Exposed Vocals just caught an exclusive interview with Oakland legend, Jonah Melvon

Described as a cross between Common and Musiq Soulchild, with charisma that can not be defined comes Oakland legend, Jonah Melvon. Setting the tone for one epic year with 2 singles from his new album, ‘Rain Water Project.’ The soulful new singles, “What’s Good For You” and “Mom and Pops” come just in time for the first and most pertinent holiday of the year, MLK Day 2019.

Both being huge grooves, “What’s Good For You” and “Mom and Pops” shine in Jonah’s ability to create rich experiences through his art, providing good ol’ soul food or soul music, as it is often called. “Mom and Pops” takes us to a hopeful time in the future where we as a culture support our own. While “What’s Good For You” meshes Spoken Word, Hip Hop and Soul Music into one dope recipe filled with food for thought.

Having played with Miguel, Goapele, Ledisi, T.I., EPMD, Black Eyed Peas, and Heiro (just to name a few), as well as tearing up the Oakland’s underground scene, Jonah Melvon is back to making waves in an oftentimes monotonous industry. By making passionate music with an unwavering commitment to excellence Melvon has been able to carve out a lane of his own, all while keeping it cutting edge and true to self. Get familiar with The Bay Area legend through “Rain Water Project,’ available now on all digital streaming platforms.

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

I have always had a deep love and appreciation for the arts, however I shied away from being an artists, with the high level of talent that occupied my home. Not only was the talent level evident under my roof, where as record labels would scout my sisters, but amazing talent surrounded me living in the great city of Oakland. It wasn’t until college where I set my voice free attending open mics, and I felt this freedom from sharing my perspectives on life, through song. I was so inspired that 
my will became focused on being an entrepreneur, with an emphasis on music. That dream and pursuit continues to burn in my heart, keeping the fire ablaze for my “1099” lifestyle.

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?

Building home front I believe is key. If your working for any great telemarketing company or brand, they will usually have you write a list of folks that are close to you, so that you can reach out to them to support their brand. It’s the same when your running or building your own startup or brand, its imperative to build a list of potential followers that will want to share your brand with their friends. Most people travel in packs with similar interests, so convincing one in the pack can travel a great distance. This is especially key with doing live shows. Media can be deceptive with having lots of “likes and followers”, because when it comes time for “butts in seats”, your media platforms don’t always translate. The traditional marketing to people face to face, sending a friend a text message, and your friends promoting your brand, is still a key component especially for smaller brands putting “butts in seats”. I work to not cheat on this, because it builds real followership, and not to mention great character and appreciation behind the art.

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

Of course I make mistakes. 
I have to forgive myself (hopefully quickly) as an entrepreneur, or I will not last. The greater the challenge, the more mistakes I will make to get the result I’m trying to achieve. Since I have anxiety, I have to work even more so against the negative thoughts I tell myself, and really block out any outside noise, that is not promoting the growth of my brand. 

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

Currently I am not doing the traditional touring method, unless it makes sense. However, I am doing a non traditional music “Tech Tour” currently. I travel from tech company to tech company, performing a live show, and engaging audiences on “Bridging the Gap” between the arts and the tech world.

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

Currently I outsource anything that has to do with studio work. I plan to build a home studio this year however, more for scratch vocal ideas. The challenge is not becoming too spread thin, where I’m a “jack of all trades, but a master of none”.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

I am always engaging artists and entrepreneurs on the advancement of “us”, from a technology or equity perspective. My greatest asset still is the traditional text message, which leads to word of mouth, which leads to “butts in seats”. However, currently I am focused on building a worldwide audience, so I have been outsourcing branding and PR experts to help me build new engagements. 

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

Tiny desk and either with Michael Jackson, Prince, Sade, or a gang of other artists. The vulnerability and rawness of the experience is captivating to me, and the nostalgia would take it to another level. 

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

I just released a new record entitled “RainWater Project”. I am excited about this full-length record, with a special emphasis on two songs, “1099” and “What’s Good for You”. These two songs together, define so much of my story and my overall sound, not to mention my sister Adesha kills both songs with her sultry vocals.

I embody the “Mom and Pops” or “1099” experience, and I preach on it without trying to. While working for someone else can be beautiful, there is something special about building your own brand, and working for the movement of an idea you created. Alongside of this single is the other single entitled, “What’s Good for You”. This song encompasses my love for story telling, while addressing pressing issues to me like gentrification, dealing with the past hurts like abuse, and being black under the leadership of our country.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

I love being an entrepreneur period. If I wasn’t doing music, I would still dive into something creative. Whatever “it” would be, it would have to burn deep inside of me, with the same fire music sparks internally.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?

Music “Tech Tour” entitled “Bridging the Gap”. Last year I had the privilege to play at prominent companies like Pandora, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

While performing at these companies, one of the rising issues that kept arising after multiple conversations, was “how do we create sustainability for artists to thrive in The Bay Area and the like?” The Bay has a rich history of attracting artists, activists and the like. Unfortunately, these communities are currently threatened in the Bay Area due to the ever changing climate of culture. We need to find a way for the arts and tech to work together for a better Bay Area. This tour will be soulful while bringing much needed awareness. 

As I will continue to engage new fans on behalf of the “RainWater Project”, the plan is to also release another project at the end of 2019.

Exposed Vocals: Any Shout-outs?

Big shout out to my boy Nabeyin who helped me through this whole process of creating this record. I am blessed to have such a deep community of artists and musicians around me. My hat is off to my beautiful squad that helped me breathe life into this record. 

Adesha Adefela, AlexisRose, Yvette Pylant, Brandon Farmer, Justin Hawkins, Marco Casasola, Neill Castro, Ed Pasalo, Giulio Cetto, Lionel Briones, Bennett Roth, Christian Manzana, Bernard Sapitola, Jake Nochimow, Zach Rubin-Rattet, Paul Henson, Ray Arbuckle Dillon Lawter. 

Special thanks to my PR and branding crew William Roberts and Louis Anthony.