This time, we get to know Jonathan Panetta whose track "Stop and Think Now" is featured in the New Artist Spotlight Family of Playlists.
Link To New Artist Spotlight Playlists:
𝟭. Where are you from and what are your hobbies?
I am from Markham Ontario Canada. My hobbies include recording, writing, and performing music both by myself and with my band The Madd Mutts. Outside of music I love spending time with friends and family and recently started my career as a Child and Youth Worker.
𝟮. How did your get into music?
I have two older siblings that were into music and inspired me to get into it. I have been singing since I was about 6 years old, playing the drums since I was 14, and guitar since 17. I am now 21 years old and I am so grateful to where my career as a musician has taken me thus far. I have recently released my first solo full length album, and will also be releasing my first EP with The Madd Mutts sometime soon. My early years of childhood I didn't know a lot of other musicians until about high school. If my younger self knew where I would be in 2021 I think he would be pretty ecstatic too!
𝟯. Who are your biggest influences?
Adam Gontier, Three Days Grace, The Beatles, The Doors, and The Rolling Stones. I love the mid 2000s alternative rock scene as well as the classics from the 60's and 70's. Outside of artists, another big musical influence was my high school music teacher. He always motivated me to be at my best and not compare myself to anyone else and just focus on my own music journey.
4. What are your goals in the music industry?
Right now, my goals are to just write music that will inspire and be there for people when they need it like the artists I mentioned earlier were there for me. Long term, I would love to be performing at big venues with talented artists that have the drive to rock out and send people home happy just like I do.
5. If you could choose a location to perform at, what would it be?
Being from Ontario Canada, some of my favorite concerts have come from The Scotiabank Arena, Echo Beach, and the Budweiser Stage. Those are for sure three venues I would love to play at one day.
6. What is your all-time favorite song?
Roadhouse Blues by The Doors. I use to jam to that song so much growing up and actually sang it in front of my high school music teacher when I was 7 years old and later again when I attended high school. The song's meaning to me is staying focused to where you want you to go in life and letting the road take where it may and not worry about every bad thing that happens. As it says in the song "let it roll baby roll".
7. Most embarrassing moment?
During one performance my microphone became unplugged and I did not realize it at first. I couldn't put it back in mid song but thankfully I think those in front still heard me.
8. Proudest accomplishment?
Having my song World Without Me featuring Katie Tich played on 105.9 The Region recently, and my newest album Stop and Think Now passing 12K streams on Spotify. It is such a rewarding feeling when I have other Ontario artists reach out to me and even other artists from different countries reach out to me and tell me they are enjoying what they're listening to!
9. What is something about you that might surprise someone who knows you the best?
I only have one and a half lungs. I was born prematurely with a rare birth defect called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (C.D.H) but despite it, I am still able to sing my heart out every time I perform. In fact it's been a motivator for my music that despite what I have been through, it's stopping me from doing what I love to do.
𝟭𝟬. What is your dream collaboration?
Ozzy Ozbourne. I feel he is one of the most creative musicians to ever exist. I feel there is a hidden message behind every song he has written and I would be honored to sit down with him and understand where he gets his creative ideas from and cook up something heavy together.
Stream "Stop and Think Now" now
https://open.spotify.com/track/0Y4WGdCAAlIsqjyJYEiqL1
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