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Meet John Hohnhorst of Black Wolf Sound in Glendale

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Today we’d like to introduce you to John Hohnhorst.

John, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
As much as I would love to tell you my whole life story, we will save that for another day. Let’s start this story with the day I found my love for music. I was a current college student of the College of Idaho. I was living out another dream of playing college football. After about my fifth injury, and a surgery, I finally decided it was time to move on. Of course, this led to a big identity crisis. Who am I beyond the football field? In September of 2015, one of my best friends, Jason, asked me if I wanted to go to a rave. With not knowing what to do with myself, I was ready for something new. I had no idea what type of magical night I was in for.

My first show was Kayzo, Borgore, and Zomboy. I was truly captivated by not only the music but the people. I remember having the thought “Now these are my people.” The very next day, I started the process of learning how to mix and produce. The first day I sat down to produce, I couldn’t believe how fast the day went by. I experienced one of my first creative flows. I was hooked.

College became very useless to me as all I wanted to do was go to shows and figure out everything I could about music. As my final year of college was coming to an end, I was now forced with the question; “What next?” I ended up planning a trip with Jason to Colorado to experience the famous Red Rocks. As anyone who has experienced Red Rocks, I fell in love. I fell in love with the venue and the Colorado people. This is what sparked my interest in coming to Colorado. I was still keeping my options open as I was now on the hunt for a music school. I didn’t get too far though. One of my friends lived in Boulder and knew about a music school called Keep Music Going (KMG). It was love at first tour. I couldn’t believe what I was experiencing. I never had really been in music studios before. Mitch Zonnefeld was a big reason for me getting down there. Love you Mitch 🙂 I eagerly waited for a couple months to get out to Colorado. My mom fought me up until the last day until she finally realized that this was not just some phase for me. This is my passion. This is my purpose.

I finally made my way to Colorado. I moved all my stuff into my new place and not even three days later, I had my first adventure working security for Arise music festival. This will forever be a staple point in my music and who I am as a person. A truly beautiful festival. There was a lot that I sacrificed right off the bat for this dream of mine. I moved to Colorado with just my dog and all that would fit in my car. The music journey felt like it truly had begun. I lived in Longmont for about six months. I woke up and did the same 2-hour routine for three months straight as I was not only on this music journey but on a journey of self-exploration. As I continued to learn every day, I continued to develop my sound and myself. I slowly began to play shows and meet other artists in the area, finding any little thing I could do to be involved. I ended up going to Imagine Music Festival with an amazing non-profit group called EDM Cares. This was my first experience going to a festival as a vendor and safe to say this changed my life. At the end of the festival, I ended up backstage while Oliver Heldens was bringing the entire festival to a close. The people who put it on were popping bottles and celebrating their successful festival. It was truly something beautiful to experience.

As I graduated from KMG and moved into my own career, I started to get some bigger shows. Another magical moment was when I landed my first traveling show to Florida. I actually ended up getting this gig because one of my friends, Thys(bless you), met my new homies who were part of a group called MusicFests365 at EDC LV. He asked them to check out my music which lead to a Denver show, which then to one of the funnest experiences my music has brought me. This all happened right before Corona Virus hit.

Though 2020 has been an unbelievably challenging year for this world, the first few months were the funnest months of my life. I was having big shows, a fan base was being created, one of my favorite artists (INZO) played one of my tracks, and so much more. Though this momentum had come to a screeching halt, I still am constantly moving forwards and looking for anything I can do to reach my community and those who are ready to join this community of truth and love.

I am so unbelievably blessed and honored with all that has found me. Though there is a lot we need to take care in this world, I am excited to do my part and push love as far as I can go. As you will find throughout my social media, I truly believe that

 The Power of Love Can Change The World

Has it been a smooth road?
I would say that there have been both big obstacles and some really magical moments that felt like a dream. The struggles that I faced were what a lot of artists face. The constant questioning on if this was going to happen or not. As a college athlete who was very discouraged to even try music at a younger age, I would have thoughts come up of if I would be good enough. I constantly was terrified to put myself out there but pushed through and kept going. I also have had many personal struggles along the way. I lost my dad in 2012 and that has lead to quite a bit of anxiety and suicidal thoughts. I will say though when I moved to Colorado and started to really dive into myself, I began to gain control of these thoughts and feelings. They will probably always be there but music has taught me how to process my life. I spend a lot of time in isolation so I am constantly working on myself and trying to grow. My music is me. My songs come from my feelings on life. I aim to empower and to heal. These obstacles become small hurtles as I stare them down and run at them full speed.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Black Wolf Sound is a musical experience. When you come to a Black Wolf show, you will be going on a cinematic journey of empowerment and love. I am known for my very different ‘off grid’ style of music. My music has gained structure over the years but it purely emotion-driven. My music comes straight from my heart. I have had many people ask me what I call it and I really have no answer except for “My soul”.

I am most proud of the ability to empower people. There is no better feeling than to have people come up to you and say your music touched them. Seeing people light up because of your creations is truly one of the best feelings in the world.

I would say I am different because I truly crave to connect and empower with those ready to dive into Black Wolf Sound. I would say my ability to find the light in others, and show it to them, is the best thing I can do as an artist.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I 100% think Denver is the perfect place for a musician. Especially one who is trying to do something different and unique. The ability to find a place and put on an event is unreal. I would highly recommend Denver to anyone trying to find themselves and their sound.

Pricing:

  • Ableton Courses for $10 an hour

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
Jon Rainey
MusicFests365

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