FEATURED ARTIST: ELI JONATHAN
Eli Jonathan
Eli Jonathan is an artist/producer from Seattle, WA. His musical career spans over many bands, genres, and areas across the Pacific Northwest. Eli developed his solo sound back in 2019 with his debut EP, Kennedy, and has been releasing music since. With his second EP Princeton out now, we took some time to get to know this up and coming artist.
BEFORE WE JUMP IN, HERE’S A QUICK REVIEW OF ELI’S NEW EP:
Written, produced, and performed by Eli Jonathan, his second EP entitled Princeton takes a deeper look into his musical style. Beginning with Only Us, a feel good modern day pop song that combines sounds reminiscent of 80’s synth pop with his vocals layered that give it that extra push to create the perfect intro. Throughout the EP you hear the influences of early The 1975 (Glowing, They Want To See Young Love) while Eli continues to prove his vocal and writing capabilities throughout the EP. Of course you can’t talk about his music and not talk about the production. Eli does something not many people can do with basically creating music by himself and doing a damn good job at it by providing a good mixture of live instruments and synth sounds to back it up. Paired with amazing vocals and heartfelt lyrics, Princeton is the perfect EP for summer. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Eli performing these songs at a summer festival - Coachella maybe? - and everybody falling in love with both him and the music.
BACK TO YOUR REGUARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAM:
Recently, we tuned into a live concert (on YouTube) called “The Social Disantancing Sessions.” Obviously, with quarentine being a thing and concert being non-existant, the need to hear live music is BIG and that’s where having a live-streamed concert came from. Eli Jonathan was the first person to perform and to say blown away would be an understatement (if you want to watch his set we got you). Fortunately, Eli took some time to answer some questions about his new music, influences, and what he’s been up to since quarentine hit.
AC: First of all, thank you for taking the time to do this. We’re living in some weird times but what are some things you’ve been doing to pass the time?
ELI: Of course! I’m always very happy to be a part!
The very first thing I started through quarantine, along with some close friends (shout outs to Spencer Rex and Gemma Cross) was a livestream project we’ve been calling the "Social Distancing Sessions". We wanted to give artists that were desperate without shows another avenue to perform for people. We three were absolutely desperate in the same way for anything to work on. So far it's been a reasonable success! Not to mention super exciting getting to work with artists live-streaming with us from all over the U.S.
At the end of the day I’ve been incessantly checking in on everyone who’s been developing their own creative projects, both in my closer circle and in the big art industries. It inspires me to see people hopeful and excited in the midst of it all.
Along with that I’ve been throwing myself into making and playing music loudly around me as much as I can. Really been trying to make the most of the down time despite the collective anxiety throughout the world right now. That’s definitely manifested itself more immediately as the EP “Princeton” which will have released May 8th!
AC: For those who may not have heard of your music, how would you describe yourself and the music you create?
ELI: On surface level, the music and make and I are very excited and lively. I’ve fallen in love with giant pop hits from a few different eras and I always hope to make something that excites me just as much as those do.
Digging a little deeper I believe everything I make is, on some level, inspired by playing live music and the huge experiences that it can create. It helps me constantly look at my music and other projects in the big picture.
I’ve been writing songs and playing shows since I was growing up and I’ve obsessed over a lot of styles and genres in that time. The music I make now changed things for me because I identify with it so heavily. Theres a lot of dynamic differences from very loud to very quiet in pieces I write. I feel sentimental towards that contrast and its a big reason why I started producing music on my own a couple years back.
AC: Your debut EP, Kennedy, was released back in 2019 – what was something unexpected that you learned from that writing process that you’ve brought into your newer/upcoming music?
ELI: I like to believe I’m always pushing myself towards writing as personally as possible. I’m always looking to change up my writing process to make that my clearest goal. However, I’ve written music extensively in the past holding very tight to only my own individual expression. On Kennedy It was unexpected just how connected to a song I would feel when there was the slightest collaboration on it with my friends and artists close to me. My relationships with people are what I keep closest to me and involving them in my music has really helped me showcase who I am.
AC: A lot of artists come to mind when listening to your songs – who are some artists that you’ve been inspired by?
ELI: COIN is a band I’ve adored for years. Musically they always feel so familiar to me and so impressively confident at the same time. Everything they put out reminds me how influential I find them, like a music equivalent of an older sibling. I’m always hoping to interact with them and always aiming to impress!
Charli XCX has been an eye opener for me by taking pop music to such a giant extent like she does. Her music is massive and its so beautiful. On a grander scheme her work has also been a key part of convincing me to chase some sounds and styles that excite me even if I’d have found them “experimental" for my own music.
The 1975 will likely always remain one of my biggest inspirations if for no reason but that they inspire with so many parts of their image, from live lighting backdrops to music videos and each new release. To say nothings specific of their music which I could talk about for multiple articles. They’re highly influential to me and to many artists I know and love.
AC: With 2020 off to a crazy start, what’s one goal you hope to achieve by the end of the year?
ELI: When 2020 started I wanted to be a part of as many live shows and tours as I could be. I wanted to see artists I’d never seen in in places I'd never been. Thats for sure still a goal, even if it doesn’t happen this year. Over the last few months the goal has changed to spending time with friends and family I’ve been missing. Some of them are a few states away at least and some are a lot closer but still locked down. In addition to that, I genuinely enjoy crowds and I’d be ecstatic to see even one show with one crowd by the end of the year.
AC: What’s one lyric from your discography that’s stuck with you the most?
ELI: I write a lot of my music out of an obsession I have with titles. I love the concept of song titles and statements in music; the pieces that are really intended to stick with you. The first line I wrote of “Change!”: “I’m designed to be held onto.” I sing at the end of every chorus. It’s about discovering what you really need and I loved how it sounded every time I performed it. It might be how heavily it explains and sums up a lot of the other lyrics but its meaning to me continues to get deeper the longer it's been released.
AC: If you could travel to any era of music and perform, which era would you choose?
ELI: Definitely considering the MTV era! My fascination with the visual accompaniment to music has only grown in the last couple of years and I’m so interested in how videos changed the entire recording and performance culture. I think the iconic quality of videos out of the 80s, MTV scene retain a level of cultural appreciation that can supersede the music itself!
AC: Is there anything specific you hope fans take away from your music?
ELI: My passion in every avenue of art is creating experiences for people. Events and live shows especially. I really always hope for the big moments to be something they take away from being involved. I hope to leave people with big memories. I also hope people take away that I’m crazy about the art that other people have made. At the end of the day, if I can inspire people to create their own experiences, like other artists have done for me, I'll be very pleased.
AC: Any last thoughts?
ELI: A really big thank you to anyone that listens and anyone that reads this! Another big thank you to you guys at Amity Collection. My EP Princeton will have been out on May 8th. Keep checking in too. There is a lot from me and people I love on it’s way!