Get ready to embark on a journey through the mesmerizing realm of collaborative artistry with none other than the sensational John Galea. In this EP, aptly titled “Harmonic Fusion: The John Galea Collaborations,” we delve into the depths of musical synergy and creative ingenuity. Join John Galea and his eclectic lineup of collaborators as they weave a tapestry of sonic brilliance, seamlessly blending the past and present to craft an unforgettable musical experience. From nostalgic melodies to soul-stirring ballads, each track bears the hallmark of collaborative magic, inviting you to immerse yourself in a world of harmonious fusion. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the captivating soundscape of “Harmonic Fusion” and witness the musical genius of John Galea in full bloom. Let the journey begin!
Congratulations on the release of your new EP, “The Art of Collaboration”! Could you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind bringing together the past and present of your career in this project?
Thank you—I love working with other musicians and producers, and this project has been so exciting to put together. You learn so much from others, and after working on the recent track ‘Don’t Wanna Die’ with Ironik, I remembered all the amazing experiences I’ve been lucky enough to have with working with the likes of Scorcher & TJ Dreamz, and thought it would be a great idea to have an EP that put them all together in one place.
“Old School Love” featuring Nate James seems to evoke a nostalgic feel. What was the creative process like for this song, and how did the collaboration with Nate James come about?
When I wrote the song, I think I was in that nostalgic vibe, and the song is about a past relationship, remembering the good times and wanting to have them again, so we knew it needed a retro vibe sound. Talking to Oscar Lo Brutto, the producer, we thought it needed a soulful voice, and Nate popped into my head. I worked with Nate’s original producer before, David Brant, on tracks before, so there was a connection. When I reached out to Nate, he was really excited for the track. We got into the studio, and he brought that soulful vibe that the track needed. He’s got such a talented voice.
“Don’t Wanna Die” featuring Ironik explores the theme of unrequited love. Can you share more about the storytelling and collaboration process behind this track?
‘Don’t Wanna Die’ was written a while ago, and like most of my songs, it’s about a turbulent relationship that you can’t let go of even though it’s bad for your health. We had the solo version completed for a while, but again, I thought it could use a different vibe for the middle eight—it needed another edge. I already worked with Ironik’s manager in the past, and Ironik was suggested for a feature, and I thought it would be a great idea. Luckily, we use the same studio sometimes, so it was really easy to get together and lay his part down, and it really took the track to another level.
“Golddiggin” featuring Scorcher seems to have a different vibe compared to your other songs. How did the collaboration with Scorcher influence the overall sound of the track?
I was very lucky to work with the brilliant Grammy-nominated production team The Monarch on this track. They have worked with everyone from Kelly Clarkson to Rita Ora, who they had a Number 1 with, and their sound on this track was more clubber than I was used to. When I wrote the song, I wanted a dance floor filler and felt the track could use some edge as it was very USA sounding, so a producer I know who works suggested Grime Rapper Scorcher, and although he works in Grime, he was doing crossover Pop songs at the time, so it was a perfect fit really.
“Trailblazer” featuring Maya Miko showcases your ability to collaborate with newcomers. What drew you to work with Maya Miko, and what was the experience like working together on this song?
I love working with all kinds of artists—signed, and unsigned. If talent is there, talent is there! I worked with Maya on one of his previous songs, Jack ‘n’ Jill, way back in the day, and I always said one day he could do a feature on one of my EPs, and this track came up. I had already performed the track on T.V in Malta last year, and so when it came to remaking it for the EP, I thought Maya would work really well on the track. He’s a very talented rapper!
“Drunk On U” featuring TJ Dreamz highlights both your vocal prowess and TJ Dreamz’s flow. How did this collaboration enhance the dynamic of the song?
Again, another amazing newcomer who blew me away when we got into the studio. It was my first-ever collaboration with another artist on a track, and I didn’t know what to expect, but he came in, and his delivery of his verse was exceptional. He gave that extra spice that the track needed, and filming the music video with him helped ease the process, which, as any fan of mine knows, was my least favourite music video to film.
“Hero Within You” with Hannah Long gets a new Club Junkies remix on this EP. What prompted the decision to remix this particular song, and what do you hope listeners will take away from this version?
We had such amazing unexpected success with Hero Within You—my 1st iTunes Number 1—and when it was released during COVID, no one saw it topping the charts, especially around those times. It was such a joy to experience that with such a talented singer as Hannah. I’ve worked with the Club Junkies a few times before, and this remix is something very special—it breathes new life into the song that you can really dance to.
You’ve written and produced all six tracks on the EP. Can you walk us through your creative process and how you approached crafting each song?
They all start with me and piano, and the journey goes on from there. That’s the exciting part—depending on who I am working with, be it a producer, songwriter, etc., the journey is all different. It’s like seeing your children grow into who they are, and they all have their individual journeys. I love building tracks in the studio from the stems to laying BV’s and piano parts—I really feel at home in the studio.
Your music often touches on personal experiences, such as the passing of your mother and overcoming cancer. How do these experiences influence your songwriting, and how important is it for you to share your truths through your music?
Every song I write comes from a true honest story—be that a person or place. In a way, songwriting is a form of therapy for me. Songs like ‘I Am a Survivor’ or ‘White Dove’ are proof for that, and the fact that the songs seem to resonate with people is an extra blessing. Honesty & credibility are important themes in my songwriting for sure.
As a classically trained pianist with diverse cultural influences, how do you incorporate these elements into your music, especially when collaborating with other artists?
Classical music is a key tool I use in all my music, be it the theory I learned with Classical music which underpins all my music when it comes to chord progressions, modulations, or classical riffs on songs like ‘Notes From My Piano’. On ‘Hero Within You’—working with Classically trained Hannah Long was such a fun experience because in the studio both worlds collided. I do love a good key change!
You’ve been a positive role model for the bisexual community and have performed at various Pride events. How does your identity inform your music, and what message do you hope to convey to your audience, particularly those within the LGBTQ+ community?
Bi Visibility is such an important issue for me. As an LGBTQIA+ Artist growing up in Great Yarmouth, there wasn’t that much diverse representation, so anything I can do to raise awareness or support the community I am 100 per cent down for. So in my music & songwriting, it comes out as well as the music videos and even before I let everyone know what I was championing the community – if you see my first music video Do It My Way in 2011 – I argued with my management at the time hard to make sure there was LGBTQIA+ black representation in it long before I ever came out. Hopefully, my music can relate to people in the community whatever stage of their journey that they are at.
Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations for your music career, and are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re excited about?
I am currently working on my debut album and looking to release it soon. I want to make sure I have the right team onboard though. It’s not easy as an independent artist but I do think as an artist I am ready to take the next stage in my music. I can’t wait to share my new music – they are the rawest and most honest songs I’ve ever written.
