Meet John Michael Young

We had the good fortune of connecting with John Michael Young and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John Michael, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Finding the balance between work and music has been an ever-evolving process. In my college years, the battle was between class, evening shifts, and the music. In 2023 I was in a really good place financially and had more free time than ever to work on music, although this didn’t result in actually doing more musically. I began 2024 with moving into my own place and losing my job the same day unexpectedly. While living on my own has been one of the greatest changes for me, I have spent more time than ever working to cover my expenses. Time has become my most valuable resource, and now I am very careful about what I spend my time on. Time is money!

I think that balance is everything. As important as it is to keep up momentum and continued progress with my music, I’ve learned to go easier on myself than I used to. I’ve stopped stressing that I’m not finishing a song on my 1 or 2 days off a week from work. If I try to work on music for a few hours and nothing happens, that’s okay. But my current focus is to get to a place where I can work less and spend more time as an artist, without the pressure of “this is my one day this week to work on music, so I need to make this happen.” You have to decide what is best for you overall and move at your own pace. I am glad I chose to live on my own despite the time I lost having to work more. I’ve shown myself how much I can hustle while still growing as an artist. Overall, I value my time over everything, so I am trying to give myself as much time as possible.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My music reflects the challenges I’ve faced as an artist and musician. I have been in a few bands that moved on without me mutually and it can always be tough to see my past projects continue to grow as I work hard to create my own space in the industry. I have been blessed to work with some really talented artists as a producer such as Jahnah Camille, Asi Kemera, and Mila Degray. My work is characterized by intricate production and layering, as well as really clean song mixes that allow everything to breathe. There’s always more to uncover with my music after each listen.

Under Ralph Laurie, my solo project, I’ve leaned into a darker and more intimate sound. It’s been a journey to grow confidence in my voice, but still don’t consider myself a “singer” more than I am a multi-instrumentalist. However, people have been telling me that they love my voice, whatever that means! With my new music I feel like I am putting myself out there more and am being more vulnerable sonically and lyrically. It’s been freeing to say things I’ve wanted to say and express myself authentically through my art.

Unfortunately, I have learned a lot of difficult lessons in this industry, and I do not trust people as easily as I did before. I have lost friends that were also collaborators. It can be really eye opening and at the same time disappointing to watch a friendship collapse on the first time the relationship is actually tested. It’s really easy to meet and become friends with people in the music industry, but you often don’t realize that your relationships aren’t actually standing on anything. I’ve changed my focus to fewer, higher quality relationships. Invest in the people who will invest in you. My standards are overall a lot higher than they were a year or two ago.

Overall, I want people to know that I am authentic and passionate person. I don’t compromise my core values, and I put forward my very best in all that I do.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I actually just had a friend visit from out of town and I think our weekend was a perfect taste of Atlanta, starting with Blind Willie’s on Friday to hear some live blues. On Saturday I played a show at Smith’s Olde Bar and then we went to the EAV for some drinks and late-night food truck bites. On Sunday we got brunch at Muchacho and hopped on the beltline, making our way towards Piedmont Park. We made a spontaneous stop at Ladybird to listen to a bluegrass band and then grabbed a lemonade from a family run stand also on the beltline. We watched some skate and BMX tricks at Old Fourth Ward before finally making it to the park, where we relaxed in some shaded grass. We jumped on some scooters to get back to my place before heading for dinner at Talat Market, the Thai restaurant I work at, and then finished the night with a concert at Buckhead Theater. On Monday we played tennis in Ansley Park and got pizza at Antico in West Midtown. It was a jam-packed weekend of fun, constantly reminding me that so great things to do and EAT in Atlanta!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to my parents, for always trusting and believing in me. They’ve always said they “never worried” about me and knew that I would figure things out. I am extremely grateful for their support through the years, and even their encouragement to finish college. A lot of people don’t have a family environment that supports the nontraditional path of artists, and many are essentially forced to get a degree. During college, my parents allowed me to make my own decisions, while voicing their thoughts in a way that was never pressuring me to do anything. I know they’re really proud of me and are truly my biggest supporters.

Website: https://linktr.ee/ralphlaurie

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnnymike_young/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/john-michael-young

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ralphlaurie 

Image Credits
Ed Barrios Chris Harris
Nick Spencer of INTUNE ATL