John Sonntag
Lambertville, New Jersey, United States | SELF
Music
Press
A pinch of Jackson Browne and a sliver of Joni Mitchell with the essence of Hoboken and an original fully rich life of living and music and music and living are what make this album a really enjoyable listening experience.
www.skuller.com - Eddie Skuller
It's been awhile since John knocked our socks off with the title track to One More Midnight. With a voice and delivery as smooth as glass, he manages to weave a mood cloak on each track. The results can be haunting... The combination of poetic imagery, melodic dexterity and vocal wizardry make this CD a great catch. - Richard Cuccaro: Acoustic Live
John Sonntag’s, "Chasing Stars" is #4 on Bob Makin's top 10 releases by New Jersey artists! - Bob Makin: Entertainment Editor of Courier News
Every song opens up with a beautiful sound that makes you want to listen for what's coming.
. . . I liked the whole thing.
- The Cucumbers
Tom “Tearaway” Schulte
John Sonntag is a singer-songwriter worthy of imitation and attention. the songs are strong musically and lyrically. They bear well under repeated listening and exude layers of meaning. As his name implies for me, “Sonntag” offers Sunday music‹music for relaxation, recuperation and preparation. - Jam Rag Volume XII no. 19
By Roy Abrams
During the opening seconds of this disc, I thought David Crosby was trying to pull a fast one, putting out a folk/pop album under a pseudonym. Sonntag's vocals are uncannily similar to Crosby's; a clear tenor with a Zen-smooth delivery. Thoughtfulness played an integral role throughout this album, from the core element of Sonntag's writing to the execution, arrangement, and recording of the tracks themselves. Sonntag's gonna turn lots of new ears in his direction with this one. - The Musicians' magazine for NY and NJ July 1997
As a DJ for a progressive Community radio station, I get sent a lot of solicited and unsolicited music and my heartfelt appreciation goes out to every musician who's poured their heart and soul into their craft. Fortunately some of this music, like John Sonntag's "Chasing Stars", is head and shoulders above the rest. Wow, what a killer CD!
--Mark Ostrov, DJ KVMR-FM Navada City, CA - Mark Ostrov, DJ - KVMR FM
...A mix of the mellow, melodic voice of James Taylor, the meaty slices of life of John Gorka and the exceptional guitar playing of John Mayer, Sonntag is an extremely talented contributor to Central Jersey's plentiful stable of singer-songwriters. - Bob Makin: Courier News
I’ve been listening to John Sonntag’s Chasing Stars for a couple of weeks now, and this disc has sure grown on me. It took me a few listens, each time finding another nifty instrumental touch or lyrical twist... Chasing Stars is crisp and clean, like a late fall afternoon. It’s well worth a listen ...
--Chip Withrow - MusesMuse.com
John Sonntag's dreamy folk music on Chasing Stars results in pretty, melancholy melodies ("Count to Ten") and breezy folk-pop punctuated by slide guitar ("Waitin on Time"). Whether showing influences from country or rock, the superior songcraft and crisp production of Stars allows every rootsy beat, pluck and pick to resonate. - Joe Student / PhillyEDGE Editor
Discography
Chasing Stars: 2006
One More Midnight: 1997
COMPILATIONS:
*Jane's Joint NERFA 2012 Songwriting Competition
Song: Radio Song
*Black Potatoe 10th Annual Music Fest.(2006):
Song: Chasing Stars
*First Mayday Art and Music Fest.(2004):
Song: Hey Lou
*Fast Folk Magazine(FF701, Vol. 7, No. 1. April1993):
Song: Daddy Turned Grey
Recent Sirius/XM Radio play:
Chasing Stars
Count To Ten
Spotify:
All I Want To Do Is Dance
Airlines are playing "Chasing Stars" and "Count To Ten"
Photos
Bio
John Sonntag has come a long way from rust-belt roots to the industrial monuments and indie-music hotbeds of Hoboken, New Jersey to points all along the folk, rock and outdoor festival circuit. And the singer-songwriter has gone far from valued session player and onstage sideman to sought-after producer and prized solo performer with hits-in-the-making and a gold-record voice.
Movement is what defines John Sonntag; the assured pulse and groove of his agile masterly guitar and the journeys he takes through his characters lives and his audiences hearts. The breeze and bite of his warm, bell-like voice, which rises to sweet flights and descends to gritty sidetracks, and the high spirit and humanity of his compelling stories, from hopeful starts to dead ends and second chances, transport an ever-growing group of admirers on journeys of their own.
From the dashboard soundtrack of Radio Song to the small-town escape act of It Feels Right to the separate worlds of Time Can Make Us Strangers and the joyful jam mantra of Too Much of a Good Thing, Sonntag knows the American mythology of the beckoning, endless road, and thinks it over with an uncommonly sharp and sympathetic eye for whats on the horizon and what gets left behind.
Sometimes you go the farthest by staying put, and Sonntags mind never stops moving, with even newer songs like the anthem to the small world of a childs neighborhood WIFFLE® Ball getting the crowds cheering in the stands a hit for all ages, with an insistent tune you cant get out of your head and gentle lessons for the joys of everyone joining in.
The songs we believed, tuned in to you and me is how another one goes, and Sonntag makes instant followers of those who pick up the irresistible melodies hes heard in his head. A natural talent with a harvest of gifts to share, hes the traveling troubadour of music-fair and phone-screen, cafe and pub, taking you places and always ready for another, new run.
Youll see him in your town one day and never look back from the road that leads him to you.
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