Saint Rose Spotlight: John Newhall

By AMEARA DITSCHE
Arts Editor

Just a few weeks into his freshman year as a Music Industry student, John Newhall dropped his first EP titled “Hopeless.” The EP consists of four tracks, all with their own unique sound. The album is poppy and upbeat, but the lyrics are real and touching. Newhall’s writing ability is far beyond his years, his lyricism about love are relatable yet fun.

The EP starts with “Ooh La La,” an upbeat dance track. The song provides a beat you can jam to as well as lyrics you can take to heart. The beat changes between the chorus and bridge
Track two, my personal favorite, is “Conversations in a Parked Car,” the song’s lyrics tell a story in rhythmic prose that makes the song a cohesive narrative. It’s over a slower but still joyful beat that makes for an ear pleasing listen. The words evoke imagery and emotion which is complemented by an emotional sound that immerses you in the song’s experience.

The third track brings a new sound to the EP. “Next to Me” has a heavier sound, showing Newhall’s diversity as an artist and shows testament to his abilities. It aligns more with classic and alternative rock, featuring heavier drums and faster guitar riffs. This track solidifies Newhall as a musician. He tried and succeeded at not only utilizing a genre popularized long before him, but writing about a topic that flies over most 18-year-olds’ heads.

The EP closes off with w slower and softer song, “Asleep by 9,” which is a sweet and heartwarming track with choral singing over more muted instrumentals. The lyrics are a beautiful way of expressing a difficult feeling.

Newhall is from Newburgh, NY where he attended Valley Central High School. He described his high school experience as wonderful and formative, crediting the support from his school’s music and theatre departments for his success.

“Everyone was amazing. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. It put me in such a good spot to grow,” said Newhall.

Since arriving at the college, Newhall has made a group of friends who have joined together to start a band. Currently called “Searching for Satellites,” but with a new name pending, the group gets together most nights to brainstorm and jam; they currently have a setlist ready to perform in Studio G3 this December. Newhall also plans to perform solo in different venues around his hometown come winter-break.

Despite his well developed talent, Newhall has only been involved in music since he was in eighth grade.

“I picked up a guitar and just expanded from there.” said Newhall. As for when he this is what he wanted to pursue, he detailed the time he was able to perform on stage with the band Foreigner. “I got off stage and knew I had to be back,” said Newhall.

Newhall is more than a talented musician though; he’s been writing for longer than he has had any musical inclination.

“In third grade I had a journal that I would use to write songs I would just sing to myself,” said Newhall. He’s also a dedicated sports fan, pledging his loyalty to his home-state New York teams.
According to Newhall, so far the EP has been more successful than he ever could have imagined. When he woke up the morning after he dropped it, he checked the streams and it had already crushed the goal he had set for the first week.

Newhall spoke about how much he has grown as both a person and a musician recently, “I’m not just a kid who wants to get out of high school anymore,” said Newhall.