Exclusive Interview with John Lebanon

John Lebanon began when Roy, a Lebanese songwriter once told he looked like John Lennon, teamed up with friends to create a blend of indie folk and pop rock. From Boston to Beirut, John Lebanon delivers unforgettable melodies that stay with you long after the music stops. Check out the exclusive interview below:

1. Your roots can often shape your journey. Can you share a story or moment from your early life that had a significant impact on your path into music?

Roy/John Lebanon: Growing up in Beirut in the ’90s, before internet or smartphones, and with frequent power cuts, I spent a lot of time watching my cousins play guitar when the lights went out. It filled the silence. One summer at camp, I brought my guitar and performed my original song, “The Lords of Metal,” at the talent show. Somehow, everyone sang along like I was a rock star overnight. That moment turned music from a hobby into a full-blown passion.

2. Did your musical journey begin with formal training, or was it more of a personal exploration? How has that shaped your unique approach to your craft?

Roy/John Lebanon: It was all exploration. I’ve always had a good ear and leaned on that. But I’ll admit, I wish I’d learned music theory. When you’re jamming or trying to play jazz, knowing theory makes life so much easier. Instead, I’ve built my own path by experimenting and simply listening.

3. Who were some of the most influential figures in your early musical life, and how did they inspire your sound? Also, what’s the story behind choosing the name ‘John Lebanon’?

Roy/John Lebanon: I grew up listening to local radio with my mum in the car and some old cassettes, especially French music, which shaped my taste. Friends were into the Beatles, and Dire Straits really inspired me. The name came from a joke about me looking like John Lennon, and I chose to keep Lebanon to own my heritage and it just stuck.

4. What do you believe sets your music apart? How would you describe your sound to someone discovering you for the first time, and what emotions or experiences do you hope to evoke in your listeners?

Roy/John Lebanon: I’d say the storytelling aspect for sure. Most of my songwriting tells stories, often year-long projects. I think of the music like craft beer; some people love it, some people don’t. My sound is I believe an eclectic mix of folk, rock, pop, and sometimes electronic elements. The emotions I hope to evoke are serenity, joy, and sometimes bittersweetness…I’m just trying to capture a mood or a moment I am feeling and make it sound real and lasting.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style?

Roy/John Lebanon: For me, originality came first and grew alongside learning and emulating. I learned songs by watching others play and made them my own. From the very start, I picked up instruments like keyboards and drums so I could play what was in my head. Over time, my eclectic style has evolved and continues to do so. It’s less about chasing a genre and more about letting imperfections and experiments live in the music.

6. Music often transcends entertainment. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

Roy/John Lebanon: Music is definitely more than just sound. It can be political, it can be healing, it can be protest, or it can just be a hug after a rough day. I don’t sit down saying “this song will be political,” but my background, my culture, and the times I’ve lived through sneak in naturally. Other times, it’s just me telling a story or having fun with a beat.

7. Do you feel the rewards of your musical career match the energy and passion you invest in it, or are there different kinds of fulfillment you’re still seeking?

Roy/John Lebanon: The best reward is when someone messages me saying a song got them through something, or that they had it on repeat all week. Beyond that, the journey itself is its own reward….evolving, refining, jamming with friends, creating, recording, and mixing my thoughts into music. That’s what keeps me going.

8. Can you walk us through your creative process? From the first spark of an idea to the finished track, what’s the most essential part of your process, and how do collaboration or external influences shape your work?

Roy/John Lebanon: My process usually starts with a melody or lyric that excites me, sometimes during a jam with friends. I collect snippets, riffs, or lines that feel promising, then sit with them, refine lyrics, test different arrangements, and add instruments like guitar, piano, synth, or percussion. It can take months or even years, going back and forth until it feels right. Collaboration keeps things fresh and pushes ideas in unexpected directions. At the final stage, I focus on polishing without losing that original spark, then mix and master to bring it all together.

9. What’s been the most challenging hurdle in either your personal life or music career, and how has it shaped you as an artist?

Roy/John Lebanon: I lost the ability to walk for a few months, and during that time I reconnected deeply with music. Before then, I was in medical school and music had slipped into the background. That period changed my perspective. Right before residency, I promised myself I’d never let music take a backseat again. During my first year of residency, I released my debut Providence is Divine. That experience anchored music as a core part of my life.

10. On the flip side, what moment or achievement in your career so far has made you feel the proudest, and why? And let’s talk about your latest release and future plans!

Roy/John Lebanon: I think songs should be open to interpretation. English is my third language, so the lyrics aren’t always perfect, which actually lets listeners connect in their own way. That’s often more powerful than me explaining exactly what a song means. As for what’s next, I’ve got an album coming by the end of the year. Some of the best writing I’ve done : simple, soulful, and hopefully a little magical.