self-love campaign The Feelin’ Hot Campaign early 2019. I wanted to launch this because I feel that no matter how big you are, how skinny you are, we all have our insecurities and it is time for us as a society to come together and embrace ourselves as we are. I think no matter what you way, what your age is, your sexual orientation, etc. We all deserve to feel hot in the skin we are in. I am going to be launching the Feelin’ Hot merch soon, where with every purchase, you are promising to love yourself and find reasons to feel good about yourself every day.
Do you have any last things you want to tell your supporters?
I just want to thank everyone for their support on this journey. Whether it’s coming to a show, liking a picture or tweet, watching my YouTube page… I see everything and I don’t take a single thing for granted. I hope you enjoy the two singles that are coming out and I hope to see you very soon at a show! Thank you all so much for everything so far and I can only hope we can grow together!
Instagram: @JohnJosephMusic
Twitter: @JohnJosephMusic
Snapchat: @JohnJosephMusic