Q&A: Johnny Utah
NO CATCHY OR WITTY HEADLINE would really be able to do the music of Johnny Utah justice. Lo-fi/Bedroom Pop, but 2.0 as it's crafted so damn well, is the simplest way to put his music. Complete with funky verses and catchy hooks, Johnny Utah's music draws the listener in more and more with each beat. One of the most refreshing aspects of his music is no song sounds the same - a quality increasingly popular within the bedroom pop scene. Johnny Utah has found a way to let the listener know it's him while giving them fresh sounds every time.
The carefree artist radiates a laid back persona through his social media and takes a more genuine and casual approach when it comes to his "brand". The combination of his charming music and easygoing personality lets Johnny Utah resonate with a huge population of the music scene. Read on to learn more about carnival funk, Johnny Utah's recent influences & more.
LUNA: I read your interview with Paper Magazine & read you were considering going into clown college, WWE wrestling and being a school guidance counselor all at one point. What ultimately lead you to focus on your musical career?
JOHNNY: I have always played music since a young age but I did not start making my own personal solo music until I was 20. I had projects with people growing up, and a band with my brother, and a band with my friend but I did not start seriously focusing on my OWN tunes until that age.
LUNA: As much as I hate asking this I do love hearing what artists come up with - what’s your elevator pitch for what type of music your making? I've seen the classic bedroom pop, quirky, lo-fi, psyche pop etc.
JOHNNY: I had a blog write me up and genre me as carnival funk one time and I always thought that shit sounded so funny so I have been calling it that ever since then.
LUNA: Your overall persona online is funny as fuck. Having a visual aesthetic is definitely part of an artists' "brand", so is this something you think about and make a huge effort into?
JOHNNY: It's definitely not something I did on purpose or that I cared about, but I think its really cool that I have a "persona" online just by being myself. It feels really genuine that I don't have to have a gimmick or an online mask I put on to be an "artist" hahaha. Also being labeled funny or whatever makes everything a lot less serious. No need for some monkey in a suit running my twitter lmao.
LUNA: You’ve cited Teen Suicide as an influence for your music, but are there any other artists that you tend to look to for inspiration?
JOHNNY: I've definitely been listening to Victor!, Billy Lemos, Temporex, Arthur and Floor Cry. I definitely am missing a lot of people but those are just some people / homies who have put out great tunes recently.
LUNA: What advice do you have for any young artists wanting to make their mark in the music scene but they aren’t sure where to begin?
JOHNNY: Don't let some pretentious art dweeb in a yellow turtleneck and acid washed overalls tell you that you suck or that you can't do this shit. If you want it bad enough, try and find a means of making it all happen.
LUNA: So, what’s next for Johnny Utah?
JOHNNY: I'm going to eat penne vodka right fucking now baby. talk to ya soon.