EAST MUSIC ROW RECORDS ANNOUNCES NEW PROJECT FROM JOHNNY GATES “24 IN ‘24 - THE BIPOLAR PROJECT”
Showcasing His Genre-Bending Style, the Singer Songwriter
is Set to Release 2 Songs Per Month in 2024
“Fur Coat” and “ Bad Guy” Drop Today
Download HERE.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 26, 2024) - Johnny Gates unapologetically continues to show off his genre bending style with the announcement of his latest project 24 IN ‘24 - THE BIPOLAR PROJECT. Setting out to release 24 songs in 2024 - quite the feat for any creative - the singer-songwriter is committed to releasing two songs per month: one solo alt-country influenced track, and one release from his punk band johnny was here. All of the tracks will make up his double album - Side A showcasing his unique blend of country and Americana influence, and Side B rooted in indie rock. The first pairing, “bad guy” and “fur coat,” are out today across all digital streaming platforms. Penned by Gates and produced by Tim Bruns, “bad guy” is a song about watching an ex get married and choosing to celebrate what you once had while simultaneously moving on. Inspired by his favorite British punk bands, “fur coat,” written by Gates with Austin Luther (who also produced the track), focuses on the attitude of the song as opposed to the meaning behind it as showcased by the addictive rhythm and Gates’ dynamic vocals.
Listen to “bad guy” HERE. Listen to “fur coat” HERE.
“To be honest, I’ve spent most of my career trying to choose between one genre or the other, and I feel like because of that, I was never really fully able to even do either,” shares Gates. “I even ran away to LA because I thought being physically away from country music would help me forget about it. I think what changed in me, was when I started to focus more on my songwriting career, thanks to David and everyone at Deluge, and was able to write country on Monday, punk on Tuesday, and indie rock on Wednesday, and repeat. It made me the happiest, and most fulfilled, to just do everything, and that’s when it hit me, that I didn’t have to choose anymore.”
The tunes are released under the newly announced East Music Row Records, which emerged from the minds of Deluge founder David Robkin, Johnny Gates, and Austin Luther, and was inspired, in part, by Gates’ free spirited creative nature. Gates and Luther cut their teeth as Nashville songwriters, artists, and producers, with a goal of blending the hip, innovative sides of Nashville’s new indie rock and alt-country music with the musicianship, professionalism, and ingenuity of Music Row classists. Gates aside, East Music Row has already signed its first artist, Nashville-based Australian alt-pop artist, Felicity.
Additionally, Gates’ songwriting catalogue continues to grow with Universal Music Group’s Josh Ross latest release “Truck Girl.” Recent songwriting credits include Sam Grow’s cover of Gates’ prior release “Loretta,” Grow’s “You,” Winona Fighter’s “HAMMS IN A GLASS,” and Eric Punzo’s “Broken Halo.”
Other projects from Gates include his EP EAST MUSIC ROW which included fan favorites “Will I Still Love You,” “Reckless” (which American Songwriter dubbed “a testament to the unique blend of country, pop and rock”), and “Loretta Lynn.” NERVOUS WRECK, the EP from johnny was here is out now.
About Johnny Gates:
Johnny Gates has a vision for his music and the music released on his Deluge Music label, East Music Row Records. He aims to merge the more authentic parts of Nashville’s eclectic indie rock scene with the songwriting community cultivated on Music Row. This isn’t straight ahead country, but East Music Row Records doesn’t abandon the music row style of songwriting. This vision matches Gates’ musical background perfectly. He’s as comfortable working in a writer’s room as he is slogging away on his solo artist project or his band johnny was here. The Rhode Island native signed a record deal with a major label as a 22 year old, and though the experience was valuable, Gates wasn’t ready to take on the challenges of fitting into the major label system. East Music Row serves as a haven for talented artists, a place where they can be unafraid to experiment. Gates’ resume makes him the perfect man for the job. He’s been on the country scene, released indie rock records, and even performed on The Voice. He’s acquiesced to the demands of the major label system, but since signing with Deluge, has found the beauty in chasing his own voice—no matter how strange the idea. He’s shaped East Music Row in this image, to allow creatives the opportunities he’s worked so hard to earn himself.
To learn more about Johnny Gates, visit thejohnnygates.com, and follow Johnny Gates on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
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