John Allan still vividly remembers his first piano lesson. The way his heart beat a little faster with every note. “I was just a kid, but I remember God’s presence meeting me there,” Allan says. “From there, I think it’s always been about chasing God in music and trying to find His heart in it.”
Growing up in Southern California, Allan’s home was filled with ’80s music and his mother’s favorite Keith Green records. As Allan took more lessons, learned more instruments and started writing songs as a teenager, he quickly discovered artists like The Killers, The National, Gang of Youths, Bon Iver and Novo Amor.
It’s this eclectic mix of indie rock, alt-pop and nostalgic riffs that converge to color Allan’s music. Lyrically, however, his original songs are a reflection of his church-centric upbringing. His parents were both zealous believers who passed on their love for the local church to their son. To this day, Allan still resides in SoCal and leads worship at his local church, a role he cherishes.
Faith came easily and early for the naturally curious kid. “I’ve always been so fascinated by God and who He is,” shares Allan, whose idyllic childhood included countless nights spent at Disneyland. “I’ve always felt drawn to music, but I think beyond music, it’s always been art — whether it’s pictures, melodies, lyrics, poetry, movies, television, scripts… I’ve loved it. So, the fact that I can even desire to create art, well, that’s just God planting that desire for His glory.”