Q: What was the role of music in the early years of your life?

It provided me not only an out from personal troubles but an outlet where i was able to fully realize and express myself liberally

Q: Are you from a musical or artistic family?

Definitely a musical family, specifically my father’s side. His father was a heavy Elvis fan and used to play guitar whilst singing alongside with my grandmother for the family. That left an impression on their children while growing up; my aunt eventually becoming a professional singer/music artist and my father constantly singing aloud songs in the morning.

Q: Who inspired you to be a part of the music industry?

No one. The idea of being a part of something has never been my focus, especially that of an industry. My main intention is integrating my music globally in where it’ll have a paradigm shift on how we perceive music, ultimately breaking away from the traditional understanding of music within industry standards. Not to say there’s a innate rigidity when it comes to the idea of what’s music, but there’s a certain expectation of palatableness when it comes to listening, wanting something accessible enough for them to understand. I wouldn’t say I'm anti-industry though. Maybe post-industry.

Q: How did you learn to sing/write/play?

Kinda always had an aptitude honestly. I honed my craft from taking in different influences. Honed my creative writing skills from people such as Eyedea, Sylvia Plath, a little bit of Charles Bukowski, Mc Ride, MF DOOM, and even battle rappers such as Quantum Physics (QP), Thesaurus, Illmaculate, Franco, and many others.

Q: What was your first music teacher like?

Couldn’t tell you what my first ever teacher was like. I had piano teachers here and there when i was younger but I really came across bonafide music teachers for the first time when i entered college. The first teacher that comes to mind is my master class piano teacher, Susan Sobolewski. Truly a master in her craft. Wasn’t the very first person i came across as my music teacher but definitely the first person i would run to have as a teacher.

Q: What was the first instrument you learned to play?

Piano

Q: What is the story behind your band/artist name?

It was long drawn and disjointed yet intuitive in the making. John Deaf wasn’t created in one night. John was picked off from a high school/musical colleague of mine in the name of Jon Lynch, now Lynch. Its also the name of my father. Deaf was subconsciously sneaked in. I remember back when i was probably 14 years old i was staying in my step-mother’s house to be with my father for the summer. I was alone in the living room during the hot noon. Out of boredom, i stared at the keypad on the home phone , scanning the letters under the number. My eyes caught “DEF” under the 3 button and i found that compelling; for some reason that always stuck to me. It eventually formed into “deaf”during the process of replacing my first moniker “Deadlock”, keeping the “ea”. Deaf was original, discerning myself from already established names, the biggest being Mos Def.

Q: What was the first concert that you ever went to?

Can’t exactly recall. My mother or father most likely remember. Most likely a Nas and Damian Marley concert in the Bronx I believe. Dont quote me on that. Was super young. Had to be 12-13. I was super into 90s hip hop during that time so i was in my natural habitat being at that concert. I remember vividly during the opening set the dj was playing biggie smalls’s “where brooklyn at” freestyle and everyone was going bonkers, if not, more so, me. I was reciting that shit like i freestyled it. Me wearing my NY fitted during that moment only did it more justice.

Q: How could you describe your music?

A broad spectrum of Alternative, Experimental, Electronic, Boom-Bap, Pop music in the expression of, sometimes, rap. Still wouldn’t settle with one precise label. Whatever i like, whatever i hear, is being incorporated and made into a song.

Q: Describe your creative process?

Its all over the place. If i have a beat i typically freestyle a sound, either it being a flow, melody or harmony. Sometimes i try to visualize myself being another rapper, pondering on how they’d approach the song, either that being flow wise, vocally or characteristically. I could be using multiple references all at once in my head. I combine that all into one and tactically scatter those flows into different sections of the song. Kind’ve a Dadaist approach. Whatever musician i find myself channeling in that song I experiment until i break away their personal quirks and extract the essence of, then filter it through my expression as john deaf. I also try to listen to different genres of music as much as possible so i wont get stuck thinking in one particular way. Ill even freestyle over other songs as way of keeping artistically flexible. That could be over song by Fiona Apple, Trickie, Aphex Twin, or even an old soul joint from the ponderosa twins. Whatever works works.

Q: What is your main inspiration?

Everything thats not unoriginal. If i hear or see something unfounded im going to want to do it myself. Im inspired by different ways of thinking because the enables you to perceive something that was already existing anew or, in more extreme cases, forces you to understand why that something exists.

Q: What musician/artist do you admire the most?

Eyedea, Death Grips, Ananda Shankar, Francis Bacon, Aphex Twin, FKA Twigs, Nirvana, Michael Jackson, Company Flow, Salvador Dali

Q: What is one message you would like to give to your fans?

Be you. If we know who you sound like, you’re not being yourself enough.

Q: Do you create for yourself or for your fans?

Both. Ultimately, we’re all connected. I create fans, fans create me

Q: Do you prefer to listen to music or create it?

Both. Cant be musical if im not fluent in both. They’re one of the same as well.

Q: Did your style evolve since the beginning of your career?

Of course. Despite my detour from my original sound, stylistically i’ve matured into an artist for a lack of better words. Im more fluent being me rather than coming off musically inconsistent and/or wearing my influences on my sleeve. Most notably, my voice has developed as its own

Q: Who do you see as your main competitor?

No one. Competition distorts self-perception of value

Q: Would you agree that it is very important to learn, study and understand old music and

music history?

Abso-fucking-lutely. You must understand the roots in order to have a foundation. Once you’ve engrained the principles, not only do you become proficient in your field, you also develop a deep appreciation for what you do. Understanding is knowing, knowing is acuity, acuity is proficiency.

Q: If you could have a musician tag along with you on tour for one month , who would you

choose?

LARAFTO

Q: What do you enjoy most about being an artist?

The fact i do something thats essential and rudimentary in humanity. Also, the fact its a lifestyle.

Q: What skills are most useful in the music industry?

Having an understanding what the industry is. Thats it

Q: How do you handle working evenings and nights?

With having a clear idea how i want it to end

Q: When was the last time you performed in front of a huge audience?

The last and only time was at this showcase called the Who’s Mic Is It showcase last December. Was an amazing experience. Got the feel on what it’s like to perform on a big stage for the first time. Its exhilarating to be given a platform where your able to show off yourself alongside with other like minded people who’re they’re to support you.

Q: Tell me about your best performance?

My best performance took place at the “who’s mic is it” showcase in Brooklyn. Had no idea what i was getting myself into but further more i didn’t have an any idea how i would perform. Once i got on stage in front of everyone i was given assurance that this is what i was meant to do. That motion was further confirmed once i performed my then unreleased single “liquor store”. The reception was crazy. I knew how it was going to end but the actuality of it was surreal. The fact they demanded an encore was eternally gratifying. The love I received afterwards was extraordinary. People approaching me saying “i killed it” was entirely alien because im just starting to realize the impact my music has on others.

Q: . Tell me about your worst performance?

Never had one. My first open mic can probably qualify but that was my first time ever performing on a stage and learning what’s that like

Q: Do you experience stress before going on stage?

Naturally, yes. But thats there as inertia. Once you put yourself in motion, all else is still

Q: How do you energize the audience?

By interacting with them. If im passionate in a certain part of a song ill cue them in either verbally or physically. So i might starting jumping, waving my hands, or perform my intensely. If i need that to be conveyed my overtly then ill tell them to make noise, give them commands, or just talk to them to see how they feel.

Q: What is the biggest problem you have encountered in the journey of music?

Having enough time. I know that if i have enough time i’ll be heard. Its a matter of being given that opportunity to actually make music for the world to listen to and not get caught up with demands of everyday life. They’ll be times where i cant spit for days due to the inconvenience of being only given the night when everyones sleeping.

Q: If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

Modify practices of artistic management that are used as a certain means of profitability

Q: Have you ever participated in any music competition?

No

Q: What are your plans for the coming months?

Drop a mixtape, promote the shit out of it, perform at two showcases, expand my brand through personal methods, work on an album, do a photoshoot.

Q: Do you have any artistic collaboration plans?

I plan on collaborating with LARAFTO. Check him out. The next big thing. I mean that.

Q: What does your typical day look like?

Wake up, stretch, read for 30 mins, look for jobs because im unemployed, write plans of promotion and employing them, write music, go to sleep.

Q: How do you think social media has changed the music industry?

It changed the industry by making the art more open for interaction. Marketing, Managing, and Creating is no longer exclusive to their once specialized sources. Now, anyone is able to do those things with full propriety.

Q: What does your typical weekend look like?

Basically the same as my weekday but i see my significant other.

Q: How do you balance the music and your other obligations-school, family, etc?

Through scheduling, giving times to certain things throughout the day in order to have structure and smoothness in operating.

Q: What is the best gig you’ve ever played?

Haven’t had one yet but soon will.

Q: What is the saddest song you've ever heard?

Smashing pumpkins- Behold! The Night Mare

Q: What are your interests outside of music?

Reading, philosophizing, Studying life

Q: Provide a link to your music.

https://linktr.ee/johndeaf?fbclid=PAAaa99k9tGChjjLPDB7H9R5Bsd-qsUSClmYLoa_SsxRLzY3AOVNihHaMG_Bg

Q: Provide a link where people can contact you.

https://instagram.com/john_definitive?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE=