Jono Dorr (original) (raw)

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American musician, singer, songwriter (born 1990)

Musical artist

Jono Dorr (born April 9, 1990) also known as Jonathan Dorr, is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He has written and produced music for various artists including Hayley Kiyoko, The Neighbourhood, Kehlani, G-Eazy, French Montana, Gnash, Bibi Bourelly, Skizzy Mars, Devon Baldwin, Janine, Phem, and Marco Mckinnis.[1] He has released several singles as a solo artist, and his debut EP, The Unexamined Life Part 1, was released on August 12, 2020.[2]

Jono Dorr was born and raised in Los Angeles, California.[3] He grew up playing guitar and explored many genres of music including classic rock, blues, and funk.[2] Throughout his childhood, he played guitar and bass in various bands.[3] While attending the Academy of Music and Performing Arts at Alexander Hamilton High School, Dorr participated in an electronic music class in which he learned how to create and produce music digitally.[4] He then started producing and songwriting with various singers and rappers.[4] Graduating from UC Santa Cruz with a major in Philosophy and a minor in Electronic Music, Dorr originally planned on becoming a lawyer to satisfy the wishes of his parents but instead opted for a career in music.[1]

Motivated by his parents' ultimatum to either be successful in music or get a non-entertainment related job, Dorr started out by composing and recording cues for reality television shows.[5] This allowed him to support himself while also fine-tuning his production and songwriting skills.[1] In 2018, Dorr co-produced and co-wrote Hayley Kiyoko's breakout album, Expectations, which reached the Top 20 Album charts in the US, Canada, and Australia.[6] In 2019 Dorr became a solo artist releasing four original songs that featured his production and songwriting along with his vocals.

Dorr's modern pop/R&B sound draws upon his varying musical inspirations.[1] He has specifically cited the raw, jarring quality of the blues along with the communal efforts of motown music as his biggest inspirations.[1] His combination of genres has created a sound that has been described as, “cerebral and grounded, a stunning contrast of darkness and light.” Dorr has been compared to such artists as The Weeknd and Bon Iver.[7]

Songwriting and production credits

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1. ^ a b c d e "Songwriter Profile: Jono Dorr". Music Connection Magazine. August 27, 2020.
2. ^ a b "jono dorr, the unexamined life part 1". August 12, 2020.
3. ^ a b "Jono Dorr Walks Out Into The spotlight With "Quiet Footsteps"". June 25, 2020.
4. ^ a b "An Interview With Singer-Songwriter JONO DORR On His New Solo Track 'Quiet Footsteps,' Writing and Producing For Others and What's Next! | All Access Music".
5. ^ Team, Unheard Gems (June 19, 2020). ""Quiet Footsteps" - Jono Dorr | Review". Unheard Gems.
6. ^ "Songwriter/Producer for Kehlani and Hayley Kiyoko, Jono Dorr Debuts New Single". Divine Magazine. July 2, 2020.
7. ^ "Ears Wide Open: Jono Dorr". October 12, 2020.