In the vibrant word of Music, only a few artists manage to capture the complexities of human emotions as profoundly as Jonny Akamu. With his latest release Dark Heart, he takes us through his emotion as he channels his experience into his art.
In this interview, we look into how his personal journey has influenced his artistry. Join us as we uncover the heart and soul of Jonny Akamu’s remarkable musical journey.
Cocomyrrh: Congratulations on your new release.
Can you tell us a little about your inspiration behind Dark heart?
Jonny Akamu: Thank you! This song is a letter to my younger self. I was the misunderstood ADHD kid that struggled with depression. This came from that difficult time of life.
Cocomyrrh: Living with ADHD, correct me if I’m wrong but doesn’t that present challenges in maintaining focus especially when it comes to creative tasks like songwriting? How did you focus on writing? Was it much of a challenge?
Jonny Akamu: Yes, learning how to focus with ADHD is difficult. However, it also can help you super focus on one task. This tends to happen with me when I create. I can’t think about anything else until the project is done. I learned to use this to my advantage as well as set realistic expectations. Like how long something takes is irrelevant. It’s done when it’s done. This makes the creative process so much more enjoyable.
Cocomyrrh: Are there specific environments or tools that enhance focus during your writing process?
Jonny Akamu: My favorite tool is a saying my dad would say. “inch by inch life’s a cinch yard by yard life is hard”
Cocomyrrh: You mentioned being depressed, how did you get out of that phase
Jonny Akamu: Writing music. I let that do all the talking.
Cocomyrrh: What emotions were you planning to convey through Dark heart?
Jonny Akamu: I was trying to convey hope. Even though things are dark, it doesn’t mean you have to stay there. The bridge was meant to be a cry out to the dark heart to keep fighting.
Cocomyrrh: What was your childhood like and how has your childhood shaped your identity today as an artist?
Jonny Akamu: Like I said before, I was the greatly misunderstood and left to figure out a lot of stuff on my own. The guitar and songwriting became an outlet to get through all of that.
Cocomyrrh: Are there any challenges? How have you been able to overcome them?
Jonny Akamu: Yes, I have been able to overcome them. By the grace of God and my love of music, I have found peace.
Cocomyrrh: Do you sometimes zone out mentally when writing? Does it take you a long time to complete a project?
Jonny Akamu: Yes, sometimes. But that’s because some things just take time.
Cocomyrrh: You mentioned that music is healing for you, how does that happen?
Jonny Akamu: Well, I think we can all agree that music reaches deeper than anything. Nothing comes close to touching our soul and drawing us to something more beautiful.
Cocomyrrh: Would I be right to say Music for you was an escape and a beam of light for you since you did mention it brought you peace?
Jonny Akamu: Yes!
Cocomyrrh: How does Dark heart reflect your journey of healing?
Jonny Akamu: Hmm! I’m not sure. I wasn’t actually aware I was writing this song to my younger self until after I released it. The song just flowed, and it took some deep self-awareness to come to that conclusion.
Cocomyrrh: What has been the most rewarding moment in your career so far? Any highlight?
Jonny Akamu: I have had the privilege of playing some great indie bands and got to play some local venues like the Triple Door a few times. I also got 65k views from an instrumental version of Blackbird. Check it out on YOUTUBE
Cocomyrrh: What’s next? Are there any themes or topics you want to explore in future through your music?
Jonny Akamu: Not sure. I mainly just write for fun and occasionally release a new song now and then.
Cocomyrrh: What’s your message to the world and people who also struggle with ADHD? Any inspiring words?
Jonny Akamu: Yes! ADHD is a gift. It allows us to think and dream with boundless creativity. The key is learning how to manage it. Learning to set up expectations. More importantly, learning how to learn from a mistake. ADHD allows you to think about so many possibilities at once. You just have to practice weeding through them and finding your groove. ADHD is a superpower, not a disability.
Cocomyrrh: I just want to take a moment to acknowledge your strength and to say that I’m pretty sure your younger self would be proud of the artist you’ve become. I do look forward to hearing more inspiring music from you.
Jonny Akamu: Thank you!
Thank you for joining us for this interview.
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