Evolving from a previous life as a Manhattan, United States computer engineer, soul shaking indie artist, Wise John shares that music has been the one steady part of his dramatic life, having moved homes over 30 times, lived in 3 continents, battled chronic illnesses and had an impressive resume of jobs, including lifeguard, cancer research assistant and space roboticist.
January this year saw John setting up a life in New York City and committing to his true love of music, turning to a full time music career.
Inspired by big band sounds of Electric Light Orchestra and the lighter, more poetic singer-songwriter vibes of artists like Bob Dylan, Wise John brings together the two with carefully crafted, meaningful lyricism and soaring harmonies, neatly packaged in a nostalgic big band retro feel.
Recorded in an apartment in Brooklyn with artist, Elise Trouw and produced by Quinn Devlin (Quinn Devlin and the Bridge Street Kings),The latest single by Wise John, and lead track from his upcoming retro love song EP, ‘Mr. Love’ takes the listener on a journey, beginning at the heart of loneliness, leading them through to the ‘sunny meadows’ of romance.
“I wrote Mr. Love after my girlfriend accused me of only writing sad songs. “Are you sad?” she said. I supposed I wasn’t. I thought, what’s the happiest song I know? I could write something like that.” Wise John
True to his signature big, nostalgic sound, John creates the foundations of the track with a 6 voice backing choir, two saxophonists, a Hammond B3 organ, and lays his warm, vibrant and powerful vocals over the top.
Along with the release of ‘Mr. Love’, Wise John has released a stripped down video of himself and the band recording the track. You can check it out below:
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You can listen to ‘Mr. Love’ below:
Karen Harding is a Melbourne, Australia based singer/songwriter, founder of Sounds On The Couch, and founder and operator of boutique music PR service for emerging and independent artists, Rise Indie.