Artist of the Week: John Pringle

Hometown: Charleston, S.C.
Fun Fact: Pringle overcame his fear of stage fright by playing open mic nights at pubs throughout London while working a day job as a commodities broker.
Why He’s Worth Watching: With raw vocals and simple chord processions, Pringle’s multi-layered lyrics express despair without depression.
For Fans Of: Bob Dylan, Eddie Vedder, David Gray, Neil Young

The opening lyric off the title track of John Pringle’s Strange Points of View asserts, “Everyone should lose everything once.” The theme of perseverance over defeat runs deep throughout Pringle’s lyrics and melodies, reminiscent of the most famous defeatist singer-songwriter, Bob Dylan. Much of Dylan’s “Don’t think twice, it’s all right” attitude transfers into Strange Points of View, as Pringle forges through lost love, self doubt and loneliness to achieve a victory of further self-awareness and permanence.

“I am definitely influenced by Dylan, and I think most people are,” Pringle says. “I think if you play music, it is kind of impossible not to [be]. I have a weird outlook on the whole music process. It has been a very hard road so far, but it’s been a fun one.”

Although Pringle’s deep voice echoes that of Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder (one of Pringle’s greatest musical influences), his sound is inherently southern. Strange Points of View has a persistent feel that not only reflects Pringle’s topic of personal perseverance, but also travel, whether through life, time, or down a more tangile highway. Songs such as “Wednesday with Steve McQueen” and “Transmission” are laced with progressive beats that accelerate and dissipate like a vintage car engine. In “Not Enough,” Pringle’s honest vocals paired with a some gentle strums and a lone slide guitar suggest a sense of introspective reflection.

Strange Points of View may play like an easy listening soundtrack chronicling a young man’s struggles and revelations, but Pringle takes his approach to songwriting seriously, at the very least. “I analyze everything; I want it to come across right,” Pringle says. “I’m doing it because I want to affect someone’s life in a good way. I want someone to listen and say, ‘This guy gets me and I don’t even know him, but at least I’m not alone.’”