John Splithoff

John Robert Splithoff (born June 5, 1990) is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and music producer from Chicago, based in Los Angeles. He released his debut studio album All In in 2021 after a number of EPs and singles starting in 2013, including the 2016 Billboard top 10 hit "Sing To You". His second full-length album, Far From Here, was released March 21, 2025. He graduated from Glenbrook South High School in 2009.

He was inspired by many different genres of music growing up, with his family constantly playing the music of Marvin Gaye, Earth Wind & Fire, The Doobie Brothers, Sade, Pink Floyd, and James Taylor around the house. He returned in 2021 to headline Frost Music Fest '21, the first concert held at the school after the COVID-19 quarantines.

Career Splithoff moved to New York City in 2013 after recording his five-track debut EP The Move in Chicago. He began performing professionally at clubs like The Bitter End, Rockwood Music Hall, and Mercury Lounge. He continued to write and record his own music while performing around the city as a full-time gigging musician. The song received nearly 200,000 plays on SoundCloud. Music blog Soulbounce called it "a midnight steamer that slinks on synths and R&B sensibility," adding that "he's got a lotta soul in him and has a keen ear to the old school like Mayer Hawthorne."

"Sing To You" Splithoff's breakthrough single was 2016's "Sing To You", another co-production with Noiseclub. The song reached No. 10 on Billboard magazine's Adult Contemporary singles chart on July 14, 2018, and peaked at No. 8 on the Adult Contemporary charts. He later released an acoustic version, as well as a solo performance video filmed under a train overpass in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood.

"Show Me" Splithoff followed "Sing To You" with the 2017 single "Show Me", a duet with Nashville-based singer-songwriter Madison Ryann Ward. Billboard writer Taylor Weatherby wrote that "Show Me" "continues the upbeat vibe he introduced with 'Sing To You'" while evolving in a more dance-oriented direction. AllMusic's Erlewine agreed, writing that the song "pared down some of [Splithoff's] rock influences and increased the electronic gloss", a stylistic change that would continue throughout his later career. Splithoff would later amicably part ways with the label and return to releasing music independently, citing burnout after the experience of trying to craft a commercial followup to ‘Sing To You’, telling one interviewer that "I kind of felt my writing had changed to the point where it didn't feel like me."

In 2020, Splithoff released two EPs, Go Somewhere and Good To See You. In an interview with American Songwriter, Splithoff described All In as half extroverted and half introverted, "a balance of outwardly confessional love songs with self-analytical inner turmoil." The music blog Soulstrutter rated All In 7.4 out of 10. In keeping with the song's theme of being grateful for loved ones, it was compiled from 50 years of home recordings of Splithoff's family.

The song "Fahrenheit," released as a single just before All In and later on the album itself, was co-written and co-produced with Alex Mendoza, who previously produced SHAED’s 2018 hit “Trampoline”. Matt Wallock of American Songwriter praised the song's "buoyant guitar, dreamy synths, and lush beats" and called Splithoff's vocals "soaring and sensual." Carolyn Droke of Uproxx called "Fahrenheit" "fiery" and "irresistibly smooth."

In April 2021, Splithoff's song "Raye" was performed by American Idol contestant Graham DeFranco on the first episode of the show's 19th season. USA Today writer Charles Trepany called the rendition "groovy."

In 2024, Splithoff released the single "Way Back."

In 2025, Splithoff released a pair of singles, "Tangled”/“Magenta (Days Go By)" and "Plateau”/“Same Page", in advance of his album Far From Here, which will be released March 21, 2025 on Pleasant Lane Music/Virgin Records. A video for "Magenta" premiered on the website of the music magazine Relix.

Chris Botti and other collaborations Splithoff has worked frequently with Grammy-winning jazz trumpeter Chris Botti, including writing the romantic ballad "Paris" on Botti's 2023 album Vol. 1, produced by David Foster. Reviewer Bobby Patrick of BroadwayWorld called "Paris" "uber-romantic" and said that "Splithoff's soothing but precise vocals and poetry of the words make this a song for lovers walking in the city of lights." Splithoff has also performed as a member of Botti's live band, including his 2024 world tour, with appearances and on-stage performances with performers including Sting, David Foster, Katherine McPhee, and comedian Caroline Rhea.

Splithoff's other collaborations include co-writing Jeff LeBlanc's 2018 single “Way You Are” with LeBlanc and Stephen Gause. Splithoff guested on the song "See Me Here, See Me Now" on LA-based synth pop duo Great Good Fine OK's 2021 EP Great Good FIVE OK. Noah Wade of Melodic Magazine praised the song as reminiscent of John Mayer, calling it "a funky tune with a killer melodic line", and said that Splithoff's solo was "expertly crafted." Erika Isaacs of the website Unheard Gems called it the "perfect mix of an upbeat and head-bobbing instrumental with lyrics of fresh heartbreak." Splithoff also played guitar on R&B singer Khaki's single "Other Side" and New York-based band East Love's 2019 single "Sunday Afternoon". Splithoff sang on rapper YONAS’s 2021 single "Glory".

Streaming and international success Splithoff has had considerable success on streaming services such as Spotify, Pandora, and at Adult Contemporary radio. The website Music Metrics Vault has estimated that Splithoff's songs have been streamed more than 150 million times as of May 2024. He has been profiled by music publications such as American Songwriter In 2021, South Korean K-pop star Yunho performed to Splithoff's song "Vices" on the popular YouTube channel Studio Choom.

Artistry and musical style Splithoff has a four-octave voice, His musical influences include Marvin Gaye, Prince, John Mayer, Tears for Fears, The Beatles, Empire of the Sun, Take 6, and D’Angelo. He has cited Pat Metheny, John Mayer and Pink Floyd's David Gilmour as guitar influences. As a lyricist, Splithoff gravitates toward universal subjects such as love and heartbreak, the desire for human connection, and staying true to one's beliefs and dreams. "I write a lot of my songs about breakups, and getting back together," he said in an interview with On Tour Magazine.

Discography

Albums and EPs The Move EP (2013) Make It Happen EP (Asylum Worldwide, 2018) Go Somewhere EP (Pleasant Lane Music, 2020) Good To See You EP (Pleasant Lane Music, 2020) All In (Pleasant Lane Music, 2021) All In (Acoustic) EP (2021) Blue Christmas EP (Pleasant Lane Music, 2023) "Proud" (2019) "Somewhere in New York" (Pleasant Lane Music, 2022) "Way Back" (Pleasant Lane Music, 2024) "Tangled”/“Magenta (Days Go By)" (Pleasant Lane Music, 2025) "Plateau”/“Same Page" (Pleasant Lane Music, 2025) Autograf, Love & Retrograde EP (2019) - vocals on "Hold Me Back" Great Good Fine OK, Great Good FIVE OK EP (2021) - guest on "See Me Here, See Me Now" YONAS, "Glory" (2021) Melissa Polinar, "February Song" (2022) nodisco featuring John Splithoff, "Blame" (2023) Chris Botti with John Splithoff, "Paris" (Blue Note Records, 2024)