CanvasRebel Interview
I recently did an interview with CanvasRebel, click here for a link!
We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jonathan Thomas Maiocco. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jonathan Thomas below.
Jonathan Thomas, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far is my newest album, Religious Trauma Syndrome and the Other Side. It’s an autobiographical exploration of my journey growing up religious, coming out as gay, facing rejection, and ultimately finding hope and healing.
In late 2019, I came out publicly as gay and was rejected by religious family, friends, and community. I needed a life change, so I moved to LA and arrived on January 3rd, 2020, unaware of the impending pandemic. Before the lockdown, I stayed busy to avoid my feelings, but during quarantine, I was forced to confront myself. I began to untangle my past, the religious conditioning, the rejection, and the pain that came with it.
During the pandemic, I desperately wanted to be productive and write music, but I was so overwhelmed that I stopped creating altogether. I literally “broke up” with music like it was a boyfriend. I focused on healing, got a job, and started developing healthier rhythms for myself. I wasn’t even sure I’d return to music.
That’s when Religious Trauma Syndrome and the Other Side was born. It didn’t arrive fully formed; it came in fragments; little whispers, melodies, and lyrics. I collected these pieces slowly, without any pressure to turn them into a project. When I realized an album was taking shape, I decided to work with co-writer Brooke Tomlinson to help finish the ideas. Our songwriting sessions were basically therapy sessions, and together we were able to tell these stories properly. I also worked with photographer Jeff Langlois and creative director Kelsey Napier, and through a series of photoshoots, we created beautiful album covers that challenged me to make music that lived up to the visuals.
At first, I was worried no one would resonate with the album. Working alone (writing, recording, producing, mixing, and mastering everything myself) can feel isolating. But over time, I realized this album was for me. I stopped seeking approval and started writing things that gave me goosebumps, that made me feel something.
I chose to release a track each month so I could hold myself accountable. Some tracks, like Heaven and Better Off, made me nervous to release, but over time, the fear turned into excitement and joy. By the time I released the full album, I felt like a different person. Art continues to be a powerful source of healing for me, and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to create this album.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
In short, I am a music creator! I compose film scores, produce music, and work as a recording artist. I also collaborate with brands, companies, and podcasts; essentially anyone in need of original music to bring their vision to life. My goal is always to help people achieve their creative vision through sound.
I started out by studying music composition to be a film composer, so much of my work has been in the film music world. When possible, I love working with other artists on their music projects. There’s something exciting about taking what an artist hears in their head and making it a reality. I also enjoy partnering with brands and podcasts; for example, I recently worked with Out Down South, a podcast about LGBTQ+ history in the South. It was a meaningful project, and I’m looking forward to Season 2!
In addition to collaborations, I write and produce my own music. My personal artist project tends to follow cycles, like seasons; periods of growth, abundance, and reflection. Right now, I’m in a season of gathering new pieces for my next project, and while I’m not entirely sure what it will look like yet, I know it’s going to be a lot of fun!
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Yes! Two main goals drive my creative journey.
First, I’ve always had a deep love for storytelling. Whether through books, movies, musicals, or stand-up comedy, great stories have always felt magical to me. I love experiencing them and learning how to tell them. So when I write music, that’s my underlying focus: telling a compelling story.
Second, creating music gives me a feeling that I can’t quite put into words…it’s just something that has always made sense to me. When I’m composing and the music gives me goosebumps, it’s incredibly fulfilling. Music is deeply personal for me, and I always find ways to make it meaningful, no matter what project I’m working on.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
About ten years ago, I read A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life by Donald Miller. It was incredibly pivotal during that season of my life and career. The author shares that, while turning his memoir into a screenplay, he realized his life was somewhat boring. He then applied the principles of screenplay writing to his own life in order to creaate better stories. This inspired me to have a bigger perspective on my own life, to view things as a narrative. Life, like a story, is made up of a series of moments, and focusing on creating meaningful moments leads to beautiful stories. That same principle applies to music as well.
Other books that have had a significant impact on me include The Untethered Soul, The Power of Now, The War of Art, and The Artist’s Way. Each of these has deeply shaped my understanding of self and creativity.
