In 2000, Gotee released John’s debut LP, Are We There Yet?, an album that captured the young artist’s quick wit, personality over fun hip hop beats, along with some darker leanings as well. His second album Hindsight, picked up where his last album left off, exploring his early 90’s hip hop influences while delving into alternative pop. In 2003, John produced Professional Rapper. Some say this project is where he truly came into his own, incorporating more live instrumentation rather than samples and loops. He continued to pen lyrics with personal themes and an increasingly eclectic musical soundtrack on his next two albums, 2005′s The Boy vs. the Cynic and 2007′s Word of Mouth, both of which earned him enthusiastic reviews from the music press.

After nearly 3 years, Sex, Drugs and Self-Control begins the next chapter in John’s career. Produced by John and his drummer, Seth Earnest, the album was recorded at his home studio in Ohio. With live instruments and drum loops John achieves a sound that suggests the influence of artists like Beck and the Dust Brothers. His personality once again sets this album apart lyrically and brings it to life. At times broodingly dark and at other times the life of the party, Sex, Drugs and Self-Control gives listeners a glimpse of who he really is.

“My goals artistically are so intertwined with what I’m experiencing spiritually that it’s impossible to separate the two. I’m most creative when I feel close to the heart of God. It’s only then that certain spiritual disciplines seem freeing and inspiring instead of restricting. It’s only in that place that spiritual disciplines feel like an authentic expression instead of rigid censorship. In a lot of ways this record is a confession of faith and lack thereof.” – John Reuben