Drawing comparisons to John Mayer (one of his inspirations!) and powerhouse Stevie Wonder, Jon Jonsson’s name is one to remember. The Icelandic native is taking America (and the charts) by storm…He just signed with Epic Records to overwhelming buzz. His mix of top 40 pop with and R&B finesse combined with his boy-next-door good looks has already propelled him to the top of the charts in his home country, above artists like Adele and Amy Winehouse! YA got a chance to talk with Jon about his inspirations, his love of laughter and what’s coming up next.

 

When did you first realize you wanted to sing? Was this a first choice career?

I have been singing all my life and I started singing in front of people when I was 13 years old. I participated in some very ambitious musicals in high school and really enjoyed it.  I always knew that I liked performing, but it wasn’t until I started to play my own stuff for my fellow students at Boston University in 2006 that I realized that this was something that I really wanted to try to do professionally.

 

What message are you trying to share with your music?

I think my message is pretty obvious, it’s just pure joy, love and the belief in one’s self.

 

How would you describe your sound?

My sound is pretty outgoing and melodic. It just is what it is and I am not trying to be anything but myself. Therefore, it’s pretty mainstream and simple because that is how I am. Well, I might not be a simple person, but I like to keep things simple. You know what I mean J.

 

Where does your inspiration come from? Are your songs about anyone specific?

The inspiration is just from the music I listen to and the people in my life. Some songs are just straight from my heart, while others are more about something that is going on in the lives of the people around me. But most of them do reflect the way I feel when I write a particular song, even though some are just a pure fabrication from the beginning to the very end. Luckily, most of them are cheerful because that’s how I feel most of the time.

 

Who would you like to work with in the future?

I would love to do a duet with Rihanna or sing the chorus in a Jay-Z song. It’s alright to dream big, you know…! Also, it would be amazing to get a rock solid John Mayer solo in one of my tunes.

 

What’s your favorite part of playing live?

My favorite part is definitely when I have the crowd clap and sing along to some of my tunes. The best feeling is when I don’t even have to tell the audience to sing along and they just do it because they feel like it.

 

How do you mentally prepare for an event? And how do you unwind after?

I just think about how lucky I am to have the opportunity to play my own music for people and I also make sure to not eat too much – I don’t want to burp in the middle of a song. After a gig, I like to discuss the set with my band-mates and have a little laugh.

 

What else do you have coming up?

Musically, I am going to New York at the end of April to play for the Epic staff and I’ll be doing the Icelandic voice-over for Universal’s Despicable Me 2 in mid-May.

 

What other pursuits do you have outside of music?

I was the editor-in-chief of a weekly called Monitor and I used to play soccer with the national champions of Iceland, FH. Music is my passion and the number one goal.

 

What can you tell others pursuing the same career?

I feel it is best to always be true to yourself. That way you can give it your all and do it from the heart. Also people would quickly see through it if you were being something you’re not. Follow your dreams and remember to get right back up if you fail.

 

What 5 bands or songs are you currently listening to on your iPod?

Frank Ocean, John Mayer, and I’m also listening to my brother’s new album; his name is Friðrik Dór and he sings R&B in Icelandic. I also listen to these other Icelandic acts; Retro Stefson and Ásgeir Trausti. You should check ’em out!