Page 7 - ION Indie Magazine NovDec 2020

Interview and Photography
By Marty Haviik FEATURE INTERVIEW
www.arizonathunderphotography.com

Since moving to Arizona from Los Angeles many years ago, I’ve had the pleasure of working with
many talented artist and bands from the Grand Canyon State. I’ve seen some one-hit-wonders come
and go and I’ve seen some really talented bands that are still alive and full of fire. One artist who
has persevered is Jonathan Russell…American hip hop/metal artist/performer, producer, engineer,
songwriter, and experimentalist sensation. I’ve known Jonathan and seen him perform the past
couple decades. Jonathan is a man of many talents. He has played with the some of the biggest
names in music, including Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, P.O.D., Body Count, Islander, Lynch Mob,
Trapt, Powerman 5000, Orgy, Saliva, Tantric, BobaFlex, Hed PE, Crazy Town, Tech N9ne, King LIL
G, and 9 Electric, as well as recorded with some of the biggest names in the industry, and boasts 2
headlining tours. He is currently performing with 3 hip hop/metal crossover bands, and on top of all
that, Jonathan is now helping other artists and bands in his role of producer. He has 15 albums
under his belt and has produced 5 albums. His profound stage presence and riveting performances
are often the topic anytime Jonathan enters a conversation. Jonathan has 3 different stage
personas, one being a dimensional 3D chroma depth black light glow performer. On top of
everything, Jonathan can play a mean Didgeridoo!

Marty Haviik: Jonathan, my friend, thank you very much for for letting me work with you on
this interview and explore deeper into your inner soul as an artist, performer, engineer, and
producer. Knowing you for many years, now I would like to know what motivates Jonathan
Russell?

Jonathan Russell: Keeping my mind active, for one. LOL. I also enjoy making music that can heal
people. That keeps me motivated.

MH: How long have you been working in music and what genre of music did you get started
with first?

JR: I have 23 years of appreciating the art of emotional expression and with sound now. I started
with punk, funk, and metal many years ago, which we called phunk-metal. And the band was
Toyletbol Suicide.

MH: You are currently working with hip hop metal bands Lethal Injektion, Stands With Fists,
and Crazy Town, correct? Tell me a little about each music project and how you got involved
with each and the part in which you play.