The Art of Authenticity: Jonny Quatro

Jonny Quatro’s debut album, “Jonny Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” marks a new chapter in his music career. I caught up with him to talk about his inspiration, songwriting process, and more.

Mana:

Massive congrats on your debut album! Can you tell me what sparked the idea for the title ‘Jonny Doesn’t Live Here Anymore’, and how does it reflect the emotional journey and ideas explored in your latest work?

Jonny:

Thank you! Yes, I spent all of my life in Rochester, NY, just working a job and sitting on my dreams, because it was comfortable. Reaching for my musical dreams and goals required some pretty big changes to myself and my surroundings, so I moved away from everything and everyone I knew and wound up in Charleston, SC, a little over a year ago. It was there that I wrote this album and made my dreams a reality. In the beginning of any journey, most of the people watching you are the people you know, who are used to seeing you a certain way, so I got a lot of criticism and questions and “you’ve changed” or “what happened to you” type of comments. In my mind, I boiled all the questions down into one: “Whatever happened to Jonny Quatro, where is he?” And the response was simple: “Jonny Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

Mana:

Can you share any memorable experiences or challenges you faced while creating and producing your new album?

Jonny:

Completely rewriting “take our time” while driving to the studio to record it was pretty memorable, taking it in a different direction at the last minute. It’s always exciting to see what happens to a song during studio sessions. I always show up with a fully written song, but at some point there’s this “aha!” moment where you put your finger on something that takes the song to the next level, and I don’t leave until I find that “aha!” moment.

Mana:

John Mayer’s music has undoubtedly inspired a generation of artists. How has his music influenced your approach to songwriting, and are there any specific techniques or elements you’ve incorporated into your own music?

Jonny:

He’s such an inspiration to me, and he actually liked one of my Instagram posts of me in the studio working on “Love Me Just A Little Bit” which was surreal! I can’t lie, I cried tears of joy, that man is such a musical hero of mine. His influence on me is in his use of what I call “sudden specificity” which is when you have a song with pretty accessible and relatable lyrics but suddenly throw in a line that’s super specific and ONLY accessible and relatable to you personally as the writer. In his song “Shot In The Dark” he says “I want you in the worst way” which is very relatable, but then he follows it up with “is the gate code still your birthday?” which is specific only to him. I do that a lot in my writing as well, one example is in “And I Found Another” which is a relatable song about moving on from a past lover, but I threw in the line “should’ve stayed home and never made all those little trips to Georgia” which is a specific reference to a specific relationship in my life. “Sudden specificity” lends a vulnerability and honesty to keep the song from being pandering or generic, and helps the audience get to know the artist.

Mana:

Which song in this collection forced you to dig deepest emotionally or stretch your creative boundaries? What was the most intense part of writing it, and how did you find fulfillment in the process?

Jonny:

“Fire Fighting” was so emotional to write because it’s kind of a desperate prayer and required a level of naked honesty that was a little scary, especially as a new artist, because you worry about what the people you know are going to think. Plus the recording and production of it was fraught with issues and drama. I’m happy with how it turned out, but that one definitely kept me up at nights. “Ipanema Girl” was the most challenging to write because it’s not a style I’m used to, but I had a blast with it, and I love it so much because it was so rewarding to try something new and actually pull it off. It’s so damn playful, I love it!

Mana:

If you could collaborate with any artist or band from any genre, past or present, who would it be and why?

Jonny:

Frank Sinatra. He’s my favorite artist of all time and no one knows how to interpret lyrics the way he did. He was more than a singer, he was a storyteller. I’d love to work with him, but he won’t return any of my calls. Stephen Sondheim would’ve been awesome to collab with, just to learn his mastery of unique intervals and leitmotifs. Currently, I’d love to collab with John Mayer, Jon Foreman, and Madison Cunningham, I think they’re the best songwriters in music right now and I’d be thrilled to write and record with them!

Mana:

Are there any films, paintings, or other visual artworks that have inspired your music or aesthetic for this album?

Jonny:

I always like to think that there’s a little bit of “It’s A Wonderful Life” in everything I do, it’s my favorite movie and a great perspective on life.

Mana:

What’s it like being part of the close-knit music community in Charleston, SC? How have your fellow musicians and fans inspired and supported you along the way?

Jonny:

At this stage of my career, I’m more into the process of making and releasing music, rather than performing it live. Thanks to the internet, I work with a variety of producers and musicians around the world, so I wouldn’t say I’ve gotten super into the local live music scene just yet, but I’ve met some wonderful people who have helped me with my studio music and I’m super grateful and excited to grow into the live scene eventually.

Mana:

How has your music evolved as you’ve grown and learned more about yourself and the world around you?

Jonny:

I’ve become less afraid to embarrass myself. A song is a representation of how I felt in the moment that I wrote it, it’s a monument to a specific emotion or memory. I realized that means I don’t have to be afraid of always being defined by what I wrote in a particular song, because everyone changes, so I can be as vulnerable and brazenly honest as I want in my lyrics. If I change my mind or my feelings on something that I’ve written, that song becomes an interesting marker of my journey through life. It’s ok to change, and let the music change with you. So if I feel something in a moment, I don’t stop myself from writing it just because I might feel differently later.

Mana:

Are there any unreleased songs or demos that didn’t make it onto this album, and might we hear them in the future?

Jonny:

Definitely! Some songs just didn’t quite click and I’m still searching for that “aha!” moment I mentioned earlier. Others are ready to go but will be featured on my second album. I release one new song per month, so if you follow me you’ll eventually hear them all!

Mana:

What lasting impression do you envision your album leaving on its listeners, and how do you hope it will stay with them long after the music ends?

Jonny:

I hope it makes them smile and dance! This is largely an upbeat pop record, so I hope it puts people in a good mood and sticks in their head when they need a boost of good vibes. For those who dig deeper into the lyrics and themes of change, I hope they’ll feel seen and feel encouraged to chase their dreams and embrace change too! You don’t have to live your life the way your parents did if you don’t want to!

Mana:

What exciting plans do you have to share for this album with your fans in a live setting, and how are you looking forward to breathing new life into the album’s songs on stage?

Jonny:

This album will be an absolute PARTY on stage, so I’m excited to eventually produce and stage a tour someday! It takes a lot of money and time that I don’t have at the moment, so right now the priority is writing and releasing music, but if enough fans demand it, I’ll start the process of mapping a tour.

I’d like to extend my gratitude to Jonny Quatro for sharing his unique perspective and artistic passion with me. Be sure to follow him on social media @JonnyQuatroMusic to stay up-to-date on Jonny’s latest upcoming performances and new releases.

This interview is a collaborative effort between myself, Mana W Rothstein, musician Jonny Quatro, and the supportive staff at CHU Sainte-Justine. I would like to thank everyone involved for their invaluable support and assistance in making this interview a reality.