Artist Glimpse - John Muirhead
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In conversation with Ontario’s own John Muirhead, a soulful singer-songwriter whose heartfelt lyrics and magnetic stage presence have been making waves across Canada. A Canadian Folk Music Award nominee and recipient of the Ontario Folk Awards' Album of the Year for “Traveller” in 2022, John has graced stages from the Winnipeg Folk Festival to the Philadelphia Folk Festival. Whether performing in intimate living rooms or on grand festival stages, John’s storytelling and authenticity continue to captivate listeners everywhere.
Rob Aguiar - Your journey has taken you from playing open mics to national tours and festival stages. Looking back, what were the biggest turning points that shaped you as an artist?
John Muirhead - I’d have to say that my biggest turning points have been shifts in my mindset as a result of trying new things. I remember booking my first show…once I did that, it seemed so much easier to book another…then I booked my first tour, which made it easier to book another…then I toured in other countries…etc, etc. Changing my own definition of what’s possible through trial and error has allowed me to develop the confidence and grit needed to make my music career happen. Leap and the net will appear!
RA - Your songs carry a sense of deep honesty and storytelling. How do you navigate the balance between personal vulnerability and creating something that resonates with a wider audience?
JM - I think that in many cases, the deeper you dig into personal vulnerability, the more universal the songs become. Everyone has their own unique story, but we all experience the same core emotions. Showing and telling your unique struggles, experiences, and perspectives allows others to connect! Thankfully, I have built an audience that appreciates and understands my vulnerability and honesty, which fuels me to keep sharing.
“My upcoming record feels like a natural evolution in my writing and musicianship. The production value is higher, the arrangements are more thoughtfully crafted, and the vocals and instrumentation are levelled up.”
RA - Every songwriter approaches the craft differently. What does your songwriting process typically look like? Do lyrics or melodies come first, or does it change from song to song?
JM - Every song is unique, but my most common workflow is to collect little bits of inspiration, usually in the voice notes app on my phone. I’ll record little melodic phrases or lyric ideas. Usually, the good ones spin around in my head all day, and when I sit down with the guitar, I either start from the tune that’s stuck in my head or reference my voice notes for a starting point. After that, it’s like a puzzle - fitting the story I’m trying to tell into a melodic framework.
RA - Every artist hits creative roadblocks at some point. How do you push through when songwriting feels like a struggle? Are there any rituals or habits that help reignite your creativity?
JM - Lately, I’ve been leaning on collaboration to power through roadblocks. For many years, I only wrote alone, but in the last few years my eyes have been opened to the power of collaboration. I’ve been writing songs with some really amazing writers this year, and every time I sit down with someone, we make something cool. Often, it’s not something I would release, but it functions as a great creative exercise to get out of your own head!
“Almost all of my songs have changed in various ways as a result of playing live.”
RA - Live performance is a big part of your career, and your songs often carry personal, heartfelt stories. Have there been moments when playing live changed the way you understood or connected with one of your own songs?
JM - Certainly! Almost all of my songs have changed in various ways as a result of playing live. It might be as small as an extra few bars at the end of the song, or as significant as lyric changes, but the experience of watching the audience react can inspire changes for sure. For example, these days I’ve been playing the song “Two Shots” much slower and stripped-down, because I feel that the story and the lyrics are the most important part of that song.
RA - Which one of your songs is most vulnerable to you? What do you hope the takeaway is for the listener?
JM - “Bequest” is the most vulnerable song I wrote. It’s for the people in my life that lift me up when times are tough. It’s for my family and my friends. I hope that everyone that hears it can relate it to their own experiences and that it reminds them of the people they love and cherish.
RA - Looking ahead, how do you see your artistry evolving? Are there any themes, sounds, or projects you’re excited to explore that might surprise longtime listeners?
JM - My upcoming record feels like a natural evolution in my writing and musicianship. The production value is higher, the arrangements are more thoughtfully crafted, and the vocals and instrumentation are levelled up. At its core, it’s still my voice and my stories told through the medium of indie-folk music, but I’ve also experimented a little more than I have in the past. Some of the songs are more upbeat than one might expect, which has been inspired by the many full-band shows I’ve been playing lately!
