John Alone
“I came here to chew bubblegum and kick ass, and I’m all out of bubblegum”.
Less than four months after unveiling his landmark project ‘Spanish Blue’, rising artist John Alone is back with another heater in the form of “On The Run”.
This new offering sees the lyricist join forces for a collaboration with fellow rap artist Kway, as the gifted pair tread familiar territory for the multi-faceted release, once again fleshing out themes of heartbreak and abandonment with irresistible crooning in tow. We at Neo Music sat down with John to find out a bit more about him as an artist
NEO: How long have you been making music?
JOHN ALONE: I have been making music for about 5-6 years now, the last two under my current stage name
NEO: Who inspires you musically?
JOHN ALONE: I’m greatly inspired by alternative music in all its forms. I have been heavily influenced by artists like Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean and Kanye West, among others, but I also borrow influences from other left-of-centre artists and groups such as Hiatus Kaiyote, Beautiful Nubia, Tariq Disu, Lex Amor, etc. I really like strange people.
NEO: Explain your last single/EP/Album using three words
JOHN ALONE: Pop on Acid
NEO: What’s your favourite quote?
JOHN ALONE: “I came here to chew bubblegum and kick ass, and I’m all out of bubblegum”. “They Live” is one of the greatest, most ridiculous movies of all time.
NEO: What is the first thing people notice about you?
JOHN ALONE: I’m very warm. Literally.
NEO: What emotion do you experience the most?
JOHN ALONE: Loneliness. Not sure if that’s an emotion, but yeah.
NEO: If you were not an artist what other career would you have gone into?
JOHN ALONE: I love working with young people, so I’d probably either be teaching or mentoring in some capacity. I think that’s cus I’m still like 16 mentally. Not into this whole adult thing you guys seem to be so obsessed by, it’s actually quite horrible you know. Don’t listen to me though kids, I’m a mess.
NEO: If you could star in a TV show, what would it be and why?
JOHN ALONE: Skins, cus they look like they’re having a great time (until they’re not. Idk, I’ve seen like one episode, but everyone was laughing and off their heads. Looked interesting).
NEO: What other music genre would you like to explore?
JOHN ALONE: I honestly wanna try everything at least once. I wanna make Plug, I wanna do CYBERDRILL. Already made afrobeats but I wanna do more of that. Might slide onto some Amapiano. As pretentious as this sounds, I honestly don’t believe in genres. I think if I CAN make something, why shouldn’t I? No sound owns me.
NEO: What is one thing that you are deeply proud of in your life?
JOHN ALONE: The fact that I’m still here. I think that’s an accomplishment in and of itself. Life is difficult difficult lemon difficult.
NEO: Let us know your socials
JOHN ALONE: @^johnalone