Today we’d like to introduce you to JonJon Blunden.
JonJon, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I still remember it vividly, I was watching Vh1 reruns with my parents. We tuned in during Jimi Hendrix playing his iconic version of the national anthem. I was mesmerized by the sounds he was pulling out of his guitar.
From that moment on, I was obsessed with music, guitars, basically anything audio related.
Of course, after seeing that performance, I got into all the classic rock n’ roll. I spent so much time discovering your stereotypical shred music, weird stuff like Buckethead, and classical (because my grandpa wouldn’t stop asking me if I knew about Eine Kleine Nachtmusik).
I guess you could say it’s a fairly cliche start.
My obsession with all things music has grown as the years have gone by.
I attended CalArts for my undergrad. I studied a BFA in Guitar Performance and focused on compositional techniques.
From there I wanted to round out my education and I attended the California State University of Northridge, for an MFA in Music Industry Administration. It essentially is a business degree focused on the music entertainment industry.
I currently work in an awesome music software company called Polyverse Music. Additionally, I am writing and producing many other musical projects.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I am a performer composer. As I mentioned, I got my start playing guitar, but as the years have gone by, I just consider that a part of what I do.
It’s really difficult for me to commit to picking a genre or specific thing that I do that defines me in relation to music. I love it all and have dedicated my life to learning all facets of it. (Or at least try to!)
In personal and professional contexts, I am comfortable songwriting/composition, engineering, producing, mixing you name it.
When I compose often have a visual representation of what that song is about in my head, particularly for instrumental pieces. I want the song itself to lead listeners on an aural journey without any coercing or explanation.
A large source of inspiration for me derives from other musical cultures. My favorite part about making music is being able to recontextualize ideas that I’ve heard from other places into my own art. That could be rhythms, timbres, moods, harmonic ideas, anything really. This idea has always fascinated me because where two people might have had the same influences, the end result of their works can be entirely different. This to me is the essence of art in general, it is a continuum of ideas that we all pull from, but through our own life experience, these ideas are filtered. This reveals our own artistic expression. This is why music is so cool, there are so many damn songs that sound the same. Yet they all have something to say. (mostly)
What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
I don’t think that our role has ever changed, only evolved.
There are now different categories of artists that fill different roles. There’s always been a mainstream, and counter-culture. There’s always been a spectrum of art that is like a color-wheel. It cycles around and bleeds into itself. What begins as a small anti-(literally anything) becomes mainstream and is adopted by a majority. This cycle will continue for anything and everything.
With all the modern mediums of art and entertainment, I feel we continue to develop more nuanced sub-categories and genre.
Art for me is a spectrum of escapism and realism. I tend to err on the side of escapism to allow my self to not think about national events and issues. I don’t want my art to be a vehicle for these topics, I want what I create to be an escape for myself and those who choose to listen. There are many others whose views and messages translate better when influenced by realism.
I like things that make me laugh, or make me think of the “what ifs”.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Lately, I’ve been trying to be more visible. I’m used to being the ‘behind the scenes’ guy, but that is changing.
Hopefully, you will hear some of my music on TV soon!
I’m working on some projects for a music production library and just recently had some music cleared.
In the mean-time, you can watch some videos my friend Mike and I have been working on.
We started a project called DogTooth Productions.
Find us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
If anyone is interested in collaborating they can shoot us an email.
There’s a lot of other awesome things under the radar that are in the works. I think it’s better they are completed before announcing.
Contact Info:
- Email: dogtoothproductions1@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogtoothproductions/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DogtoothProductions/
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjrOvtOA-u2UteEVAK4Qtg
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