Q&A: Presence Opens Up About New Album, Embracing Collaboration, and Finding His Voice
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ARTIST PRESENCE IS NO STRANGER TO THE SPOTLIGHT. This Southern California artist, a.k.a. Jonathon Martinez, has come a long way from his early days as a shy 12-year-old using music for self-discovery. His journey to Presence began a decade ago, fueled by the raw lyricism of rap and the desire to express himself.
Fresh off the heels of a viral hit, a testament to his early talent and DIY hustle, Presence matches the buzzing energy of SXSW upon arrival. Now, with over two dozen singles and a staggering 100 million streams under his belt, Presence is poised for the next level. He's a TED Talk veteran, advocating for authenticity in the digital age, and his upcoming project promises a deeply personal story set to a captivating soundscape.
We got to chat more about the personal stories woven into his upcoming project alongside the evolution of his creative process in the midst of his time in Austin.
LUNA: Welcome to SXSW, Presence! How are you feeling with day one underway?
PRESENCE: It's chaotic, but in a creative way! There's so much energy buzzing around, it's inspiring. It's a bit of a contrast to my usual music, which tends to be on the sadder side. I'm trying to figure out how to crank things up a bit for my late-night set on Seventh Street.
LUNA: You've been making music for a while now, and your sound has definitely evolved. What are some of the key elements that draw you to a song these days?
PRESENCE: It's interesting – every song is different, but they all come from a personal place. I wanted this album to capture the full spectrum of emotions I experience, not just the sad stuff. Before, I felt pressured to write a certain way, but this time, I let myself be completely open and honest. Sonically, that translates into everything from piano ballads to heavy guitar riffs and even some pop-punk influences.
LUNA: It sounds like you took a different approach to the creative process as well.
PRESENCE: Absolutely! Before, I was very isolated, writing everything in my room. This album is my most collaborative project yet. I worked closely with a producer, Sweater Beats, and co-writer Gianni Taylor. We met on the first day and wrote two songs together – "Scared of the Fall" and "Running Back to You." From that moment, I knew we were on the same page. It was the first time I ever did writing sessions, and it was a great way to step outside my comfort zone.
LUNA: Having that kind of creative team around you must be incredibly valuable.
PRESENCE: It truly is. They've become more than just collaborators; they're my friends. We vent to each other, bounce ideas off each other, and Sweater builds the production around the emotions we're trying to convey. It feels very organic.
LUNA: "Scared of the Fall" is the first single you released. How does it compare to the rest of the album?
PRESENCE: "Scared of the Fall" sets the tone for the entire project. It starts out melancholic and somber, then explodes into a big rock ballad in the second half. That kind of genre-bending approach is what defines the album. Each song is a unique experience, and I love hearing people say it feels like multiple songs in one.
LUNA: It's definitely important to keep things fresh for listeners while still maintaining your own artistic identity. What are your goals for the coming months?
PRESENCE: I'd love to take these new songs on the road for a proper tour. I recently had my first headline show in LA, and it was an incredible experience. There were definitely some pre-show jitters, but the energy from the crowd was unreal.
In the meantime, the focus is on promoting the next single, "Running Back to You." Everyone on my team is really excited about this one, and I can't wait to release it. After SXSW, I plan to become up my content creator game and make sure everyone hears this music!
