Something you will always catch us supporting is artists after being in a band embarking on their solo journeys, and that’s where Jonah Marais comes in! One listen to Jonah’s EP, The Jonah Marais Mixtape, and you’ll see that Jonah has come into his own so much, just with this first project, that it makes it clear he’s on the exact track he’s supposed to be on.
We were lucky enough to get to chat with Jonah Marias about new music, his tour, and much more! We hope you enjoy!
Stream The Jonah Marais Mixtape here!
Get tickets to see Jonah on the road here!
Hi Jonah! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat! To start us off, how would you describe the music you are making to someone who is tuning in for the first time
Hey, thanks for having me! I’d say my music is a blend of heartfelt lyrics and melodies that make you feel something real. It’s got elements of pop, with some different eras and vibes mixed in. I’m really focused on telling my story and connecting with people on a deeper level through the music.
As we are writing these questions, you start your tour tonight in Seattle! How have you been feeling leading up to these shows? What have you been most looking forward to about being back on the road?
I’ve been feeling all kinds of emotions—excited, nervous, but mostly just grateful. Being back on the road is something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. There’s nothing like performing live and feeling that energy from the crowd. I’m most looking forward to connecting with everyone again, sharing new music, and creating some memories.
And speaking of Seattle, Washington has played a huge part in your journey as a solo artist, with a lot of creating going on there. What has it been about that place that has allowed you to be able to create in the way you’d like?
Seattle has meant so much to me in my journey as a solo artist. There’s something about that place that just clicks creatively for me. I’ve had the incredible opportunity to work with Ryan Lewis and Jason Koenig, both of whom are from Seattle, which has been an absolute dream. We created the whole project at Ryan’s studio a couple hours east of Seattle, near Leavenworth, and that environment really allowed me to tap into the vibe I was looking for.
Beyond that, I have a lot of ties to Seattle. I spent some amazing times in the city with my ex-girlfriend, and those memories have definitely left a lasting impact on me. All of this has made Seattle more than just a place to create—it’s become a part of my story. Also my manager Sherry lives in Seattle so i stay with her when I’m in the city!!!
You released ‘The Jonah Marais Mixtape’ back in June. What was it like seeing the fan response? Were there nerves going into releasing your first solo EP post being in a band?
The fan response was amazing, honestly. Seeing how people connected with the songs and hearing their stories was everything I hoped for and more. Of course, there were nerves—this was my first solo project after being in a band for so long, so it felt like a big leap. But those nerves turned into motivation to create something that truly represents where I’m at now.
And speaking of Why Don’t We, when you’re crafting these new tracks, do you find there is anything you learned from creating music for a group that you had to unlearn in order to make the most authentic solo music?
Definitely. In a band, there’s a lot of collaboration, and you’re always thinking about how the music fits together for everyone. Going solo, I had to shift my mindset to focus more on my own voice and story. It was a learning process, but it’s been freeing to create music that’s entirely me. I think I had to unlearn some of those habits and really trust my instincts as a solo artist.
When crafting the setlist for tour, what music is on the table? Is it all new solo music? Covers? Are we going to be seeing early Jonah music like ‘War Paint’ making a cameo?
It’s going to be a mix! There’ll definitely be a lot of the new solo music because I’m so excited to share that with everyone live. But I’m also planning to throw in some older tracks like ‘War Paint,’ and ‘8 Letters,’ it’s fun to revisit those songs and give them new life on stage. And who knows, there might be a few surprises along the way!
With The Jonah Marais Mixtape, are we looking at potential pieces of a bigger project? Or is this a stand-alone EP?
The mixtape is definitely a piece of a bigger picture. I see it as a stepping stone to what’s coming next. There’s more music in the works, and I’m excited to see how everything unfolds. But for now, I’m just enjoying this chapter and how it’s resonating with the fans.
When crafting this EP, was there a song that you knew was going to become a fan favorite?
There were a few songs I felt really good about, but one in particular stood out—‘Twisted Lullaby.’ As soon as we finished that track, I knew it had something special. The message, the vibe—it just felt like one that people would connect with, and it’s been amazing to see that happen.
Once again, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! Before we let you go, what can fans look forward to as we close out 2024?
Thank you! Fans can look forward to more new music, more shows, and some exciting projects that I’ve been working on behind the scenes. I’m really focused on creating experiences that bring people together, so keep an eye out for what’s next. Thank you guys for your support!
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We would love to hear from you! What is your favorite song off of The Jonah Marais Mixtape? Let us know by commenting down below or by tweeting us @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!
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