biography

Oklahoma City singer-songwriter John Randolph merges pop, rock, folk, americana, and jazz. His lyrics honestly explore the depths of depression, but with optimistic self-revelation. He writes about the complexities of relationships, a desire for acceptance, and a longing for clarity. Using percussive rhythms and jazz progressions with accessible pop sensibilities, Randolph delivers expressive, Appalachian-tinged vocals.

Raised in the Mid-Ohio Valley, John Randolph was handed his father’s trumpet when he was only two years old and surprised his family with one perfect tone. “My parents were always very supportive of my music and made sure I had the tools to pursue it”, says Randolph. He grew up listening to his father’s Herb Alpert, Al Hurt, and Rafael Mendez records. In junior high school he discovered 1980’s contemporary jazz artists like Wynton Marsalis and Jeff Tyzik and the iconic Miles Davis, and Doc Severinson. He started writing songs and playing piano at sixteen, under the pop influence of Richard Marx, Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel. He eventually discovered his love for the guitar in his early twenties.

It was at this time that Randolph heard alternative bands Toad the Wet Sprocket and Big Head Todd and The Monsters, and was inspired to form his first rock band, Mundane Rain. The group played predominately to the college crowd and the festival circuit and recorded an album for Rival Records in Marble Falls, Texas. “Unfortunately, the band and our management had conflicting interests and the deal ultimately went sour.” he said. Shortly thereafter Mundane Rain disbanded and Randolph began a long, emotional journey culminating in a personal and musical revelation. “Music has been the one constant in my life and helped me gain perspective through the more difficult times. Though self-expression I came to realize a truer sense of purpose. ”

The result of this self-expression is Shadows, Randolph’s debut cd, to be released on June 2, 2007. Self-produced and recorded in his home studio, he engineered and played all instruments on the project. “I had total creative freedom and control, which has both good and bad aspects. It was a great learning process. Today’s technology has leveled the playing field for independent musicians.” says Randolph. Similar to David Gray’s White Ladder, which was recorded in his London apartment, Shadows utilizes this technology and was born out of the spirit of independent creativity. Additionally, Randolph credits Ryan Adams, Nick Drake, Pete Yorn, John Mayer and most importantly, Jeff Buckley as artists who have influenced and inspired his songwriting, and creative expression.

Randolph looks forward to growing as an artist. “I feel that I have really only begun to scratch the surface of my songwriting abilities and feel I am always evolving as a musician. I love getting the opportunity to share my music and hope to inspire others the way I have been inspired.”

featured track

If you could duet with anyone dead or alive who would it be?

I would love to sing with former front man of Toad the West Sprocket Glen Phillips, he has such a presence to his voice that I think we could harmonize well together.

Who are your musical influences?

Jeff Buckley, David Gray, Ryan Adams, John Mayer, Ian Moore, Toad the Wet, Sprocket, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Richard Marx, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Wynton Marsalis, Miles Davis and too many more to mention.

How do you write your songs? Do you start with the music or the lyrics?

I generally start with a solid chord progression and then wait to see what sort of emotion it evokes and then I try to write lyrics to convey that feeling but, I have written songs where I have started with a solid lyrical idea as well.

Can you play any instruments if so which ones and do you have a favourite.

I grew up playing the trumpet all the way through high school and had private lessons for about three years. I had also taken six months of classical piano and one year of formal guitar lessons but, the trumpet is still my favourite even though the guitar is my main instrument now.

How did you get into music, was it from an early age?

My parents were both musicians so; my initial exposure to music came from them. I played trumpet in high school and when I was about sixteen, I became interested in singing and songwriting.

Do you have any musical training,

I have had some formal training in Music Theory as well as the trumpet, piano and guitar lessons.

Which of your songs are you most proud of?

I don’t think I can say for sure that I am any more proud of one song over the others. I can say that I was proud of the guitar solo at the end of “Silver Blue” because It was a pretty good solo and I was able to get it in one take which does not happen too often for me.

Where were you born, and do you still live there?

I was born on Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls Montana, I grew up in the Mid-Ohio Valley and I currently live in Oklahoma City Oklahoma.

Where would you like to see yourself in five years time?

I hope to be doing music full time as a business; writing, performing, recording, touring and perhaps doing some projects for television and film.

Six words that best describe you.

Passionate, Positive, Persistent, Playful, Procrastinates, Unorganized.

What is your favourite of all of your songs?

“Silver Blue” is my favourite I think because of its shear simplicity. The melody is strong which leaves a lot of room for production and it is both abstract and philosophical in its main idea.

How long did it take to write and record the Music for the ‘Shadows’ album?

“Shadows” is a modest collection of songs that were written over the course of 5 or 6 years with the recording process taking another year and a half. The CD was self produced and recorded in my home studio and I felt that it was a good representation of some of my better material for that time.

What’s the best Live / recording moment, you ever had.

I would have to say that my first solo acoustic gig was my best live moment so far. I didn’t have a band to hide behind so I really needed to be at the top of my game. I was scared and excited at the same time but I had a great gig in the end.

Where was your first public performance?

Sherwood Heights Elementary School in Pendleton Oregon. I was in the fifth grade and had to perform a trumpet solo on “When the Saints Go Marching In” for a school concert band function.

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