Check Out Conrad Kisunzu’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Conrad Kisunzu.

Hi Conrad, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago in a small town called Cary, the son of two educators: a mother who grew up in the segregated South, and a father who left the Democratic Republic of Congo on his own in search of opportunity.

When I was young, my mother would take us each summer to my grandfather’s farm, nestled in rural Georgia. There, while listening to my elders share stories of laughter and resilience, I soaked in an atmosphere of faith, love and music.

My mother, a pianist and vocalist, was my first music teacher. We were always singing. At home, there was a record player, and in the cabinet was my parent’s collection of classical, gospel, r&b and soul vinyl mostly from the 70s and 80s. Each Sunday she would make us brunch, while I would sit in the living room listening closely to those records, whisked away by the sonics of Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Dionne Warwick, and Chopin.

By the time I was in high school, I was studying classical piano and oboe more seriously, and singing in a gospel group I had formed with my friends. Still, I had no intentions of becoming a professional musician. I attended college as a Materials Science and Engineering major, but always continued to perform, both in the orchestra and as a member of my a cappella group, Stanford Everyday People. The latter of which was extremely formative in helping me realize the power of artistic community, and that sharing music with others is something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

At that point in time, Soundcloud was really taking over, and I began to see a lot of my student peers self-releasing amazing music. When I saw that, there was something in my head that said, “You can do that too.” So I took my hand-me-down audio interface, a usb mic, and got to working on my first ever mixtape.

The unexpected happened the following summer, when I met my good friend and current bandmate, Shamik, at an R&D internship in Silicon Valley. Both musicians, we were on the same wavelength about the goal of sharing music with the world, and when I finished graduate school, we decided it was time to step back from our engineering careers and pursue that mission with all that we had.

So, we moved to Los Angeles, and formed our band, Jontha Links. What ensued was a torrid series of months, iterating our sound and breathing in as much music as possible. Quickly, a city that was once unfamiliar began to feel like home, and our two-bedroom Hollywood apartment began to feel like a lab. Except this time, we were tinkering trying to figure out just what we were capable of, and how to tell our story. We made any and everything in those early years, collaborated with our friends, and built a community, even throwing shows in our backyard. Not before long, as Jontha Links continued to grow, we were able to play more shows, this time in some of our favorite local venues and across the country.

Despite the redirection, I never gave up my love for STEM, and continue to actively work with pre-engineering students as a teacher, mentor and counselor, helping them grow towards their college and professional goals. Engaging younger generations is a calling I feel deeply, and I am blessed to continue to work in that capacity.

As for Jontha Links? We are now in the process of completing our next studio project, which we hope to be sharing more about very soon. There’s a lot to say on this record, and I can’t wait for people to hear it.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t know that there is such a thing as a smooth road. But I do find myself striving to appreciate the paths I’ve chosen, and where life has taken me. It’s like a law of the universe, “given a closed system, there may exist not only cases of good fortune.” Karmic balance, equilibrium, and so forth. That said, I’ve found that if you don’t define yourself in life or in music, someone else will. Protecting my voice and understanding the role of artistry in the modern age has been a growing challenge for me, accompanied by an even deeper conviction. As we enter an era where the people of this world will continue to rapidly redefine their relationship with art, I am working to maintain my own relationship with the craft, to stay connected with its humanity. Sometimes I do find myself contemplating the what-ifs, poring over each decision as though it will change who I am. In those moments, my autonomy serves as both a buoy and an anchor, steadying my journey.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a voice actor and songwriter, serving as lead vocalist for the alternative pop duo Jontha Links. This means that I’m primarily responsible for composing the band’s lyrics, while Shamik handles the majority of production. But naturally, we both wear many different creative hats throughout the process. We have released 3 EPs to date, as well as a series of singles across the years. I would say we’re most known for our dynamic live shows, often incorporating numerous musicians and visual elements to bring to life vivid orchestrations and arrangements. We’re also known for being one of the most widely soundtracked groups on YouTube and social media, amassing billions of micro-sync plays and featured by such media brands as Rolling Stone, GQ and Vogue. I find it a privilege to serve as the soundtrack of people’s lives, to share their world. Ultimately, I’m most proud of our commitment to evolving as artists. I never want to be closed off to growth, and I believe one thing that sets me apart is that I’m constantly seeking to learn and expand my view of conventionality to imagine what’s possible.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Animals make me happy. Birds especially. Every time I see one it’s a dopamine hit to my brain. I speak with them too. They’re like the musicians of the animal world, filling our daily lives with song and dance. How cool is that…? What I most enjoy is the pause that comes with taking in their concerts and ritual displays. Alone, with others. Moments of peace, moments of wonder.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jonthalinks.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conniedotk/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JonthaLinks
• Other: https://ffm.to/jontha-links-material-love

Image Credits
Sam Orlin
Sam Mandich