Falling for music as an adolescent, Johnny Gates started his first band at high school in Providence, RI. These formative years were well spent, moving from passion to skill in the Providence music scene. Their determination took the band to Nashville, TN to chase the American dream, giving them the chance to hone their songwriting craft and work with some of music’s biggest names.
Since relocating once more to a land of opportunity, Los Angeles, Johnny has toured the US multiple times, including opening for the icon Rod Stewart. He has also become a fixture at Hollywood’s prestigious Hotel Cafe and more recently performing at The Rockwood Music Hall in New York and The Peppermint Club in Los Angeles. He’s now focussed on his forays as a solo artist with producer David Labrel (Ryan Adams, Lukas Graham), channeling his life experiences into his vulnerable and honest music, which perfectly compliments the tasteful musicianship he’s crafted while on the road.
Releasing on June 1st, Wish I Knew You deals with the very relatable message of unrequited love and wanting what you can’t have, with its storytelling deeply complimented by the stripped back folk rock instrumental that rides a very James Bay-esque wave, which altogether is sure to whisk you away into a pensive moment.
Speaking on the motivation behind the track, Johnny states “ Wish I Knew You was one of the first songs I wrote for the EP. At the time, I was in a situation where I was into a certain girl but wasn’t able to say anything because she was with someone else. I would see the way she looked at him, and I just kind of pictured it being me and knowing the real her. I think we can all agree that being a third wheel sucks”.
SOURCE: Official Bio
LINKS:
https://www.thejohnnygates.com
https://www.facebook.com/theJohnnyGates
https://twitter.com/johnnysings
