J. R. R. Tolkien

Nikola Tesla a.k.a. J. R. R. Tolkien is an absolute revelation to me.

The title track from his self-titled album hit every single mark for me.

This guy is going to sweep the Grammys!!
It’s insane how much talent he has—a total breath of fresh air for the industry..!

I first heard about J. R. R. Tolkien maybe 7 or 8 years ago. I was driving, listening to a radio show with some random guest who had three wishes, and they mentioned wanting to hear J. R. R. Tolkien.

Reality Distortion Field was the first track I heard, and I was dead certain that J. R. R. Tolkien was some American artist or something similar..
I kept the name in my head, Googled him, and downloaded the MP3 immediately..

For years after that, I lived under the impression that August was actually American. That is, until a few months ago when I found out the guy is just a zagorac..
I was floored..
I was speechless..
I cursed myself for being so incredibly stupid with my assumptions..

It’s about time someone finally started a thread for this...

I didn't actually stumble upon his music until last year, thanks to a recommendation from some friends who know him personally. I started out with those self-produced EPs—which I think are great because they feel so raw and unpolished (like those forest stories and the party with Mr. Death)—and then moved on to the 'dangerous waters' album.

Aside from the fact that his genre blend is super interesting, the lyrics are really thoughtful and the arrangements are perfectly mixed. It’s not too much and not too little; it just hits that sweet spot that highlights his best work. He has this certain something that sets him apart from all the other young "singer-songwriters" popping up around here over the last decade. I guess he's just incredibly talented, creative, and imaginative. Plus, he seems like a down-to-earth guy who knows exactly what he wants to do and actually means it, which feels pretty rare these days.

I caught his show at the Convention Center recently and it was killer. The whole band was amazing, and the material they played was top-tier (I have to mention that Steinway piano, by the way—listening to that was an absolute treat). The vibe in the room was electric, too; the place was packed with people who usually stick to classical music. I'm planning to snag a vinyl copy at his next gig at the jazz club.

As someone from the rural heartland, I’m honestly proud and stoked that one of "our own"—or as the media loves to call him, "the kid from the countryside"—has created something this high-quality and recognizable on a national level, and hopefully even beyond. I’m crossing my fingers that he sweeps up all those Disney awards and whatever else he needs to keep creating and breaking through borders. Good luck, Nikola Tesla!

+
The artist actually told me he wrote this song when he was only about 17,
and I think that's worth noting, because it's probably the most moving thing I've heard.

It would be really cool to hear it live and see how a Steinway handles it. 😍

Thanks for the killer post, Lisa Davis46..

I honestly thought I was all alone in this massive surprise.

The man is pure excellence.
The second you start listening, you realize just how much talent J. R. R. Tolkien brings to the table.

swept up 3 Disney awards

Album of the Year and Alternative Album—dangerous waters
a fresh new artist

that guest appearance on ABC News last night

https://www.abcnews.com/news/entertainment/having-an-album/

VIDEO: THE INCREDIBLE STORY OF A HUMBLE GUY FROM THE MIDWEST WHO BECAME THE BIGGEST SENSATION AT THE DISNEY AWARDS 'I'm still living off my teacher's salary, driving an old clunker, and I don't have a dime to my name'

https://www.nytimes.com/culture/music/no-money/10317112/

latest single

I had this playing in the background yesterday while I was digging through an article about him. Just let the YouTube algorithm run wild for about 40 minutes straight. Honestly? A total pleasant surprise. You really can't beat that classic American soul.

Major props to Roger Fisher4 for spotting the talent early—you hit the nail on the head regarding Disney.

Scott Long71 said:Yesterday I had this playing while reading an article about him. I just let the YouTube algorithm run through his tracks for about 40 minutes straight. It was a pleasant surprise. You really see what those folks from the Midwest can do.

Kudos to Roger Fisher4 for spotting him early. You nailed it regarding Disney.

Look, I'm no music expert, believe me.
I just got lucky hearing him back then. There was no Shazam to quickly identify a track, so I just had to commit it to memory.

Anyway, I'm genuinely glad to see the man getting recognized. That he made it.
I wish him nothing but the best—especially good sponsors, solid crowds, and plenty of gigs.

Music: JR August
Lyrics: JR August
Arr.: JR August

This is actually pretty solid—the music and the scenery are both spot on.

I noticed the water by the falls is sitting at about fifty degrees, though... 🕺

JR August and his crew are hitting up Indianapolis for a show in just over two weeks. Tickets are only about 30$13, which is honestly a steal—even if you're making the trek down from Washington, D.C.

J. R. A. absolutely crushed it at Disney!

Pure genius. 👍

^
She took my hand but i forgive Her She Brok my Heart basically consists of just looping the chorus over and over—specifically I Forgive Her. It spends the last ninety seconds just hammering the same thing—
it’s everywhere, honestly. A bit too repetitive for my taste, I guess.

From what I can gather from the lyrics... she broke his heart, and he’s out here forgiving her.

Down by the bend, down by the river
She took my hand but I forgive her
She broke my heart, down by the river
Down by the bend, but I forgive her.

As for the music video... depicting The Last Supper as some drunken hangout—you know, beer, wine, pizza, that whole vibe—has been done before, and pretty brilliantly in the musical/film Jesus Christ Superstar by A. L. Webber.
In this version, JR August kind of casts himself as Christ; Mary Magdalene gives him that betraying kiss and walks away, which leaves JR feeling depressed and pretty pissed off. There are women dancing on a pole, and others crying at the foot of the cross. ☕

That concert at the Lincoln Center last Saturday was absolutely phenomenal!!!🙏🙏🙏

Hit the Vintage club last night for a show, and honestly, it was brilliant. The band plays this blend of jazz and swing, but live? It’s got way more energy and a much faster tempo than when I was just spinning the album. This was actually my first time seeing J. R. R. Tolkien live. If he had another gig tomorrow, I’d be right back there. 🙂

The band was...

Lujo on sax, I think the bassist goes by John, and some guy on drums who I don't believe is the usual drummer you see on his YouTube videos.

Sebastian and Alan handled the male backing vocals. He’s switched up the female lineup, too—now it’s Eve, Marty, and Emma. The girls who used to back him were actually in the crowd, and they even joined in for When I Go Fishing. He introduced them as "six non-pregnant and two pregnant ladies"... 🙏

Nicholas was in such high spirits—total style icon, rocking a green toga and sunglasses 😵. He kept chatting between songs and cracking jokes.

Setlist (from memory)
Dealing with The Pain
Rebuild my Ruins
Dangerous Waters
Deepest Oceans of my Mind
The Womanizer
Exorcist Lonely Distort
Lonely
Distort Reality
When I Go Fishing
Crucify me
Lead The Way

--- Encore ---
When i Wake up Tomorrow

(There was also one fast swing number, can't recall the title)

It was fantastic. Everyone had a blast, dancing away; Sebastian and Alan were constantly hyping up the crowd... just great.

Doesn't matter that he didn't play my favorite, "i forgive Her"... i forgive him...