John Vincent III
Americana artists and their music are genres that have been steadily on the rise for years. Rarely, however, does their cultural impact expand beyond those immediate fanbases. John Vincent III looks set to redefine that. The self-made songwriter combines vulnerable lyricism with rhythmic instrumental accompaniment, producing a unique sound that will appeal to any listener. From the viral love song “Next to You,” which has gained millions of streams on Spotify, to his 2020 cover of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine,” the stock of this artist continues to grow.
John Vincent III: Via Concord Records/Kaitlyn Renee
Born in 1996, Vincent released his debut EP, ‘Mountain Sounds’, in 2015. In comparison to the sudden rise in popularity of many artists due to TikTok - Noah Kahan with ‘Stick Season’ and Chappell Roan with ‘Good Luck Babe!’ - Vincent’s musical journey took a slightly different route.
After touring his 2019 debut album, ‘Songs From the Valley’, with some shows, such as those in London failing to gather the crowds, John decided to leave music. With the global hit of the pandemic, many of his planned performances, Reading Festival being the most notable, were cancelled. As a result, he decided to travel for 8 months in the back of his Ford Transit van. That experience, exploring the beauty of our natural world with a guitar and his girlfriend for support, reinvigorated Vincent to produce his vividly expressive ‘Songs for the Canyon’ album. The album, co-produced by Tom Elmhirst who has worked with Adele, David Bowie, and others, encapsulates the experiences and struggles John has faced with his relationship with music and the world around him. ‘Songs for the Canyon’ is that unique tapestry of melodic poetry which transports the listener to green meadows and open spaces. The album contains an eclectic combination of inner thoughts and outer experiences, all while maintaining an Americana-folk rhythm. John described his travelling experience as a ‘cool contrast of beautiful and painful’, and that can be heard in his emotive lyricism.
In one such song, ‘Lincoln, NB’, Vincent’s poignant lyrics lift above a lilting guitar rhythm: “Paranoia’s just a place to me now/Lined with every thought I think/It crept on in then took over my whole shit.” Whilst John may not be transforming global audiences on social media into diehard country-folk fans, his impact in the industry remains profound. Few artists achieve the dual effect which John creates: transporting his listeners to distant places all the while describing the everyday struggles and pressures of life. He allowed his early struggles in the industry to become a part of his development, and this reverberates throughout his discography. And it is not just an act. Selling his own merchandise at his concerts and gigs shows a humble, down-to-earth guy who is grateful for each and every one of his fans.
John Vincent III finds the sweet spot in music: staying true to his genre in creating an effortless acoustic sound which encompasses heartfelt, emotional lyricism that is sure to attract music fans from across the spectrum. He describes his album as ‘therapeutic’, and that is exactly how it resonates with his dedicated fanbase. Music should be a place of solitude, of peace, and of enjoyment. Vincent’s music does all this and more, a friendly voice in your ear who is relating to your own struggles. He is on an upward trajectory that is only going to gain more and more momentum, from folk-rock fans to those who have never heard the strings of an acoustic guitar.
