Today, John Splithoff, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and enigmatic musical collaborator has released his highly anticipated album Far From Here via Virgin Records. John released an official music video for the title track - watch HERE.
On the release of the new album John said: “Change is the main theme of this album. There’s been so much movement in my life the past few years that I often forget to take a step back and consider how much has changed. Working on this album at my home and in hotel rooms on tour across the world made me look at this music differently. The record is a lot like looking through an old photo album - reminding me of who I was, who I am, and gives me some inspiration for who I hope to be going forward."
This week, American Songwriter, spoke exclusively to John about the new project and premiered the music video for “Kyoto Snow,” a ‘70s-inspired track Splithoff wrote following a trip to Japan with his wife. They discussed making music for the love of it and “not trying to really prove anything”, John’s comparison to artists from “Teddy Swims to John Mayer to Boz Scaggs” and the unique concept behind the album.
“Once I got the words ‘Far From Here,’ I just felt like there’s a concept in that,” Splithoff explained exclusively to American Songwriter. “Having gone through all this change with moving out here [to LA]… I could see how there was a concept in the making of place and time and how these places hold significant memories for me and inspiration.” John stated, adding, “A lot of the songs on this record just come from a place of searching for inner peace. I think there’s different chapters on this record and different colors. It kind of takes you to different places in 45 minutes. I hope it just brings peace to somebody.”
Listen to the Far From Here Album HERE.
Watch official music video for title track HERE.
On Far From Here John has drawn on classic soul, pop, jazz, and R&B, showcasing one of the most soothing and soulful voices of his generation, with arrangements often focused on his voice and just piano/guitar, a sound he wanted to recreate after performing the tracks solo on tour. Mostly self produced by John, his voice and musical approach recalls the icons of music from Michael McDonald to Sade, as well as its more celebrated innovators like Benny Sings and Mk.Gee. On “Plateau” masterfully blends his virtuosic piano skills with a layered Western texture and longing lyrics and creates a uniquely timeless track. R&B-leaning track “Tangled” and atmospheric, funk-pop of “Magenta (Days Go By),” all showcase Splithoff’s eclectic yet cohesive new sound.
Up next John will head off on a 25 date headline tour kicking off on March 29th and make stops at New York’s Racket (April 11th), Nashville’s Exit/In (April 4th), DC’s Union Stage (April 8th), and LA’s Troubadour (May 3rd). Tickets on sale now, for more info visit: www.johnsplithoff.com/tour.
John was raised in a music-filled home in the suburbs of Chicago and developed a deep appreciation at an early age for the timeless sounds of Stevie Wonder, Pink Floyd, Earth, Wind & Fire, Fleetwood Mac, these cornerstone influences shaping his unique musical identity. He had piano lessons and received his first guitar at 13, teaching himself to play through obsessively exploring the music of the '60s, '70s, and '80s. The catalyst of his music career began in high school when he was passed over for a spot on the baseball team, and auditioned for a vocal group on a whim.
From there he started writing songs, performing in bands, leading eventually to a degree in Jazz Performance from the renowned Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. He moved to New York City after crafting a 5 track EP in Chicago, not so subtly entitled The Move. Playing his first gigs around the city he wrote and recorded a first crop of singles while teaching private lessons, performing at weddings, and singing commercial jingles. This led to the eventual release of his breakout single, “Sing to You”, which changed his life. The track amassed over 150 million streams, landed on key Spotify playlists, and led to John hearing his music played in public for the first time. He witnessed his music climb to the top of AC Radio, alongside landing international headliner spots and festivals.
Despite all his industry success John has remained an enigma and prevalent behind the scenes collaborator, preferring at times to support the musical efforts of offers, in sacrifice of his own. He has performed with some of the great artists of our time, from Sting, George Benson, Ben Folds, and jazz trumpeter Chris Botti on the David Foster-produced single “Paris.”
He had to figure out what would come next. So John made a big decision—actually, a series of big decisions. He traveled around the country, playing his own headlining shows and opening for the likes of Andy Grammer, Gabrielle Aplin, Ben Rector, MAX, and performing at Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo in 2018, navigated Covid lockdown in NYC before he eventually moved to Los Angeles a few months later in 2022. He has continued touring non-stop, bringing his soulful pop style to such high-profile shows including an opening slot for Teddy Swims in 2024.
And from all of this change, exploration, confusion, and excitement came a rush of inspiration, which became the backbone of John’s new album Far From Here.
Far From Here reflects on his dramatic life changes while told through vignettes capturing poignant personal memories. On “Far From Here” Splithoff examines his search for a new perspective with his New York to LA Move. “City Days” which features Chris Botti on trumpet, pays homage to his relationship with New York City at the various stages of his life. Tracks like “Glacier” symbolize relationships growing apart against the backdrop of Montana's natural beauty, while “Oh Betty” tells a nostalgic story about the Buick Century he drove during his college days in Miami. “Same Page” recalls a transformative camping trip in Arizona that inspired his move west, and “Kyoto Snow” transports listeners to Japan, where he saw snowfall for the first time at a temple in Kyoto.
Far From Here also draws on his shifting family and friendship relationships which he holds so dear. “A lot of these songs are associated with a time and place that hold a lot of meaning to me,” he says. “I also noticed, within all that change, how my relationships ebbed and flowed—I felt closer to people I didn't know as well, and I felt distant from people who I considered my best friends and family. So it’s been an eye-opening path.”
Out of the turmoil and disruption, the uncertainty, the ups and downs of the last few years, John Splithoff emerged with a transformation in his attitude and his approach. With Far From Here, he is now perfectly poised to make his musical mark and his striking and evocative album is set to be one of the most celebrated of 2025.
FAR FROM HERE (2025) TRACKLIST
Far From Here
Way Back
Tangled
Magenta (Days Go By)
Glacier
City Days (feat. Chris Botti)
Oh Betty
Same Page
Plateau
Dancing On The Cliffs
Kyoto Snow
Marooned (feat. Maya Delilah)
Tour Dates
Mar 29 Sat - Phoenix, AZ - Musical Instrument Museum Sold Out!
Mar 30 Sun - Santa Fe, NM - Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery ^
Apr 1 Tue - Dallas, TX - The Kessler Theater^
Apr 2 Wed - Austin, TX - The 04 Lounge^
Apr 4 Fri - Nashville, TN - Exit/In*
Apr 5 Sat - Atlanta, GA - Center Stage*
Apr 6 Sun - Asheville, NC - The Grey Eagle*
Apr 8 Tue - Washington, DC - Union Stage*
Apr 9 Wed - Ardmore, PA - Ardmore Music Hall*
Apr 11 Fri - New York, NY - Racket NYC*
Apr 12 Sat - Boston, MA - The Sinclair*
Apr 14 Mon - Toronto, ON - The Great Hall*
Apr 16 Wed - Ann Arbour, MI - The Ark*
Apr 17 Thu - Columbus, OH - A&R Music Bar*
Apr 18 Fri - Indianapolis, IN - Turntable*
Apr 19 Sat - Chicago, IL - Outset*
Apr 22 Tue - St. Paul, MN - Amsterdam Bar and Hall*
Apr 23 Wed - Omaha, NE - Slowdown*
Apr 25 Fri - Denver, CO - Marquis Theater^
Apr 26 Sat - Salt Lake City, UT - The State Room^
Apr 28 Mon - Seattle, WA - Neumos^
Apr 29 Tue - Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios^
May 1 Thu - Sacramento, CA - Harlow’s^
May 2 Fri - San Francisco, CA - The Independent^
May 3 Sat - West Hollywood, CA - Troubadour^
^ with Tonina
* with Evann McIntosh
