Exclusive Interview with Jonathon Goldie About His Latest Release "Isolophobia" and Much More!

We are thrilled to welcome back the immensely talented Jonathon Goldie for an exclusive interview following the release of his highly anticipated second full-length album, "Isolophobia."

Known for his unique blend of acoustic sounds and analog drum machines, Jonathon’s innovative approach to music makes him one of the most interesting artists of the decade. With his distinctive voice and thought-provoking lyrics, Jonathon continues to push the boundaries of Alternative, Indie Rock, and Electronic music.

As he gears up for his North American tour this fall, we delve deeper into the creative process behind “Isolophobia,” the inspiration behind its captivating tracks, and his exciting journey ahead. Join us as we explore the mind of this extraordinary artist and discover what makes his music so compelling.

Hi Jonathon, thank you for joining us again! Your new album “Isolophobia” was released on May 28, 2024. The album brilliantly blends acoustic sonorities with analog drum machines and features a mix of indie rock and electronic music. What inspired this particular fusion of styles?

I mostly listen to electronic music and honestly, I feel more pulled to it than indie rock. I usually use the term indie rock, because I don’t know how else to explain what I do. I guess the mixture, though, comes from a curiosity of how to implement electronic elements into the music. And I guess this album is a starting point.

In the album, we can find new versions of your previous singles “Alone,” “The Trick” and “Dark and Blue”. What made you decide to give new life to these songs?

I had new vocals mixed for this album by someone else, and it made sense to kind of indicate that these are a bit different from the previously released singles.

Any specific reason you decided not to include the single “Isolophobia” in the record?

I tend to make sure things are flowing in the album, even if it means the album is super short. I did the same with leaving a song called “Root” off my first album. Too mid-tempo. It ends up disrupting the flow of the album. You only want so many mid-tempo songs on your album! (laughs)

The track “Phobia” is incredibly captivating; as a short interlude, does it divide two sides of the album?

Yes! It ended up being that anyway. A good way of looking at it. I forget exactly how that song was conceived. I tend to reverse sounds if I want to add an interesting element to the song. That’s a good trick. Nothing else really sounds like it once you do it.

“Spinning in Circles” is another powerful track on the album. What was the creative process like for this song?

That actually came in the latter end of the creation of this album, or at the time ‘soon to be album’. It’s one of those things where you just end up hearing it in your head, then trying it on guitar, then quickly rushing to my studio space to add more elements to it. I had to disrupt a phone call, because I didn’t want to forget it!

The album ends with the brilliant “Ceremony.” How did you decide on this track as the closer, and what does it signify for you?

It sounded conclusive and a bit different and bare-bones compared to the rest of the album. It was named Ceremony as it sounded like a, well, ceremony to celebrate the lives of those one has lost. I guess it was kind of because in my family there aren’t typically funerals, or anything like that.

Your unique voice and intense lyrics dig deep into the listeners’ emotions. How do you approach writing lyrics, and what themes do you explore in this album?

I was diagnosed with a mental disorder 10 years ago almost to the day. It’s reflecting on my past. Even before that, I’ve had to break a lot of “friendships” for the sake of my own growth. So, it is reflective of that as well. Of course, though, you could listen to this music and not get that at all. It’s meant to be kind of vague too, so listeners can apply their own meaning.

In our previous interview, you mentioned that “Isolophobia” is a bit darker and more electronic than your previous works. Can you elaborate on what influenced this new phase in your music?

My love for electronic music is what pushed me in this direction. Stuff like James Blake, Grimes, Jesse Lanza, Caribou, Christine, and the queens… might not sound like it though. I really, at heart, want to be an electronic musician, but I fail at that because I keep picking up the guitar. (laughs) I usually mention Radiohead, if someone hasn’t heard my music at all. Grizzly Bear too. Then people are like “Oh okay”.

You have a North American tour coming up this Fall. What can fans expect from your live performances?

I am still putting those things together, so we will see what happens. The live versions of these songs and everything else I’ve released seems to take on a new energy. They are quite energetic live!

Your previous album “Blind!” was released in 2021. How do you feel your sound has evolved since then?

I think as a producer I have become better, and my sound is maybe more refined? Not to say I’m sticking to this sound. The next album will be different than this. Not sure how, but it will be.

“Isolophobia” showcases a high level of artistic maturity. What personal or professional experiences have contributed to this growth?

That’s nice to hear. I think, as mentioned earlier, just being accepting as a person. Having a mental disorder has really changed my life. You really end up focusing on what’s important in life. I think being in that place of acceptance and looking back is what made the album the way it is. It’s an album of reflection.

The album features a blend of personal and somewhat broad lyrics, allowing listeners to create their own meanings. How important is this interpretive flexibility to you?

I think it’s important that people can find their own meaning in songs. Just because a song might mean something to me in a particular way, doesn’t mean it has to for everyone else. Lyrics to me are also a way of painting over the song – the way words sound.

What do you hope listeners take away from “Isolophobia,” and what message do you want to convey through this album and your upcoming tour?

I don’t think there’s any particular message. I just hope people enjoy it and take pleasure in listening to it. I mostly want it to sound good to my ears, and hopefully in the end, others’.

“Isolophobia” seems to reflect on various emotional and psychological states. Can you talk about how personal experiences influenced the album’s themes?

Mental health is a big one as mentioned earlier. A lot of it reflects my personal experiences with people and old friends. I could name a few different things, but the importance is the music and what it evokes in the listener.

Collaboration can be key in music production. Did you work with any other artists or producers on this album, or was it primarily a solo endeavor?

Mostly a solo endeavor this time around. I recorded everything myself, except some vocals in a studio. I also had most of the vocals mixed by an engineer.

Looking ahead, what are your future musical plans? Are there any new genres or styles you’re excited to explore in your next projects?

I have a song that didn’t make the cut that I would like to finish. Sort of a Bossanova number. Other than that I’m just focused on promoting this album.