interview by MAREK BARTEK

Self-styled Rave Star, Jonah Almost is a New York based producer, vocalist, and performer. His work posits a uniquely queer perspective and ultimately shows insight into the evolution of the NYC rave scene.

You moved from Texas to New York when you were only 17. Can you tell us about this whole experience, and how you got started?
I actually got my start in fashion – I went to FIT, got an internship at Hood By Air and began meeting people in the scene who would inspire me to eventually start putting myself out there artistically. 

You’ve worked with some of the iconic New York brands like Supreme and Hood By Air. What have been some of the most impactful moments from these opportunities, and how did they influence you?
I guess I’m lucky to have worked for brands that exposed me to cool shit: fringe references and unique perspectives – artists like Slava Mogutin and musicians like Venus X, who put themselves out there fearlessly. It truly inspires me to make things and share them with the world. 

From Vetements to Jean Paul Gaultier you’ve appeared in campaigns and editorials for top magazines. What has been your favourite modelling experience so far? 
Walking for Vetements was an iconic Jonah Almost moment for sure, and it went on to inspire my song ‘World Trade’. I also loved my Gaultier Pride moment – shooting with Richie Shazam, and getting to put my vocals on the soundtrack Ben Draghi produced!! That was special.

What inspired you to start producing music, and can you share the story behind your first song ‘Aperol Spritz’? 
I got inspired to start producing after a really formative summer in Europe when I first experienced rave culture – Aperol Spritz came after that. A friend put me on to drinking them while in Berlin, and it became a symbolic drink for that summer. I just wanted to capture that eurosummer vibe and bring it back to NYC. 

‘Aperol Spritz’ went viral on TikTok and Instagram. We often talk about these viral moments as crucial for artists who are trying to break into the industry. How did your vital moment affect your music career?
It was a cool moment to see the power social media can have for an independent artist like myself. But overall it still feels like a small step. I’m about to release some new music with label – headroom records out of Paris. I’m really excited to have some support and hope that this ends up being more impactful.

As for the artistic collaborations, you music videos created together with Louis Bubko were exhibited at Comme Des Garçons stores. How did this collaboration come about, and what was the creative process like? 
Those collaborations came super easily – Louis and I basically just spent years running around Manhattan and making videos. So, when the opportunity came up to present them it was really natural and seamless. He definitely has the early Jonah Almost visual archive. I was hitting him up the other day for the password to something forgotten YouTube account we made lol. He’s a genius. 

What kind of mediums do like like to use or prefer to use when it comes to your art? Are there any specific ones you maybe haven’t tried yet but would love to experiment with? 
For me it really comes down to sound and style. I get a lot of creative power out of dressing up everyday and presenting different versions of myself – I feel like that speaks to my creative approach to music too. Basically just tapping into different feelings, creating sonic universes for myself and others to explore. 

How do you balance your pursuits in music, modelling, and art? Do these disciplines influence each other in your work? 
I’d say I’d have more interference with my music, and just the stresses of day-to-day life. Living in NYC is a daily battle, music is my respite. Modelling is just something I do for fun / to pay the bills. It’s fun to get into the fantasy but it’s not something I chase in the same way as my musical/artistic endeavours. But in a way modelling is world building in a similar way as music production. Both disciplines ask you to create a world, and I love to world build. 

Can you tell us about some of your upcoming projects you’re excited about?
I’m really excited to release this new EP project with headroom – I’m still working on a name for it… but the two singles will be called Cleancut and Selfish. Selfish is my first collab with my friend Rubby, he’s a great singer and I’m happy we finally got something made together. Overall, It’s been exciting to develop a strategy, really honing the process of releasing music beyond just producing beats in my bedroom. It’s definitely reinvigorated my practice. 

What are your goals for the future? Do you see yourself growing further in industries like music and modelling or would you like to explore different paths for you? 
I’m excited to keep expanding with music, I really feel like I’m just beginning and I have more story to tell. Aside from that I’ve also been working on acting – taking lessons etc. I’m acting in a short film called Red Milk, I get to take Muay Thai lessons for these fight scenes I’m gonna be in, it’s gonna be sick…and I guess I’d love to shoot for another campaign, a badass fragrance or something with a lot of fantasy that I can play with. It’s all about world building for me. 

TEAM CREDITS:
talent JONAH ALMOST
photography JESSE JAMES THOMPSON
styling and creative direction DONTÉ MCGUINE
grooming JENNY SAUCE
producer BRADLEY VOISSEM
executive producer KENDALL WERTS
editor-in-chief TIMOTEJ LETONJA
interview MAREK BARTEK