Jonny Violet is an American singer, songwriter, and producer known for his indie-electronic pop artist style. He gained attention in December 2022 through a TikTok video featuring his song “Dreamer,” which earned him Spotify verification and over 450,000 video views. Born in New York with Swedish heritage through his mother, Jonny comes from a musical family. He creates his own visuals, writes his own music, and builds his audience through social media platforms. As a digital-first musician, he represents a new generation of artists who control every aspect of their creative output.
Who Is Jonny Violet
Jonny Violet (also known as Itsjonny) is a young music production artist who taught himself to mix, write, and produce using Logic Pro starting at age six. His father is Gary Setzer, a former member of his uncle Brian Setzer’s band. Brian Setzer is a multi-Grammy-winning singer and songwriter known for the Stray Cats and the Brian Setzer Orchestra.
Jonny performed in theater productions including the Long Island premiere of “Fun Home” and the New York state premiere of Disney’s “Moana.” His theater background gave him confidence in front of audiences. He was born in 2009 and started producing at age five. His ability to read and write was placed in the 99th percentile, mainly attributed to his songwriting ability. Growing up surrounded by music shaped his creative approach. As a teen artist, he navigates both the challenges and opportunities of building a career while still young.
Music Breakthrough and Streaming Journey
Jonny Violet gained significant attention in December 2022 from a TikTok video featuring his song “Dreamer,” which brought him over 32,000 followers, 175,000 likes, and Spotify verification. The song marked his transition from covers to original content.
He released “Dreamer” on November 13, 2022. The success led to his own personal radio playlist from Spotify and features in publications including Broadway World and The Times Beacon Record. His electro-pop single “Dreamer” features soft electric guitar, dynamic vocals, and 2 drops with powerful bass, synths, and drums. He created and 3D rendered the lyric videos himself, releasing them on Apple Music, Tidal, Amazon Music, and VEVO. His hands-on approach to both music and visuals sets him apart. He’s also creating Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos versions, offering a premium audio experience. In 2025, he released another song called “WYLL”, continuing to build his catalog.
Musical Style and Influences
Jonny’s music primarily falls within the Pop and R&B genres, with elements of EDM. His sound blends multiple contemporary pop music elements into a unique style.
Vocal layering is used in the verse to add atmosphere, while a layered vocal hook helps build the intensity of the chorus. Jonny cites Ella Mai, SZA, Summer Walker, Ariana Grande, and Shawn Mendes as musical influences. These artists represent the modern pop and R&B landscape. He’s a tenor possessing a four-octave vocal range and whistle register. This vocal technique gives him flexibility across different styles. His ability to hit high notes sets him apart from many male artists in the streaming ecosystem.
Platform Strategy & Fan Engagement
Jonny Violet began his music career in early 2021 by uploading short, vertical singing videos to Instagram and TikTok. His content creator approach focuses on direct connection with fans.
He gained attention for creating original verses to existing songs, with his first viral video receiving over 260,000 views. He created open verses to songs like “Victoria’s Secret” by Jax, which got him attention from artists like Leah Kate and Jax herself. He has a hashtag on TikTok with his unique username which has reached over 1,100,000 views. According to his TikTok discovery page, Violet has around 18,900,000 views. He continues uploading content regularly across platforms. In 2025, he’s been promoting his song “WYLL” on Snapchat Spotlight, encouraging fans to add him and become friends. His audience building strategy relies on consistent posting and personal interaction. As a breakout artist, he demonstrates how social media virality can translate into streaming success.
Creative Process & Visual Strategy
Jonny Violet creates all his 3D animated lyric videos himself using industry-standard programs. His visual content strategy gives him complete creative control.
Apple Music’s editorial team described him as a “social media star” who has gained “viral attention.” He handles both audio production and video creation. He taught himself Logic Pro for mixing, writing, and producing. This self-taught approach means he doesn’t depend on outside producers or animators. His visual branding complements his sonic identity. He possesses a four-octave vocal range and whistle register. His music streaming platforms strategy includes uploading to every major service. He ensures fans can find his music wherever they listen. This multi-platform presence maximizes his reach across different audience demographics.
Musical Background & Theater Roots
Jonny Violet has a strong background in theater and performed in professional productions throughout his early career. His stage experience prepared him for performing.
He developed an interest in music very early and began uploading covers of artists like Ariana Grande and Shawn Mendes on TikTok. His first video uploaded was a cover of Ariana Grande and The Weeknd’s “Save Your Tears,” which showcases his four-octave vocal range and whistle register. He’s of Swedish heritage, with his mother having been born in Sweden. His multicultural background influences his artistic perspective. He began advocating for gender and LGBT equality. He created original songs about political topics such as Roe v. Wade. His music addresses both personal experiences and broader social issues. This gives his work depth beyond typical pop music. His willingness to tackle serious topics distinguishes him from purely commercial artists.
Distribution & Label Partnership
Jonny Violet is partnered with Viaylet Music US Limited under VRG International for distribution. This label partnership model gives him support while maintaining creative freedom.
He releases his music independently across all major streaming platforms. The independent music distribution approach lets him keep control over his catalog. He uploads directly to services rather than waiting for traditional label schedules. His VEVO channel hosts his official music videos, which is selective and requires approval. This shows he meets industry standards for video content. Modern artists like Jonny can reach global audiences without major label machinery. His artist-label relationship represents a hybrid model where he maintains artistic control while accessing professional distribution networks.
What Makes Him Stand Out
Jonny Violet’s ability to handle production, songwriting, singing, and 3D animation himself makes him unique. Most artists need teams for these tasks.
He started producing at ages five to six, giving him over a decade of experience despite his young age. His musical family background, with his uncle being Grammy winner Brian Setzer, exposed him to professional music standards early. This musical lineage provided invaluable insights. He combines theater training with digital-first distribution. His artfully quirky indie-electronic pop style stands out in the crowded streaming space. He creates complete packages from audio to visuals. This fan-first approach means he delivers polished content consistently. Young artists can learn from his self-sufficient model. Unlike traditional artists who rely on large teams, Jonny represents the DIY musician archetype, handling everything from composition to final distribution.
