Kat Harlton
Lead Photo: Mai Tilson
After first making his mark as a JUNO-nominated producer with more than 80 million streams to his credit, singer-songwriter John Fellner continues to showcase his intimate and contemporary sound with the soon to be released EP, Boundaries. Hailing from London, Ontario, Fellner blends indie pop, indie folk, and R&B influences into a style that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern. Known for capturing the human experience in its most vulnerable and authentic form, his songwriting transforms personal stories into emotional landscapes, pairing delicate acoustic elements with the subtle rhythmic complexities shaped by his production background.
I had the opportunity to chat with John about his latest EP, what he hope fans connect with and what’s next.
Kat: Can you talk about the inspiration behind your soon to be released EP?
John: “Boundaries” is a continuation of my first EP “Crossroads”. These four songs explore the complexity of setting boundaries and the questions that follow. “Crossroads” began the story through a younger lens, leaving adolescence and dealing with heavy feelings, some that I was experiencing for the first time. This project deals with the positive and negative outcomes that boundaries can cause, taking a deeper look at the different types of boundaries people create, and questioning our ability to stay true to them. Are all boundaries necessary? Are all boundaries good? These are the questions I want the listener to contemplate when hearing the project.
Kat: What do you hope fans take from the project?
John: Boundaries are often seen as a necessary addition to our lives, but sometimes they can hinder our relationships. There are times where we are going to make the wrong decisions, act upon a vice, hurt the people we love – we are human after all. Ultimately, you are sailing your own ship and even if that means you make mistakes that is all part of the process. I think there’s something on this project that everyone can connect with, as each song highlights a different perspective and a unique circumstance.
Kat: What do you find is the most challenging part of your creative process?
John: The most challenging part of my creative process is that I wear multiple hats and am sometimes pulled in many different directions creatively. Aside from being an artist myself, I am also a producer, songwriter and composer which has me creating in many facets of the music industry. It feeds my creativity to be working on many different projects at once, not just my own. I have learned that I have to be mindful of spreading myself too thin and running out of steam for my own projects. It’s truly all about striking a balance; feeding my creative energy, while not depleting my mental and emotional battery. I’ve been doing it for quite some time now though, and feel like I’ve found a flow that is both sustainable and productive!
Kat: What has been a career highlight for you so far? What have you learned along the way?
John: My song Broke Skin is still playing on the radio! It first started spinning in April of 2025 when I won the Future Star contest with iHeartRadio. It was truly such a surreal experience. I remember auditioning that day for the iHeartRadio team and feeling a quiet optimism. That being said, I just tried to enjoy the experience and knew that winning would be icing on the cake. To this day I have friends and family sending me videos of them singing my song in the car and it never gets old. There’s something childlike about hearing your voice when you are picking out veggies in the grocery store.
Kat: You’re about to go on the road for a few shows across Ontario, what are you most looking forward to?
John: First off, I am so excited to open for Brother Elsey and bring some good vibes to kickoff their show. It will be great getting to know them and seeing them perform night after night. Having these five shows in a row feels like a great opportunity to get into a nice flow of my own. This is my first tour as a solo artist, so it is a very exciting stepping stone for my artistic journey. I’ve also built a new show specifically for this tour, which is both challenging and exciting. I’m incorporating a lot more live looping into the show, to bring the audience into my creative process. Almost like I’m welcoming them into a studio session on stage. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the show breathes and grows as the tour progresses. I can’t wait to see some new faces from across the province!
Connect With John:
https://www.instagram.com/johnfellner
https://www.tiktok.com/@johnfellner
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6UG9kN30jWV7MjmNr9qsPv
https://www.youtube.com/@john_fellner