by brittany and everly ormiston
photo by david o'donahue
Mokita (AKA John-Luke Carter) is a Nashville-based producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who effortlessly pours his heart and soul into his art, and leaves listeners feeling whole and accepted. On the surface, Mokita’s alternative/indie sound has a clean vibe and instrumentals that will get stuck in your head all day long. Once diving into the lyricism, Mokita’s personable songwriting wraps you in a comforting embrace and diminishes feelings of desolation. Mokita’s recently released EP, Color Me In, appears to be his most transparent body of work to date. Sonically the tracks are uplifting in nature, and a great deal of self-reflection exudes throughout the lyrics. The title track emphasizes the importance of searching for wholeness within yourself, and in the world around you versus looking for meaning in everything. This sets the tone for the EP as a whole, and provides the opportunity for listeners to connect and reflect on their own lives.
Mokita collaborated with several artists who are also good friends on Color Me In, such as Bre Kennedy and Charlotte Sands. Since they all live in Nashville, he had the privilege of writing “Room For Another” and “Crash” in person with each of them. “Both of those collaborations were super fun and very organic. They happened naturally… There were no expectations with those songs. That always revives your creative spirit,” shares Mokita. Spontaneous collaborations are what Mokita enjoys the most, and he values the time spent with each artist. The artists he has befriended along the way, along with other close family and friends, have helped bring Color Me In to life. Mokita makes it a point to send music he is working on to those in his inner circle for their honest opinions. When his friends provide positive feedback, he is content with songs before they are released into the world. He typically does not have “any expectations with a release,” and is the case with this project as well. Mokita does not get wrapped up in the numbers, and as long as he is incredibly proud of the art he creates that is what matters.
A lot of Mokita’s songwriting takes place in retrospection, and looking back on what happened previously. In Color Me In, he speaks to his past struggles with mental health and addiction, and “figuring out what it looks like to live life to the fullest.” He never feels obligated to write about what he encountered prior to becoming sober three years ago. He wants to be as open as possible knowing that level of honesty can help so many others. Mokita’s songwriting has been a vital part of his healing process along with his faith, reading, and being active. He also emphasizes the importance of surrounding himself with a community of people, and avoiding self-isolation when his mental health is not the best. He advocates for therapy services and addiction programs further indicating his passion for mental health and a strong support system. By showing an incredible amount of bravery and sharing his story, Mokita has in turn created a community of his own filled with individuals who find inspiration in his music. His end goal for his music is to encourage listeners to start conversations about their own mental health and emotions. “I don’t feel like I am offering advice [with my music], but I am offering hope… A lot of times people bond through shared experiences,” Mokita states wholeheartedly.
Mokita has had meaningful conversations with fans on tour during the month of November. He supported indie/rock band and close friend, Augustana, at select dates across the country. “Intimate shows have always been my favorite to go to, and my favorite to play,” says Mokita with a twinkle in his eyes. These smaller shows have allowed him to make impactful connections with those in the crowd who may have gone through something similar to him, and can relate on a different level. Mokita will spark optimism and inspiration throughout each of the venues, and in the minds of many for years to come.