Kendra: Do you remember the moment you realized music was the path you were supposed to be on?

Jonathon Conant: Music was in my blood. With an opera-singing mother, a harp-playing sister, and a cousin who wrote the theme song to ‘Mission Impossible,’ music was in my blood. But, while I loved playing as a kid, I couldn’t help feeling that there was something I had to do first, and music would just have to wait. 

My father was a psychologist and impressed upon me very early that the world needs our help. Thus, I was set on a path of psychology working with schizophrenics, battered women, abandoned children, and head-injured kids. I longed to pursue a music career, but I had to do what I could to help. Finally, I feel I have done my part and can now fully dedicate myself to my passion for music. 

Kendra: You went on to drop ‘Stone Cold Temple’ in 2014 and then it seems like you took a step back from releasing music until 2020’s “Run.” What pushed you back into a creative mode?

Jonathon Conant: Oh, I was creating the whole time. I was finding my musical voice and building a national company that, on the surface, repopularized circus arts yet for me it was all about triggering passion. I quietly wrote songs that appeared on television, learned Afro-Cuban drumming, recorded with third-world bands, and led a trance band called Tantric Rhythm Ride. “Run” came about when I sold my company and finally had the freedom to just write. 

Kendra: You’ve dropped a cascade of singles since then. Are there any plans to release a follow-up to ‘Stone Cold Temple?’

Jonathon Conant: ‘Stone Cold Temple’ was a compilation of life experiences that needed to be expressed at a time when I was beginning to play guitar. I first picked up the acoustic and all this emotion that seemed to be just waiting to flow came rushing out. The pain and shock of losing my father. The confusion of being loved by an abuser. It was a voice that had to be heard but not one that really represents who I am musically. 

Kendra: As for what you have out now, again, a cascade of singles including your latest, ‘Lovers Only Trade for Love.” You noted how the track was inspired by early Red Hot Chili Peppers and Maroon 5. What about those bands do you find the most inspiring; musically and/or careerwise?

Jonathon Conant: Red Hot Chili Peppers is pure energy. I wish I had an alternate life where I could rip off my tee shirt, brandish my tats, and create a wave of energy that people love to surf on. I’ll go my whole life trying to put that energy in my music, but that really ain’t me. 

Maroon 5 is like a harmonic feast. They make deeply satisfying sounds. Neither of those bands are my core influence, for in truth that must go to the great funk bands, and the even great Prince, Sting, Peter Gabriel, and Evanescence also own parts of my soul.   

Kendra: Before that, you dropped “Bad Decisions.” However, I’d like to know what you feel is the best decision an artist can make when in the studio? 

Jonathon Conant: I see what you did there…

Number 1 is you have to be doing it for you. You may never be heard but your heart should be no less full of gratitude for the gift of music. You may get famous and the only thing that saves you from insanity is that when you perform, you are doing it for you and the audience just happens to be there. 

Number 2 is that it doesn’t have to be perfect. The industry has polished the craft to a shine that doesn’t represent even a small percentage of the great music that barely even tries to be “done right.” There are thousands of stations playing music 24 hours a day. They are desperate for content. Learn the basics of not blowing the speakers and you’ll be fine. 

Kendra: You are originally from California but now reside in Costa Rica. What motivated that move, and how is the music scene there treating you?

Jonathon Conant: I moved here because it’s epic! I can grow my own food and drink the water from the river by my house. My view is the ocean and a thousand-foot waterfall. 

There is no music scene here for me. I may create one at some point but the current plan is an Africa-Europe tour in 2024. 

Kendra: Time for a side note: This month I’m asking everyone for a song they listen to when they’re feeling a little lost creativity and are in need of some musical inspiration…

Jonathon Conant: “Purple Rain” by he who has been unnamed. 

Kendra: Lastly, with new music out now, what else can fans be on the lookout for as we roll into summer?           

Jonathon Conant: I am writing a show (3 hours of music) called ‘Soul Train Circus.’ It will be a mix of acrobatic performances/dance/audience participation and, of course, my funk music. The show is honoring and paying forward the life lessons I received about breaking stereotypes, becoming more fluid with gender roles, and finding the rhythm that moves your soul. We will find peace when we accept it. We will find joy when we find we are accepted. 

The post Good Decisions with Jonathon Conant appeared first on ZO Magazine.

Kendra: What an adventurous childhood you had. Texas to Costa Rica, then back to Texas. Now you’re living in Costa Rica again. What was it about Central America that drew you back there as an adult?

Kevin Farge: I had such good memories of the time I had spent in this little town in Costa Rica growing up. Out in the countryside, in any country, the pace of life is so much slower. I love taking things at the pace they come at, just enjoying the moment. There’s a familiarity and a everybody knows everybody kind of feeling that you can get in small towns. I love the people here. I love getting to speak Spanish. I feel like a part of my life is missing when I don’t get to speak Spanish. And I love surfing here, having it be a normal part of my life. Walk to the beach, surf with a few friends, walk home, do something else.

Kendra: Do you feel being able to be engulfed in new cultures has helped your creativity over the years?

Kevin Farge: I feel like it helps keep your perspective fresh and reminds you that there are multiple perspectives. I find that inspiring.

Kendra: Speaking of your creativity, how do you think it’s developed between ‘Ela Li’ and your April release, ‘Halcyon Days?’

Kevin Farge: I think that with ‘Ela Li,’ I was trying to create my own language and syntax of sound. With ‘Halcyon Days,’ I think I was a little more content to do a singer-songwriter thing and bring my own perspective to it than before.

Kendra: Again, you’re a Texas native, you’ve been described as a cowboy in Central America, and you can hear that in “Dirt Road Paradise.” Are you always looking for ways to pay homage to the places you’ve called home in your work?

Kevin Farge: I think I just can’t help it!

Kendra: This month I’m also talking to a cellist. I thought this is an instrument you don’t hear all the time. Then I look at the liner notes of ‘Halcyon Days,’ and I notice that a cellist by the name of Isabel Castellvi plays on it. How did this pairing come to be?

Kevin Farge: I love the tone of the cello. Isabel played on an album I like a lot, Diane Cluck’s ‘Boneset,’ and I had these two songs, “Endlessness” and “Learning How to Stand”, that I thought would sound great with a cello. So I reached out to Isabel to see if she wanted to play on them, and she did. She graced these songs with beautiful cello parts.

Kendra: On top of music, you’re also a visual artist. Does your creative process differ from visual art to music at all? Do you draw from different things?

Kevin Farge: Yes, definitely. But there’s that same excitement of trying to connect with the listener or viewer that feels immediate. One thing I kind of enjoy about visual art is that it doesn’t need words to do its function. It can use other parts of the brain where words don’t really need to enter into your appreciation of it or of having some experience with it.

Kendra: You also studied conservation biology. How do you think musicians can go about helping the environment? Because we all know Mother Nature needs all the help we can give her right now.

Kevin Farge: I think getting involved in the work of a conservation organization in your area is a great way to help. And spend some more time getting to know the plants and animals that call your area home.

Kendra: Okay, side note – with this month being Easter…my favorite holiday only because the candy game is on point, I want to ask if you could have the perfect holiday basket filled with your favorite treat and an album that you cannot live without, what would be in your basket?

Kevin Farge: The Easter candy game is no joke. Is it weird if I say olives? I would like a jar of olives and Maxine Funke’s ‘Felt’ album.

Kendra: Lastly, with ‘Halcyon Days’ out April 22nd, what’s next for you as spring continues to roll into summer?

Kevin Farge: Going through the wash cycle at the surf spot and working on the next album! I’m very excited to share it.

The post Finding Paradise with Kevin Farge appeared first on ZO Magazine.

Kendra: We all have ideas of what a place is like thanks to movies and TV, but what is something the rest of the world usually has wrong about Costa Rica?

Debi Nova: It always surprises people when I tell them that it rains nine months out of the year in Costa Rica. Even though we do have a lot of moments of beautiful beach weather, which is what’s portrayed in most of the tourism images. Costa Rica is a rainy country and that’s why it stays so green.

Kendra: Here in the US we have the staples like The Beatles, Elvis, Madonna. Who are some Costa Rican artists everyone admires on a level like that?

Debi: There are two very important bands that everyone respects; Malpais and Editus. Both have done amazing things for music within the country and outside of the country too.

Kendra: Where is your favorite place to work on music?

Debi: My home studio in Tamarindo.

Debi Nova’s Favorite Place in Costa Rica: Matapalo Beach

Kendra: Other than your career in music, what other aspects of life are you passionate about?

Debi: I love that music has allowed me to work closely with organizations that wanna create positive changes in the world. Right now I’m working with the nature conservancy group which deals with solving environmental problems. I’m also very passionate about women’s rights and eradicating domestic violence.

Kendra: What’s up next for you? New music, touring?

Debi: I just released my third solo album, Gran Ciudad, so this year I’ll be promoting and touring the new material.

The post Costa Rica’s Debi Nova Gran Passion appeared first on ZO Magazine.