An Interview With Social Media Star And New Recording Artist, CODY JOHNS!

On June 8th, the breakout recording artist and social media star, Cody Johns premiered “There You Are.” It is the first single off his highly-anticipated EP with an edgy new
video: https://youtu.be/ZmdnlS-CVpk.

“It was important to me that I release music that not only inspires my fans, but also shows my growth as an artist and director,” said Cody Johns. “We wanted the video to really juxtapose the viewer’s feelings when they watch it, and give phantom messages that ultimately tell the story of wanting to be with the person you love.”

Johns began his career as a social media pioneer having reached more than 6-million followers
across all platforms and appearing as an actor on Hulu’s Dimension 404, HeyUSA X and many
more. Having been raised in the church though, he developed his first love – music – and fine-tuned
his skills for playing guitar, keyboards, singing and songwriting.

After having success both as an influencer and tech entrepreneur, he decided in 2017 to fully pursue music with the premiere of his debut single, “There You Are” (available on all platforms now). Often described as catchy and metaphoric, Johns’ sound blends Pop, Soul and Rock seamlessly, as he takes music lovers on a journey with his first EP project set to release later this year. The music video was directed by Fraser Precious and shot by Parker Foster of Visual SZN. The single was produced by Wake the Wild.

“There You Are” is available on all platforms NOW!

http://smarturl.it/codyjohns
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/there-you-are-single/id1243062742
Apple Music: http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1243062742
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/4SYIQxcWWgan6Wdp5OvOdj
Tidal: https://tidal.com/track/74590809

For the latest information on Cody Johns, follow on social media:
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/codyjohnsUSA
VINE: https://vine.co/codyjohns

Learn more about Cody Johns in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! What are some words you would use to describe 2016 for you and your music? How has 2017 been treating you? 

Thanks for this opportunity! 2016 was very much a prep year for what has recently unfold for me with the music. It was hitting the studio and working with writers and producers and really just gaining knowledge and a learned experience of how all this works. I love learning about the music industry almost as much as I love making the music. 2017 has been incredible. It’s been a great year for my wife and I with work and opportunities, and this recent release has made it even better.

Where does this interview find you today? Is there music playing in the background? If so, what is it? What kind of music do you listen to when you are working? What music gets you instantly out of a bad mood?

I am sitting on my couch, shirtless – which is normal for me for around the house. No music in the background, but my wife Lexy is doing some vacuuming after the party she and my family and best friends surprised me with last night. I didn’t plan any special release party but I came home to a surprise and everyone I loved was there. It was amazing.

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory? How did your very artistic parents influence you and your music passion?

Music was all around me growing up. My parents never forced it on us, but there were always a keyboard and a guitar lying around. Growing up, my parents were smart for implementing ‘TV Day’s’. We could watch T.V. all day 3 times a week if we wanted, but on those off days, we had to find something creative to do. That’s where I would venture to the piano or plink on the guitar. One of the earliest memories was probably my dad playing guitar and singing to us each night before we went to bed. His ability to play inspired me to be able to as well. My grandfather was the talented musician in our family. He had a sinatra-style voice with incredible skills on guitar and piano. He was the church musical director for many years back when. He is where I get the music chops from I think.

If you weren’t a musician today, what else could you see yourself doing? Or could you really not see yourself doing anything else?

If I wasn’t a musician I would probably be in entertainment in some type of way. I’ve wanted to since I was very young. It’s a hard choice to make between music and acting. I go through seasons in life of what I love doing more. And in this season, it’s music.

I always like to ask artists about where they came from and have that city or town has influenced them as an artist now. So how do you think growing up in Florida has shaped who you are as a musician and the kind of music that you create?

Every time I go home, is when I feel like I write the most personal songs. I think it has to do with my surroundings. In the house I grew up in, we have a closed-in garage that my family turned into a big music room. As we grew older, music became a bigger passion for my siblings and I. My brother’s drum set, the keyboard and all the guitars finally all had a place to live. In that very room is where my brother and sister would have jam sessions, just the 3 of us. These are my parents favorite moments. Growing up with my siblings all playing music together really honed my skills in being able to sing and accompany on piano, while keeping to a beat. So whenever I go home, I am inspired by my dreams as a kid, wanting to have a jam session but in front of thousands of people. But until that happened, I just pretended I was in my garage.

Let’s talk about your newest song just released called “There You Are.” Where did the inspiration for this single come from? How do usually go about putting a song together?

There You Are was actually the first song I ever wrote for this project. The song is inspired by a long distance relationship I had with my wife before we were married. It was the most difficult time in my life. I moved out to LA with nothing after graduating college. My wife had 2 more years to go, and I decided to head out west to get moving on my dream. I’m humbled by that experience, so I decided to pay homage to it by writing a song inspired by it.

How do you think “There You Are” prepares your fans for the rest of your EP due out later year?

I think There You Are establishes a sound and writing style that I am comfortable with. It’s sort of a blend of a few genres that I am happy with and proud of, most importantly. But, I am extremely lucky to have fans that support me either way. I think there are going to be other records that fans will love even more than ‘There You Are’.

I’m curious to know if you remember the very first video that you ever shared on social media? How do you think that your subject matter and really the content in general has grown and changed over the years?

I’ve been on social media for many years now posting several different types of content, so it may be hard to remember. But, I actually had a Twitter account shortly after the service came out. I remember loving it, and tweeting often, sort of narrating my life. But, then of course I began to post photos and eventually video. But all these types of content sharing were all sort of unfolding in those early years so it was very much a new territory.

What ultimately got you to decide to commit fully to your music career? Has anything surprised you yet about this business and the process to make music?

A combination of a few things. My grandfather passing was one of them. He was my musical inspiration. He had an opportunity to pursue music full-time as a young man, but ending up not doing it to focus on his faith. I feel like he had to choose between one or the other. So in a way I feel like I am carrying his legacy. It really just made me realize how we only have one life, so you have to follow your dreams and passions. I also realized that I can be a spiritual person, and keep my faith while navigating through this business.

Who are some of your very favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? What musicians would you absolutely love to work with in the future? 

I am very inspired by the Beach Boys and that sound. My dad use to play their songs for my when I was young, and a bunch of other 50’s and 60’s hits. It made me fall in love with the high – falsetto vocal, which I implement into my songs. As far as modern day musician – Robin Thicke, Justin Timberlake. I really look up to musicians that are able to sing and play instruments.

What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people continue to take away from your songs?

I want my music to be a safe place for people. I want to write music that is meaningful, but fun and catchy. I feel like that’s what music is for. Lifting our spirits, and something to sing along to. Every song I do has a story or inspiration behind it.