[John-Robert](https://johnrobert.lnk.to/RBAF ) is only 20 years old and already living out his dreams on the daily. Originally hailing from Virginia, the singer, songwriter, and producer extraordinaire describes himself as “an average height, decent musician,” showcasing humility when it comes to the depth in his music.
With each release, the rising star tells a beautiful story inspired by real-life experiences, allowing listeners to enter into his mind as he croons his lyrics to the masses.
First being discovered by legendary, Grammy-winning producer Ricky Reed, John-Robert celebrates his new venture signing to Warner Records. Recently, he released a visual for “Damn Bean,” which tells the unconventional love story starring a character named Simon who is seen as submissive in a bondage suit looking for human connection. Additionally, he released his newest single “Rock Back & Forth,” keeping the momentum going as we enter this new stage of the world opening back up.
Today, he unleashes his newest, highly-anticipated EP titled _Healthy Baby Boy, Part 1_ along with a video for the track “Move It To The Side” in which the musician spends the night with the Grim Reaper . _Flaunt_ caught up with John-Robert via Zoom, who was in awe that his tomato tree had a lemon growing out of it. Read below as we discuss his sound, growing up in Virginia, being discovered by Ricky Reed at age 16, shooting the “Damn Bean” visual, what he feels playing the guitar, studio essentials, goals, and his new EP _Healthy Baby Boy, Part 1_!
**How would you describe your sound?**
I grew up in Virginia so I really admired folk and Appalachian, old country music. I really admired the sincerity, storytelling, and lyricism of the genre. While I’m a kid who grew up performing at coffeehouses and the local Shenandoah Jamboree, I’m also a product of the internet. I learned production through Youtube tutorials, and definitely took influence from people like Sufjan Stevens. I started listening to Bossa Nova, which was tight while cooking. I was incredibly inspired by Jeff Buckley, so that found its way in there.
My sound’s a combination of only having an acoustic guitar to rely on and playing it by myself, that’s the foundation. It got experimental with the electric guitars in Richmond, a part of Virginia that’s known for their rock and metal. I like working with whatever weird sound design things I can make by putting a bunch of plug-ins and textures together.
**What was the household like growing up in Edinburg, Virginia?**
I’m the oldest of 4 siblings. The thing with Virginia is I lived in the kind of small town that only has one stoplight. We had to make our own fun. We stole signs and set things on fire, a lot of backyard football, BB guns. I keep coming back to fires, we made a lot of fires. There wasn’t a bunch of stuff to do, we had to be creative and get crafty making our own fun. I got really invested in music, spent a lot of time alone.
**How did music help you in those moments?**
Oh my god, it was weird. I was at a crossroads. I’d graduated high school a year early so I could go to Berklee College of Music, but then I met this producer and went to LA to work out of his pool house instead. That didn’t work out, so I went home and didn’t have a lead to what my career path was. This music thing had to work, and all my friends were doing senior year, so I felt like an absolute loser living in my parents’ basement again. I had a chip on my shoulder. Music gave me a great deal of purpose, I knew why I was alive. I knew what I was doing. I got really excited at the end of each day. I got that hit of dopamine when I’d send myself demos, like “wow, who’s this? Who’s this underground artist? What’re they working on?” It was a lifeline. I’m non-confrontational, so I couldn’t really tell anyone my problems and I didn’t want them to fester. I thought by making art, I could get something off my chest. Make something beautiful and productive.
**You were discovered by Ricky Reed at age 16, who flew you to LA. How was that experience?**
It was rad. I never told anyone really, while it was happening. \[laughs\] It was really good for me, because I knew what there was to attain. Being there, seeing it in person...wow, these are people actually doing it and doing it well. I want to be of their skill and influence, having that serious relationship with music. Meeting Ricky is a whole experience in and of itself. The dude constantly buys new gear. I’ve had a relationship with music for 7 years now, sometimes you get tired of music but that dude always finds a way to reinvigorate his love for music. You never stop learning, there’s always new things that make sound.
**How was it being in the bondage suit in the “Damn Bean” video and not being able to use your hands?**
Tight and full of restraints. I had a bruise on my Adam’s apple for 4 days after because of the collars. \[laughs\] You stretch your sense of self and ego a little bit, because you’re pretty much disguised. The whole point of wearing that suit is to dehumanize the wearer. You’re walking around doing all these things in public while dressed in something weird. I don’t know if anyone knows this: when you’re wearing latex pants or leggings, you need to lube up your legs every time to be able to slide into this pair of pants.
**That’s hilarious. You used lube to get in that?**
Yeah, but it wasn’t me in the suit. We had a homie to come in and wear it, which was really tight. He was truly committed.
**What did the rose symbolize?**
That’s him trying to give his intentions to somebody else, and everyone rejecting him. When you’re least expecting it, it hits you like an 18-wheeler. That’s what we always saw for the bridge to be: this moment of clarity and this mood shift. He’s looking for another lover, or another friend at the least.
**Do you believe in true love?**
Sure, because what’s the point of living honestly?
**What role does TikTok play in your career?**
I’ve been timid with social media, but TikTok’s the most shameless, bizarre, randomized thing I’ve ever used. I absolutely adore it. The sense of humor is so niche and specific. The more authentic you are, the more it’s recognized. Gen Z is out here crying for everyone to see. It’s balls to the wall, I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s a great place to extend the reach of a tune like “Damn Bean.” It’s honestly been a more liberating platform to post on, because Instagram feels more intense and you’ve gotta be more curated. Facebook has all your family on it. TikTok’s for the current times, it’s impressive.
**What do you feel when you play the guitar?**
I feel at home. I feel comfortable, I feel at a loss of words for things. It’s a comfort to hold and that sense of discovery when you fix chords together and you get the voicing just right. It gives you hits of dopamine for that sense of discovery. It feels productive and comfortable. At first, you're wrapping your wrists around it and it’s highly awkward. Now it’s to a point where your body kind of cuddles the guitar.
**3 things you need in the studio?**
I’m going to bump it up to 4, but literally all you need is a MIDI controller, your laptop, an interface, and a guitar, and you’re straight. That’s assuming that all the cords are included.
**Goals yourself as an artist at this point of your career?**
There’s day-to-day, then there’s random. My goal’s to tour, see the world through music and connect with people by playing music. I adore people, their tenacity and their stories. It’s stranger than fiction. I’m excited about those new experiences, I hope to be like James Foley. After having enough success and financial security, all those memories, I get to retire in the woods alone. That’s the grand dream.
**What can you tell us about your new EP,** [‘Healthy Baby Boy, Part 1’](https://soundcloud.com/nicedotlife/sets/jr-hbbp1/s-ILCeTDzZ2WW) ?
It slaps. I definitely explored new sonics, it’s a hodgepodge of all different influences. I quickly get bored with something I’m listening to. _Healthy Baby Boy, Part 1_ is a really good development as far as my work production-wise, sonically, even lyrically. I’m going in the right direction, with a couple of the tunes especially. _Healthy Baby Boy_ is more reflective and a stream of consciousness, which was interesting. It’s Sufjan Stevens-inspired. I think it’s really good.
**Anything else you’d like to let us know?**
Yeah, tomatoes can grow on lemon trees. My TikTok is @swedishfishmafia69… that’s it.
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