Jonathan Jones' Upbeat Piano-Pop-Rock Entices and Entertains

For those who are between the ages of 25 and 30 and attended high school in Encinitas, chances are you remember the local band Formula316. If you have grown children between those ages, chances are even better remember dropping your kids off at the NCPC Dome on a Friday night. Maybe you even remember the controversy surrounding Formula316 at Battle of the Bands in 2000, when the then-teens wanted to sing about God in a public school forum and were told not to by school administrators.

For the many fans and supporters of the local high school band from back in the day, fear not – Formula316 front man, Jonathan Jones, is back. With a no-holds barred attitude when it comes to his musical aspirations, singer, songwriter, and pianist Jones has just released his latest album entitled, “Community Group.” “It's the most eclectic I've done to date,” Jones said. “There are lots of strings, brass, and piano all over the album. It's my first independent release, too.”

Community Group is a fan-funded, self-released album. Through the help of a website called Kickstarter, music supporters were able to pledge money to help finance the album and make its release possible. “The title of the album largely (but not entirely) comes from the Kickstarter experience of making a record in a non-traditional community setting with my fans,” Jones said.

Growing up in Cardiff, surfing Swamis daily, and jogging along the Coast Highway 101, it would not be abnormal to catch Jones songwriting at or hosting an album release at as he has in the past with other previous band, Waking Ashland. Now flying solo, influences Switchfoot, Nada Surf, The Kinks, and Semisonic hide in the rich layers of Jones’ new tracks on Community Group.

“(High school) made me realize I had a special passion for music that I wanted to pursue at all costs,” Jones said. “Almost every song begins on my parents' piano. Once I have a melody, I'll usually let the melody dictate the subject matter. A lot of my lyrics are written jogging a long [Coast] Highway 101 to D Street.”

Looking to Swami’s and 2nd Street for inspiration, Jones recalled his musical experience growing up in Encinitas as a “sheltered life.” To a careful listener, however, it is easy to hear sunsets, Beacons’ breaking waves, and late night runs in between lofty lyrics and pleasant harmonies.

Citing “I Am For You” as his all-time favorite song that he has written because of the “opportunities it brought,” Jones continues to receive incredible music opportunities. Touring the country multiple times, touring internationally in Japan, and playing with big name performers, Jones said, “Touring is in my DNA. My favorite part of touring is the people I meet that turn into lifelong friends.”

To learn more about Jonathan Jones’ music and download new tracks off “Community Group,” check out jonathanjonesmusic.com, or iTunes.