Meet John Tibbits, the star of today’s exclusive interview. His latest single, “Legacy,” demands attention and reflection, prompting us to contemplate our place in the world and the impact we wish to leave behind. Influenced by iconic acts like Enter Shikari, John infuses his music with raw energy and heartfelt emotion, soaring to epic heights reminiscent of stadium anthems. Yet amidst the grandeur and cinematic allure of his sound, John remains steadfast in his commitment to authenticity and integrity. Despite lacking formal vocal training, he relies on sheer talent and unwavering determination to imbue his performances with genuine emotion and passion.

This became my main goal in this interview – to find out what drives him and what goals he sets for himself as an artist, as a composer. Read about this and much more in our exclusive interview!

photo by @johntibbitsmusic

Hey John, thanks for taking the time to chat with me. Your single “Legacy” has been described as both nostalgic and future-facing. Can you elaborate on the inspiration behind the song and what you hope listeners take away from it?

‘Legacy’ is about the questions most of us ask ourselves consciously or unconsciously, and that often shape our lives: how will we be remembered and what will we leave behind? As the song asks rhetorically, “what will I be remembered for, will poets capture it in verse? Or will my words fall on silent ears, pass by, and intersperse’? I wrote it after reflecting on what my own legacy might be. Most people’s legacy are their children and their children’s children. However, if I choose not to have kids then what is it that I’ll be remembered for (if anything). I hope my music will leave a footprint behind! Listeners can take away what they want from the song but hopefully it’ll be a remember to have one eye to the past, present, and future, rather than just the here and now.

“Legacy” takes a bit of a departure from the usual acoustic singer-songwriter vibe. What made you wanna play around with those alternative guitar tunings? And how do you think they add to the whole unique sound of the track?

I’ve been writing in alternative guitar tunings for the last ten years. I find the standard tuning difficult to be creative in and songs end up sounding so similar to each other. Manipulating the guitar makes it much easier to play melodic chord progressions that can stand alone or can be worked together with other instruments. Legacy, and the album I’m currently working on, sounds open, playful, and melodic, which I think would be hard to replicate with standard tunings.

It seems like there’s a significant emphasis on the climax, especially towards the end, in your new single. It transforms from its acoustic sound into something quite stadium-worthy, akin to Coldplay.  When you were writing the song, did you already have the ending planned out as it is now, or did the idea for that epic finale come up during the recording and production phase?

I get the Coldplay reference, but it’s actually inspired by Enter Shikari in songs such as ‘Airfield’, ‘Adieu’ and ‘Dear Future Historians’. They all build from quiet beginnings to climatic endings, and I love the way listeners won’t guess the development of the song. Hopefully we’ll hear Legacy at Wembley soon enough!

Could you share with us the methods and approaches you use in working on your vocals to achieve such expressiveness in your performance?

I’ve not had any formal vocal training to be honest. I practice hitting held notes at home (which my neighbours love…) and often play around with different melodies to find the most interesting ones.

“Legacy” seems to grapple with the desire for artistic recognition and the fear of being forgotten. How do you personally balance the pursuit of success with staying true to your artistic vision?

Recognition is indeed a key feature of ‘Legacy’. For me, with the limited success I’ve had so far, my artistic vision is paramount. It could well end up being just me that listens to these songs and therefore I need them to sound how I want them to. For me, the best artists prioritise artistic vision over everything else. It’s an art-form above anything else for me!

photo by @johntibbitsmusic

At just mid-20s, it’s impressive how deeply you’re reflecting on your life and legacy. What prompted you to explore these themes at such a relatively young age?

I don’t feel that young! I think most people who know me would testify I’m mature for my age (which could be code for boring). Your mid-20s is an odd period of your life where there’s so much diversity in what people are doing. Some already have families of their own, some are just starting out on their careers, whilst others are on the other side of the world travelling without a care in the world. It’s therefore a reflective time for me: what is it I want to do? What makes me happy? Where do I see myself in 10 years? Legacy came naturally out of that and channels those little reflections I have sat waiting for a tube or whilst in the shower.

Could you tell us more about what we can expect from your upcoming debut album? What themes, sounds, or stories are you exploring, and what makes this record special to you?

I’m absolutely buzzing for this album to come out. It’ll be the culmination of nearly six months work! At time of writing, we’re finishing off the last song before the mix and master. In terms of themes, the album delves into the climate crisis and our refusal to do anything about it, my battle with anorexia and body dysmorphia, the threat of another Trump term, and rediscovering a love for music itself. There’s also a story of my great-great-great Granddad, William Streader, who was a celebrated in the mid-19^th century for saving nearly 100 people from drowning. My Dad wrote a book in 2022 about his pursuits called ‘A Testament to Will’ and I’ve adapted it into song form.

The album takes inspiration from folk, rock, blues, jazz, and even metal, leading to a unique sounding collection of songs. The record makes heavy use of violins and strings, featuring a violin solo in one the songs. I’m insanely proud of myself for writing this record. Given a year ago I hadn’t even been to a studio, it’s a major step in the right direction and, so far, it sounds great.

What goals are you setting for your music career moving forward?

To headline Wembley by 2026. Jokes…

For me, even if one person is positively influenced by my music then I’ll be a happy guy. I’m acutely aware of how saturated the market is and how difficult it is to break through. I’m just happy I’m in a fortunate enough situation that I can do what I love and hopefully leave a small legacy behind.

What’s the weirdest place you’ve ever written a song, and did the surroundings influence the lyrics?

I write most of my songs either on the tube, at the gym, or in the office – all of these influence the lyrics, especially if I’m not enjoying work at that period. The weirdest place I’ve written a song is on a FlixBus between Vienna and Prague – the beautiful Czech countryside helped me reflect on life!

“Legacy” sounds very cinematic. If you could choose a movie for your song to be a soundtrack for, which one would you choose?

Such a hard question, because all the best films already have amazing soundtracks. Maybe something like Moneyball, where the film is all about trying to create a legacy for Oakland by doing something unique.

Connect with John Tibbits via Instagram

*This interview was made possible by Quite Great PR