Ghanaian Pop singer Jon Germain, broke away from UK Rock Band VAN GREENE and released the multiple award winning album THIS IS WHO I AM. The album was nominated for MOST GIFTED RnB by Channel O, BEST POP by SOUNDCITY Music Awards , RECORD OF THE YEAR Ghana Music Awards , Won DISCOVERY OF THE YEAR , 4 syte Music Awards Africa and recently nominated for Voters Choice Song Of The Year award at MOAMAS to be held in New York, USA.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Jon Germain – I grew up in London & Ghana, whiles growing up , i will wake up to my father college professor John Germain listening to songs from artists such as O’Jays, Marvin Gaye, Kenny Rogers , White Snake, Rod Stewart, Bruce Hornsby, Michael Jackson etc. that experience will shape who i will become as i singer and a song writer. I will later join the church choir after the church pianist realized i could sing. i didnt know.
years after back in london , me and 5 friends of mine will for a rock band called VAN GREENE, and i was the lead singer
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Jon Germain: That is my real name.. (John) Jon Germain … my father was John Germain…
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Jon Germain : Yes i do give my songs out for free, even though i disagree because free online music has made most record labels, who were massively successful in the 70’s 80’s 90’s bankrupt now. but as an artist one of the joys is people knowing your song all over the world and the internet is amazing place to promote and market your music. so you dont want to be left out. so you have to give some songs for free.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Jon Germain: ha ha yes , my former band VAN GREENE it was really tough trying to start a rock band with a black lead singer in london.. getting gigs was almost impossible… the i later become a part of an R&B band called MGKK 4 that was the era of Boyz II Men.. we made music like Boyz II Men
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Jon Germain: at a live performance in Ghana as an opener for legendary Ghanaian Reggae Singer Kojo Antwi. and some way some how in the middle of my performance guitars went off and DJ’s PC and turn tables went off. i spot singing because i was confused. my manager asked me to continue singer.. but i was so tensed i forgot the song i was singing, getting my self together to perform again wasnt easy. must have been the worse day on stage… ha ha
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Jon Germain : every few years we put together shows.. and i do a few gigs in London and Ghana as well
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Jon Germain: songs just comes to me.. everyday…sometimes its just the tune, then i later take time to put lyric in it.. but i never sit to write a song..i have written over 300 songs..
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Jon Germain: http://www.audiomack.com/artis
t/jon-germain .. over 30 other songs can be found on itues
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Jon Germain: ha ha its my cover of Chris Browns Don’t Judge me.. it wasnt meant to be released.. but someone put it online..
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?Â
Jon Germain: on my way to brazil… to relax and return with a lot of new songs…ha ha
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Jon Germain: I have been working on a rock album, im really excited about it
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Jon Germain: online promotion
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?Â
Jon Germain: Wembley.. a performance with Michael Jackson , Bon Jovi or Chris Brown
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Jon Germain: i have a few single ready, gonna release them soon..
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?Â
Jon Germain: ha ha i will still be a TV/Radio Host like i am. but i will be very unhappy
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?Â
Jon Germain: first album i bought with my money was Bryan Adams WAKING UP THE NEIGHBORS
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Jon Germain: still trying to make it work. i always want everything to be perfect so it takes a lot of effort to juggle all that and still have perfection
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?Â
Jon Germain: a lot of new music
