Husband. Father. Friend. Artist.
John is an Americana Singer-Songwriter with influences ranging from Mumford & Sons to The Lone Bellow, The Killers to C.S. Lewis. Throughout his music career, he’s had the privilege of sharing stages with Switchfoot, Anberlin, and The Rocket Summer.
A founding member of the alternative rock band, Attalus (Facedown Records), his guitar composition helped the group chart on Billboard’s Top 40 for Christian music with their record, “Into the Sea”.
With folk-inspired-pop roots, John’s music invites listeners on a thoughtful journey into the emotional landscape of the heart. He believes music can heal heartache and help people find meaning in life.
Notable achievements:
• Grammy / Recording Academy Voting Member
• 2023 TN Songwriter Week Semi-finalist
Quotes
“John Sierra has a powerful tenor that can soar to the heights that his songwriting deserves. Give [The Wonder] a listen and be moved… It’s reminiscent of the extremely early works of Billy Joel & Elton John where their albums were filled with spare instrumentation, lots of reflective lyrics & their voices alone carrying the songs…
Heavy stuff with lots of optimism. Despite being influenced by many modern-day artists John’s style goes further back than he probably realizes”
– Americana Highways
“A sublime acoustic ride… magnificent vocal harmonies, a delightful melody, and wonderful writing. Imbued with nostalgia, John Sierra managed to reach the center of our hearts with this moving song.”
– Indie Music Center
“We end this list with John Sierra, who gives us a song to feel our loneliness with ambitions not to let it go at any time….If you want peace, this work is the calm we need to let ourselves be carried away at all levels. “
– Indie Criollo
Highlights
- Founding member of charting rock group, “Attalus”, opening for Switchfoot, Anberlin, The Rocket Summer, and more
- Shared the stage with Maggie Miles, Jason Adamo, Paige King Johnson, and Eric Hölljes
- Featured in “the Ditty Dozen” by DittyTV playlist for 10.18
Press
The Story
In his debut album, The Wonder, John Sierra invites listeners on a thoughtful journey into the emotional landscape of the heart. Rich with soaring harmonies, driving acoustic rhythms, and haunting melodies, The Wonder wades through a folk-inspired sound with songs that are unapologetically raw. Exploring heartache, healing, relationship, and working through regret, The Wonder is meant to be an experience for any who would listen.
First gripped by the jaunty rhythms and soul-searching lyrics of Billy Joel’s “River of Dreams”, John was drawn to story. He reflects, “I can still remember winding through a grove of pines as an eight-year old, mesmerized by the voice pouring through the car speakers. I didn’t know then that it was Joel’s lyrics I connected with. Even as a boy, I knew intimately the feelings and experiences he was describing.” That moment became a catalyst towards music and songwriting – a sense of joy and wonder that drew him towards poetry, music, and ultimately, songwriting.
His early twenties were categorized by smoky clubs and raging guitar amps, performing as an integral part of the alternative rock band, Attalus, signed to Facedown Records. This foray into the music scene set an incredible foundation for his music career. But, this season also marks a great recovery of heart for John. After shipwrecking almost everything beautiful in his life, he was careened into the realization he had lost himself along the way. Even the band had become a false identity. Through therapy, mental health, and a recovery of heart, he began to find the life he had always longed for…
And in that place, from that place, he began to write. To share the story of hope, forgiveness, healing, and restoration he experienced. Each of the songs on The Wonder stem from this season: from the recovery of a young man’s heart towards beauty, to exploring the roots of addiction and the power to overcome, to the active choice to push against regret towards a dream.
