by mariah estran
photo by hanzo
Today, songwriter and producer Jono Dorr has released his new EP, The Unexamined Life Part 1. Over the years, Dorr has been the helping hand to notable artists such as The Neighbourhood and Hayley Kiyoko. But now, he’s put that same passion into this 6-track project.
While creating this EP, the soulful-pop artist didn’t force the story he wanted to tell. Instead, he took what was right in front of him, and gave appreciation to the emotions he would no longer ignore. In return, his openness is unmistakable in each song. As a collection, it pleasantly progresses from breezy rhythms to beautifully haunting chords that feel like the extraordinary unpredictability of the human sentiment.
In celebration of the EP release, we spoke with Jono Dorr on his growth in the music industry, his inspirations, what The Unexamined Life Part 1 means to him, and how it came to fruition.
Music has been a large part of your life since you were a child. You made it into a career. What pushed you to begin producing music for others?
Jono: “I started making music on computers in high school and when making beats turned into collaborating with my friends who rapped or sang, I was a producer all of the sudden. It just sort of happened before I could even think about what I was doing.”
When discussing your producing past, you’ve collaborated with artists such as Hayley Kiyoko and Kehlani. However, now, you’re releasing your own tracks. What made you shift directions and find the strength to do so?
J: “All these songs just poured out of me in a really effortless way and they felt like they belonged to me. As far as I can tell, songs or concepts that come about easily are often better than ones where you are frustratingly searching or forcing. So I just keep on doing it because it feels natural and aligned with who I am.”
You’ve released your EP, The Unexamined Life Part 1. Can you tell us how the creative process was when developing this project?
J: “I just make songs and then certain ones seem to organize themselves to each other sonically or conceptually. The Unexamined Life Part 1 marks the first time in my life that I knew for sure that my feelings mattered.”
The EP mixes soulful vocals with resonant pop sounds. What were some of your musical inspirations while creating this group of songs?
photo by hanzo
J: “I listen to mostly older music, from many different genres and many different eras. Every now and then I hear a new song or artist that I love, but mostly it's older stuff. I love truly great songs that make you feel butterflies or goosebumps or that make you cry, so the era or genre is irrelevant to me. With these songs I just did what I thought sounded best for each one.”
What song from the EP do you feel encapsulates what this project means to you and why?
J: “‘High Tide’ because I was weeping when I wrote it. Weeping from pain, but also from joy. It just felt so triumphant to be able to say those words out loud to myself.”
Like any artist, we have moments when we believe we should switch to a career that might feel more accepted. You had a time when you wanted to drop the music and become a lawyer. What helped you come back to music and realize that is where you needed to be?
J: “It was right after I graduated college. I just felt called and that was that. My intuition always yells at me and I've ignored it many, many times, but occasionally I'm smart enough to listen.”
Lastly, what is next after this EP? Will there be a full-length album, or can we expect more singles?
J: “More singles and another project. I have a lot of music I want to put out! Thanks for the thoughtful questions!”