We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jonathan Shockley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jonathan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

In 2020, my manager and I were in a weird place where we weren’t sure if we wanted to keep doing the music thing. Covid had dominated the industry, we didn’t love the hamster wheel we felt like we were on, and we were just burnt out. We decided to do one more project together just to say that we did a full length album. We spent the next 2 years building the project now released as PRODIGAL. Not only did that process keep us in the industry, it brought opportunities for each of us that we would’ve never thought possible. In 2022 I got the opportunity to open for The Shadowboxers at the Basement East, and later that fall I opened for Earth, Wind, & Fire at First Bank amphitheater. That project was the spark we both needed. Not to mention the story told is one that is so close to each of our hearts, it was just a really special time.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Jonathan Shockley, I grew up in a small town in East TN. Growing up my dad travelled and sang gospel music, and for as long as I can remember I’ve been involved in music. Whether that was in the church, in studio sessions with him, or even in high school choir/theatre. I made the move to nashville in 2018 and since then have been developing my sound/production style in pop/r&b music. I’m in love with the process of creating, especially if it’s a larger body of work. When I was young I was obsessed with albums and long movies, and I can see how that’s affected the way I create today. I released my debut album last year, and it is to date the thing I am most proud of. It took so much out of me, obviously physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. The album tells my story of figuring out who God is and who I am in light of that, and I am so so proud with how it turned out.
I think that I have a really unique style and sound. I bring a lot of elements from 90’s r&b/2000’s hip hop into my music that I think a lot of people are missing right now. I love big and elaborate vocal parts, and if there’s a groove I’m immediately sold. The project I’m currently working on is me going back to what made me fall in love with music.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I have had to constantly and consistently unlearn the thought that social media is meant to showcase my finished work. Growing up it was the place where you posted the finished product, and the concept of “day in the life” was nowhere to be found. This has been hard for me, as I consider myself a fairly private person. But I have learned the advantage of letting people behind the curtain, and also see how this ultimately builds a stronger brand and a more loyal fanbase. When I look back, I know that I would’ve rather people been fans of me first and my music second-and social media today is the perfect way to do that.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I don’t think people realize how important engagement is. Most people just want to come to these platforms (whether that’s a social platform or a streaming platform) and consume. But the way your favorite artists grow and continue to create is by people genuinely engaging, following, commenting, saving, going to shows, buying the t shirt, etc. I’m thankful we live in a world where independent artists can thrive and exist. But that’s impossible if there’s no evidence of a fan out there hahaha. You really have no idea how much a small comment on a post means, and I think I speak for a lot of artists when I say we genuinely want to KNOW our fanbase. It’s cool to recognize there is this common ground called humanity here hahaha.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shockley.world
• Instagram: @_shockley_
• Facebook: Shockley
• Twitter: @_shockley_
• Youtube: Shockley
• Other: TikTok: @_shockley_

Image Credits
Noah Tidmore Nina Long