The Back story
I'M A POP ROCKER
A mix of The Beatles and the Blues with a twist
Growing up in rural Missouri, John was unable to tune in to radio stations from surrounding cities, so he spent years listening to his older brother’s classic Rock and Soul collection. This is the rich musical history he still draws on when writing his original songs.
When people push him for a short description of his music, John usually says: “I’m a Pop Rocker… kind of a mix of The Beatles and the Blues, with an alternative twist.” John has many influences, but mostly it’s the music of the 1960s and ‘70s - The British Invasion, Motown, Muscle Shoals, Atlantic Soul, East Memphis Blues - and he also loves the Alternative Pop/Rock and Power Pop of the 1990s and 2000s (think SemiSonic, Cake, Weezer, Gorillaz, Klaatu). And then, given his Missouri roots, a little Country and Southern Rock seeps in too. Basically, there are echoes of everything from Liverpool to Memphis in John Stowers songs, which is what makes them so damn appealing.
His wife and friends have told John that they feel he can intuitively tap into people's emotions and stories and paint a picture or a feeling in just a line or two. They like the way he writes - honestly and truthfully, often with a sense of humor. They like his word play… a turn of phrase they hadn’t heard before, but which perfectly describes something.
Other fans have said John’s songs touch them, making them laugh or cry. They say his music never conflicts with or distracts from the song… that the words and music always work together. And right across the board, people like John’s melodies and harmonies… but most of all, they like his voice!
“I want to write songs and make music like my heroes - the artists and bands that I love and listened to growing up, and still listen to now.”
— John Stowers
John himself just loves telling stories and evoking emotion through his music. “It’s just been a matter of writing more and getting better at it”, says John. “It took me a long while to get to the point where I felt my songs were good enough to play for other people.
“That’s the real test - performing your songs live for an audience beyond your friends and family. I played tons of open mic. gigs in the many coffee houses and bars around Los Angeles, seeing which songs connected with people. I also spent years busking on the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica. Not only did this build up my vocal endurance, it was a great education as to which of my songs grabbed people’s attention… which ones made them stop, listen and throw a couple of dollars into my guitar case. That was invaluable to my growth as a writer and an artist.
“No matter what influences thread their way through my music, it’s still me. It’s still unique. Paul McCartney wanted to sing like Little Richard or Ray Charles and after meeting him, John Lennon wanted to write like Bob Dylan… but the songs still came out as Paul McCartney and John Lennon songs.”
John Stowers has now released an EP (‘4 The Record’) and two albums, ‘Everything You Do’ and the brand new release, ‘Open’. His latest work shows an evolution in John’s style, branching out across genres, while still capturing the dichotomy of his life to date, including recent challenges.
This superb singer / songwriter continues to bring wonderful new music to our lives, complete with a story of triumph over every day struggles.
Tall Men Group
In December 2011, John Stowers joined with five other friends, all Los Angeles performing songwriters, who decided on holding a monthly meeting at the home of Founder, Jimmy Yessian for songwriting challenges. The idea was to share new songs and help further each other’s musical endeavors. Just in case they thought they were too busy, Jimmy sweetened the pot by promising to prepare a gourmet meal for each meeting.
The songs that emerged from those challenges inspired all six musicians who decided they wanted to share them with the world. So they morphed into a live performing and touring act called Tall Men Group. The TMG live show is rich with brotherly rapport, humor, well-crafted harmonies, captivating stories and fine musicianship… but first and foremost, it’s about the songs.