Written by The Realist Juggernaut Staff
John Neff, also known as Jon Lase, is proud to announce the release of his new spoken word album, Tethered. This deeply introspective collection of works dives into the raw emotions, fears, and struggles that define the human experience. Featuring stories like I Belong to the World and A World Where We Matter, the album captures a unique blend of personal reflection and universal themes, making it a special and unforgettable journey for listeners. Recorded at The Realist Pix Studio, this album was shaped by a commitment to authenticity and a creative atmosphere fostered by The Realist Juggernaut, where true stories and voices find their home.
About the Album
Tethered is not just an album; it’s a statement. Through spoken word, John Neff explores what it means to be a creator, a dreamer, and a human being in a world that often feels alien and unwelcoming. Each track tells its own story, weaving themes of mental isolation, societal decay, resilience, and the desire for connection into a compelling narrative.
I Belong to the World
One of the standout pieces, I Belong to the World, is a deeply personal reflection on John’s journey as a creator. It delves into the pain of being unseen, the relentless pursuit of recognition, and the fight to stay true to one’s identity in a world that often prioritizes conformity over authenticity.
A World Where We Matter
In A World Where We Matter, John explores the fear of what the future holds for humanity. This piece focuses on the emotional walls we build to protect ourselves from a fractured world while longing for a place where worth is measured by love and connection rather than power or wealth. It’s a haunting yet hopeful narrative that resonates with anyone who has ever felt lost in the noise of modern life.
Why Tethered?
The title Tethered represents the unbreakable connection between humanity and the emotions that bind us—fear, hope, love, and resilience. While we may feel lost or disconnected, these emotions serve as tethers, grounding us to ourselves and each other.
A Unique Listening Experience
John Neff’s approach to spoken word is raw, emotional, and captivating. The album is designed to make listeners feel every word, every pause, and every breath. It’s a call to reflect, to question, and to connect with the parts of ourselves we often ignore.
A Unique Listening Experience
We will release a song or two from Tethered every now and then here on The Realist Juggernaut for our readers and listeners. The first two songs, I Belong to the World and A World Where We Matter, set the stage for the album’s emotional depth and introspection. These songs will only be available here until the full album is released, so feel free to listen, reflect, and share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Very profound, thank you for sharing.
Thank you very much, Michael! I truly appreciate that, and you’re welcome! I’m glad you found them profound—it means a lot.
I turned on the download option for both songs for 48 hours for free. There’s a share button in the upper right-hand corner of the videos. When you click on it, you can see sharing options and then the download option. If you have any issues downloading, let me know. I hope you have a great day. 😎
Speaking of the gatekeepers…
https://youtu.be/EL2dDl6QcNw?si=bsmxSEdfk_Mo27ro
Thanks for sharing, Sheila! Facts and more facts! Another great song! Hopefully, we can rid some of those gatekeepers in the future. 😎
I think we have to follow Tom’s lead. Build our own mousetrap, as the saying goes.
Absolutely, Sheila! Tom proved that independence and persistence can break through any barrier. Building our own mousetrap is exactly the way forward—no waiting on gatekeepers, no playing by their rules for sure. Unfortunately, it’s a lot easier said than done, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Just creating, pushing forward, and making our voices heard—that’s the move.
At one point, I had a pretty large following, but that dwindled due to all the censorship these platforms have done—and are still doing—to us. It’s very unlikely to have no likes on a post. For example, we have over a thousand followers on our Facebook page, yet no engagement. The reality is, they can’t see us when we post.
I have that same issue on Facebook, John! I had almost the limit of 5,000 friends and was posting on my personal page and barely any engagement! When I asked many friends if they saw this or that post, the standard reply was, “I never see any of your posts”! Super annoying.
I do reels and stories, etc. I started telling people, “Check my page.”
Ugh
Yeah, Sheila, I know exactly! That’s what I started doing, but I gave up after a while because people started getting aggravated a bit. So, I know what you mean. It’s frustrating when you put in the effort to share something, and barely anyone sees it—not because they don’t care, but because the platform is making sure they don’t.
Oh, and A World Where We Matter is heart-touching, heart-wrenching at times (that sobbing!). I love the music playing behind your deeply inquisitive words, and the train whistle, ties to your album cover! Love all of this and am eager to hear more!
I am reminded of a rapper, not that I listen to much of his music because generally speaking, I don’t like rap music. But his name is Tom McDonald and he has figured out a way to market his music that is genius.
Thank you very much, Sheila! I really appreciate that. A World Where We Matter was definitely one of the more emotional pieces, and I’m glad the depth of it resonated with you. The train whistle, other effects, and the music were all intentional choices, so it’s awesome to hear that the connection to both the music and the album cover stood out to you!
And yeah, I know Tom MacDonald—I’ve actually bought all of his songs, as well as Nova’s. They’ve built something truly independent, and their approach is inspiring. Another great artist is Dax—I’ve bought a lot of his music too. They all know how to make a real impact with their words, and I respect that. Truth and honesty in music today are more important than ever, especially in a time like this.
I really appreciate your support and that you’re eager to hear more—there’s plenty more to come! 😎
Fantastic, John! I need to explore Nova’s songs, and Dax’s songs too! I have watched more of Tom’s videos about the music industry and how he has gone about getting his music heard than actually listening to his songs! Admittedly, ironic on my part.
I figured you used some effects on your song, but you used these with such precision that it all really works!
Thank you so much, Sheila! I think you’ll really enjoy Nova’s and Dax’s music—they both bring something unique and real to the table. And yeah, Tom’s approach to the industry is just as fascinating as his music itself. Definitely ironic, but still insightful!
I appreciate that you picked up on how precise the effects were. Every choice was deliberate, and I’m really glad it all worked the way I intended. That means a lot! 😎
WOW! We love I belong to the world! It validates a lot of what we have been through as well, John. I love your words, voice, and beats. And the video production is superb too!
Here’s how it relates to us:
https://youtu.be/y3Qi3hSm8pY?si=e8jiSP1yTJj3RRx2
Thank you so much, Sheila! That truly means a lot. I’m really glad I Belong to the World resonated with you both. It’s a deeply personal piece, along with the other, and knowing that it connects with your experiences as well makes it all the more meaningful. I really appreciate your kind words about the lyrics, voice, and production—it means a lot! You and Richard create amazing music as well. Lost in the Glut is a great track, and so are the others. It’s tough being a true musician these days.
Sorry for the late reply—your comment ended up in my spam folder, but luckily, I check it a couple of times a week. Thanks again, and I hope you have a great day! 😎
No worries about timing at all, John. I have learned to trust divine time.
Oh, thank you so much for your words about Richard’s song too! Yes, I was just playing Lost in the Glut a few minutes ago myself. It reminds me of Journey or someone. Can’t put my finger on it.
FYI: I started watching a 4 hour interview with the Rich Man from Richmond singer songwriter (Oliver?) and he speaks a lot about the music industry as a dirty business. I am told the last 90 minutes of it is best, but I am picky and want to hear the whole thing for context.
Thank you, Sheila! I really appreciate that. And yeah, Lost in the Glut definitely has that classic vibe—Journey isn’t a bad comparison at all! Richard did a great job with it.
That interview sounds interesting. The music industry is definitely a dirty business, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Oliver had a lot to say about it. I totally get wanting to hear the whole thing for context—I’m the same way. Context is important. 😎
I’m listening now, John, but let me first say how thrilled I am that you are putting yourself out there in this way! The way of the artist! 🤗
Thank you so much, Sheila! That truly means a lot. Putting this out there has been a journey, and honestly, I didn’t think anyone would like it. The way of the artist isn’t always easy, but hearing your support—and that of others—makes it feel worthwhile. I really appreciate you taking the time to listen, and I’m glad you enjoyed it! 😎
Update:
I turned on the download option for both songs for 48 hours for free. There’s a share button in the upper right-hand corner of the video. When you click on it, you can see sharing options and then the download option. If you have any issues downloading, let me know. 😎
Oh, sweet! I didn’t even know about the download option! Ha!
Learning all the time!
Thank you so much, John!
Thank you, John. These two recordings did for me exactly what you wished. It called me to reflect, to question, and to connect with the parts of ourselves we often ignore. I had to echo your sentiments in a recent Bible study I led. They are the sentiments at the end of “A world Where We Matter.” I had to answer a question with the words you say at the end, “But I don’t know.” There are many mysteries in this life we will never find out this side of heaven. Until then, we do the best we can with the gifts God has given us.
I consider you a true artist. I also consider you a true philosopher. I consider myself more of a philosopher than an artist though I’ve had little worldly training in either. I don’t know how much training in either you’ve had but some things come easier to some than others. I appreciate your efforts. I particularly appreciate the time you’ve put into the work you do. It is obvious to me that you spend a good amount of time on your posts. One thing we can’t get back is time.
I went in for minor surgery today. Last night I was emailing back and forth with a friend of mine overseas and she was sharing with me some of the huge mistakes “Doctors” (in this case psychiatrists) make. She had no idea I was going in for my procedure. Since she was talking about lawyers and psychiatrists, I was reminded of an old movie favorite of mine. The plot is a bit contrived but stranger things have happened in real life. I shared a few clips of the movie with her and a link to the full movie. Because there are so many themes in it that I find in your thoughts, I’m doing the same here. I ended up staying up late to rewatch this movie that I’ve seen more than a few times:
As my wife drove me to my surgery today, I asked God for things to go well and He answered my prayers. You are your own version of Longfellow and it is obvious to me that God has greatly blessed you.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful words, Chris! It truly means a lot to hear that these recordings resonated with you in such a deep way. Reflection, questioning, and connection are exactly what I hope to evoke, and knowing that they became part of your Bible study discussion makes the work feel even more meaningful.
Your perspective on life’s mysteries is powerful—there are indeed many questions we won’t fully understand on this side of heaven. But, like you said, we do the best we can with the gifts we’ve been given. That’s something I hold onto as well.
I appreciate the way you recognize the time and effort that goes into this work. You’re right—time is something we never get back, so putting it into something meaningful is everything.
I also want to thank you for the link to Mr. Deeds Goes to Town. I’ll definitely watch it—I enjoy and appreciate older movies like that. It’s always great to discover films that carry deeper themes and meaning.
I’m glad to hear your surgery went well and that you felt God’s presence in the process. Your comparison to Longfellow is humbling, and your encouragement reminds me why I continue to create. Wishing you a strong recovery, and I hope you have a great night! 😎
Update:
I turned on the download option for both songs for 48 hours for free. There’s a share button in the upper right-hand corner of the video. When you click on it, you can see sharing options and then the download option. If you have any issues downloading, let me know. 😎
Awesome. I’ll go download both of them. By the way, after you get a chance to watch the movie you’ll see why I used the name Longfellow, although I think the name applies both ways.
Thank you, Chris! I really appreciate that. I’m glad you enjoyed them. And yeah, I’ll definitely check out the movie soon—now I’m even more curious to see why you used the name Longfellow. Either way, that comparison truly means a lot. 😎
I feel the same way, Chris. These two offerings from John seem very personal and introspective! I love that!
Oh, I am so glad you shared this movie link! It’s such a great film.