Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with JonoJosh

JonoJosh is a singer-songwriter, dancer, and choreographer…basically, there isn’t anything he can’t do. He’s shared the stage alongside artists including Carly Rae Jepsen, PSY, Marianas Trench, and dozens more. In 2016, he dropped his debut EP, Outside, which was his first step in his musical journey.

JonoJosh is back in 2019 with a brand new single, “Restart”. The song’s empowering message is about finding your feet and acknowledging that you’re ready for a fresh start.

Pop Culturalist recently caught up with JonoJosh to chat about “Restart”.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music and dance?
JonoJosh: My mother actually had a dream before I was born that I was going to be jumping and joyful. That’s the reason she named me JJ. JonoJosh comes from that.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
JonoJosh: I grew up listening to Kirk Franklin, Tonex, and Tye Tribbett. In many ways, they have really influenced my live show, however, I would say that my recordings tend to be inspired in the moment by current events. It’s something that I learned from my brother Nathan, who’s also a singer-songwriter.

PC: For years, you were dancing and choreographing for artists including PSY and Carly Rae Jepsen, but your heart was telling you to pursue a career in music. Walk us through that decision process and transition.
JonoJosh: I’ve always been a singer who loved to dance. Growing up, my siblings would get together and breakdance, limbo, and then sing songs. Not much has changed. When I was eight-years-old, my dad told my brother, “I’ll give you a dollar for every song you write”. I thought that sounded like a great deal. So, I wrote a couple of songs over the next few days, asked my dad for the money, and I haven’t stopped since. The dancing and choreographing was always something that helped inspire the songs—they always went hand-in-hand.

PC: You just released “Restart”. What was the inspiration behind the single?
JonoJosh: The fun thing about music is that it’s what you make of it. With this particular song, it came from a very nuanced place; it isn’t just about one thing. It was inspired by being broken-hearted, feeling stuck spiritually, and living without motivation. Sometimes the hardest thing to do when you’re stuck is ask for help, but oftentimes, the act of asking can be the catalyst for change.

PC: How does “Restart” differentiate itself from the songs on your debut EP, Outside?
JonoJosh: Outside was all about my first steps into discovering who I am and all the experiences I had as I was creating it. “Restart” has always been about rediscovery. It really tells the continuation of the story. Sometimes you can get bogged down by life and you need a jump to get going again.

PC: What does the rest of the year hold for you as we look ahead to the rest of 2019?
JonoJosh: I’m currently going to be releasing more tunes every two months. I’m pretty excited about it! My next show is at Lee’s Palace (Toronto) on June 28th.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
JonoJosh: Too many! I watch Black Mirror, A Place to Called Home, RuPaul’s Drag Race, The 100, Dead to Me…I could go on for hours.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
JonoJosh: I love Velvet Goldmine. There’s so much originality in it.

PC: Favorite book?
JonoJosh: I’m a total nerd and love fantasy novels. I’m currently obsessed with LitRPG books. I’m waiting on The Land: Book 8 by Aleron Kong to come out.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
JonoJosh: This is an especially hard one because, as you probably know, I do a lot of musicals. I think my favorite would be Jason Robert Brown’s Parade, but a close second is Brantwood.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
JonoJosh: I love Prodigy, Muse, Chucho Valdes, and Kimbra.

PC: First album you bought?
JonoJosh: Grits’ Factors of the Seven

PC: First concert you attended?
JonoJosh: My mom’s! I was her biggest fan. Outside of the family, probably DCTalk. I grew up in the church choir and they were all the rage.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
JonoJosh: The Danforth Music Hall!

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
JonoJosh: The Lord of the Rings soundtrack. We listened to it while driving through the Rocky Mountains and it was truly inspiring. I will never forget that memory. A close second is Bebe & Cece’s Christmas album. Every Christmas isn’t complete ‘til “Ooh Child” comes on.

To keep up with JonoJosh, follow him on Twitter and Instagram, and pick up “Restart” on Amazon Music, iTunes, or stream it on Spotify.