INTERVIEW | Vincent John Releases His Single 'Shiny Car'

Lee Fields, Nicole Wray, Aaradhna – Vincent John has performed and/or composed with all three artists. And he just released a new single, called "Shiny Car." The song is from John's Tangerine EP, which he is dropping one single at a time. After the last one drops, the songs will be assembled into the Tangerine EP, followed by a tour.

Tangerine follows John's 2016 breakthrough EP, Never Go Back, which garnered heavy praise from Billboard and Impose. And with good reason, for his sound combines stylish pop melodies, buff rhythms, and polished elegant harmonics into smooth, contagious music.

Popdust had the opportunity to yak with him about his equipment, his influences, and his songwriting process, as well as what's next on the horizon.

How would you describe yourself?

I am a forward-thinking music producer and songwriter, channeling the sounds of 70s-80s classic pop and R&B with modern vocal styling.

What's your backstory?

I grew up playing music at a young age in public school. It was always what I was most passionate about. At a certain point, I found myself focused on the songwriting aspect of music. That led me to NYC, where I met Truth & Soul Records, who championed me as a songwriter and, later, as a touring musician for Lee Fields & The Expressions. I've since worked on many records with them, as a songwriter and musician in addition to songwriting work in LA and NYC, both in the Pop and Indie worlds. Finally, I branched out on my own, with this project, and in 2016 with the release of debut Never Go Back.

What's your favorite song to belt out in the car or the shower?

Right now I only have two CDs in my car. One is an Italian soundtrack from the 1960s called Il Corpo by legendary composer Piero Umiliani and the other is a reggae record, Alberto Matondo - Pitshu 2, a friend, Victor Rice produced. He gave it to me when I was visiting him in Sao Paulo.

What kind of gear do you play?

I've become pretty synth-obsessed the past few years. On Tangerine you can hear DSI Prophet 08, Roland Juno Alpha, Crumar Performer, Moog Little Phatty, Casiotone 401, Korg Delta, DX7, just to name a few. Lots of Linn Drum and Rhythm Ace as well as Arturia Drum Brute (drum machines). For guitar, I play a 1960 Harmony/Silvertone H1429 as well as a Stratocaster.

What musicians influenced you the most?

Marvin Gaye. Favorite singer and artist of all time. Though our styles are different, his vocal arrangements and the use of the voice are always so perfect. I love that he used his voice not only as the lead but layered as an instrument becoming a major 'feel' element of every track.

How, if at all, do your musical influences shape and impact your music?

There's a direct correlation with my recordings to my personal influences. I'm not trying to regurgitate anything, though. When people hear my records there's something familiar about it to them, because they're melody and song-obsessed, but they can't quite put their finger on what it reminds them of. I think that's good because, at the end of the day, I'd like to use what I have to make something that feels new.

How would you describe your style of music?

Funky, melodic, rhythmic, and fresh.

Where do you find inspiration for your songs?

Lyrical topics span from personal experiences and relationships to escapism – the idea of breaking away from the monotony of everyday life through music is why I think it's such a powerful art form.

What is your songwriting process? Do the lyrics come first, or the music?

Music comes first 9-times-out-of-10. Melody comes simultaneously to the music or thereafter. The lyric writing process is last. I'm a big Rod Temperton fan. He was one of the best pop writers ever. I've always got his vibe on my mind.

I really like your new single, "Shiny Car." How did it come about?

Thank you! "Shiny Car" is a case in point to your previous question. I composed the whole instrumental (without guitar) before the lyrics were written. One of my collaborators, Max Perla, came up with some lyrics after hearing the instrumental. We then collaborated to finish the record. The concept came from an episode of Mad Men, in which the main character is outrunning his problems, driving cross-country through the night. "Whither goest thou, America, in thy shiny car in the night?" – which is from On The Road by Jack Kerouac.

Any plans for either an EP or full-length album in the near future?

I have an EP already written and partially recorded for release in 2019. I'm super excited to get to that as soon as Tangerine is fully released.

Will you be touring soon?

Yes. We're currently booking dates for NYC, LA, San Fran and Philadelphia (my hometown). Stay tuned!

Follow Vincent John on his website, Facebook, and SoundCloud.

Randy Radic is a Left Coast author and writer. Author of numerous true crime books written under the pen-name of John Lee Brook. Former music contributor at Huff Post.