By Tanvi Shah

Photo by Meggy Kay

John Dorney (not to be confused with the British actor) is back in Boston after a few years to share his new music. Co-headlining the The Lilypad on Friday, January 17th with Party of the Sun, they will be joined by local artist Yoni Gordon.

John Dorney is no stranger to the Boston area — he went to the Berklee College of Music and is excited to be making his return to The Lilypad, a venue he used to go to for jazz improv performances every Monday via The Fringe, making this the debut of his original music in Boston. “I’m very excited to reconnect with old friends and play this new music in a new place, he said”

Dorney will be playing songs from his debut EP, Here Now, that has indie-folk influences with a splash of pop melodies. Inspired by Blake Mills, Geese, and Bob Dylan, he said he “sounds like Tom Petty-ish mixed with Waco and some weird sound exploration.”  

When people listen to his music, he wants “people to feel calm, zoom out, and look at the bigger picture,” which is evident from his lyrics. His favorite line that he’s written is in ‘Take It As It Comes’: “Kick me on the floor; it’s good for business.” His POV on that line is for people to accept him as he is and that he’ll do the same for them. 

Dorney did mention that Boston has changed since he’s been back and that it’s inevitable. But, he has his favorite places in Boston: The Tourist Trap in Allston and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. For local artists, he’d love to collab with Bermuda Search Party and Brady Dallas Jones for their unique vibes and sound.

So, come on out to The Lilypad in Inman Square on Friday, Jan 17th at 10pm to listen to some cool music with some cool people!