13 November 2023
Every Monday I will be bringing you an interview with an independent band, duo or music artist. This week, I caught up with Surrey based artist Jon Hart to find out more…
Where are you from and how did you first get into music?
I was born in Oxford, grew up on the Isle of Wight and now live in Surrey. I started playing Piano at 5, Guitar at 8 and singing from 12.
Who were your musical influences when you were growing up and who are your influences now?
Pink Floyd, Sting, Led Zeppelin.
How would you describe your sound?
Fingerstyle Singer-songwriter – a one man acoustic sound without looping, backing tracks or a band. A blend of folk, rock and blues.
What is your latest release called and what was the influence behind it?
Latest release is Neurodivergent.
Audio: https://on.soundcloud.com/k28AC
Video: https://youtu.be/s5vqsTGKU1g
BACKSTORY
This is the first single from my 6th album ‘Neurodivergent’, due out in 2024. This title track was born after going through a mental health crisis in late 2021 and then being told ADHD and ASD were on the cards during an assessment. I already have dyslexia and didn’t know much about the other conditions. I then went through a process of awareness, education, conversion, and acceptance after receiving an official diagnosis in 2023.
Everything is subjective. But the progressive fingerstyle blues folk vibe was my only way to depict the journey from unaware to aware, from undiagnosed to diagnosed and more. It’s an emotional rollercoaster for all – especially for those with late diagnosis after years of masking and thinking something’s not right. That’s why A.I. was the only way I could represent this journey and what having a neurodivergent brain feels like on a minute-by-minute basis.
My goal is to spread awareness and build a safe space for all neurodivergents to be able to unmask and be themselves in this neurotypical world. We’re surrounded by stigma telling us it’s either not real, ‘Oh I have a bit of that’, ‘it’s just a trend’ or companies have made it up to just sell meds. None of it’s true.
LYRICS
Wired differently
With sparks they cannot see
Please accept me as I am
Neurodivergent
I’m lost with this mask
So plug in ND brain
In this NT game
Please accept me as I am
Neurodivergent
I’m lost with this mask
So pull it off and find
I’m a different kind
Authenticity
Is a part of me
I need to fled, I need release
I’m hyper-fixed on building bricks
With RSD and time can’t see
Impulsive marks, a sea of tasks
I made mistakes but please embrace
My strengths, not flaws. Seek peace not wars
I’m tired and distressed
I’m anxious and a mess
Please accept me as I am
Neurodivergent
I’m lost with this mask
So pull it off and find
I’m a different kind
Authenticity
Is a part of me
What’s your local music scene like?
Reigate is probably the best music scene around me. It’s growing. Croydon isn’t too far and that has a good music scene.
What do you have planned for the next 12 months?
I plan to release the 6th album ‘Neurodivergent’ (jonhartmusic.com/neurodivergent) based on my experiences / symptoms, a second stint of my Neurodivergent Musician podcast (jonhartmusic.com/podcast) and I hope to take The Neurodivergent Musician out on tour where I will be a musician/speaker.
Is there anyone you’d love to collaborate with?
Ren and Jon Gomm.
Any funny stories surrounding your live performances?
I’ve had experiences falling off stage, travelling in the back of transit van (with the gear and no windows and seats in the pitch black), having to sit in a salon for 3 hours colouring my hair white with black tips for a rock band.
What is the one thing that you want readers to know about you?
My music is about spreading awareness for neurodiversity and mental health. Check out my cover of Money by Pink Floyd to get a real taste of my sound.
You can find out more about Jon on his website or via Apple Music, Bandcamp, Facebook, Instagram, Linktree, SoundCloud, Spotify, Threads, TikTok, X (Twitter)or YouTube.
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