John Dragonetti Explained

John Dragonetti
Alias:Jack Drag, ToneTiger
Birth Place:Jackson, Michigan, U.S.
Years Active:1996–present

John Dragonetti is an American composer, songwriter, and music producer based in Los Angeles, California. He is also a founding member (along with Blake Hazard) of the band The Submarines.

Early life

Dragonetti was born in Jackson, MI. His family moved to Egypt, where his father was principal of the American School in Cairo, at age 5. He spent most of his childhood in Dubai, U.A.E before attending boarding school in Nicosia, Cyprus. After high school at TASIS in Cyprus, John moved to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music.[1]

Pop career

Based in Boston in 1996, Dragonetti began recording on 4-track cassette under the moniker Jack Drag. These home recordings were released by the Chapel Hill-based label, Hep-Cat. He later signed to A&M Records and released the band’s only major label LP, Dope Box, which was produced by Chris Shaw. Dragonetti released two more self-produced Jack Drag albums, Aviating and The Sun Inside.[2]

In 2006 he formed The Submarines with Blake Hazard. The band toured extensively and released three albums on Nettwerk Records. The group's songs were heavily placed in films, television shows, and commercials such as Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist and Nip/Tuck. Most notably was for Apple’s iPhone ad campaign. The company licensed two songs, "Submarine Symphonika" and "You, Me and the Bourgeoisie" from Honeysuckle Weeks.[3]

Film and television

Dragonetti's first film score was for Doug Pray's Surfwise. He has also worked extensively with director Brian Knappenberger, composing the music for The Internet's Own Boy and We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists.[4] Among his television scores are the FX series Married and AMC’s Small Town Security. Dragonetti has also composed music for commercials including Volkswagen, Lexus, and Coca-Cola.[5]

Works

Film and television

Source:[6]

Producer discography

YearArtistAlbumLabel
2014Dylan GardnerAdventures In Real TimeBingo Masters Records
2011Chadwick StokesSimmerkane IINettwerk Records
2011The SubmarinesLove Notes/Letter BombsNettwerk Records
2008The SubmarinesHoneysuckle WeeksNettwerk Records
2006The SubmarinesDeclare a New State!Nettwerk Records

Remixes

TitleYearArtist(s)
Moving to Brussels [7] 2015Bhi Bhiman
Girlfriend [8] 2010Avril Lavigne
Oh, La2009Ra Ra Riot
Close Your Eyes We Are Blind [9] 2008Alaska In Winter
Hot Pink, Distorted [10] 200650 Foot Wave
Otherside2002Josh Ritter

Notes and References

  1. Web site: LAist Interview: John Dragonetti of The Submarines. Bergen. Molly. LAist. 2016-05-27. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160119150138/http://laist.com/2008/12/02/laist_interview_john_dragonetti_of.php. 2016-01-19.
  2. Web site: jackdrag :: disco :: jack drag. jackdrag.com. 2016-05-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025323/http://www.jackdrag.com/disco_red.html. 2016-03-04. dead.
  3. News: The Submarines' 'Bourgeoisie' Gets a Boost From Feature in iPhone Commercials. Miller. Dan. 2009-02-06. The Washington Post. en-US. 0190-8286. 2016-05-27.
  4. Web site: Composer Interview: John Dragonetti. Film and Game Composers. Cooke. Emmett. 2014-02-03.
  5. Web site: John Dragonetti. IMDb. 2016-05-27.
  6. Web site: John Dragonetti. IMDb.
  7. Web site: Song Premiere: Bhi Bhiman's "Moving to Brussels," Remixed by John Dragonetti of the Submarines. AllMusic.
  8. Web site: Album Girlfriend EP de Avril Lavigne | Qobuz : Téléchargez et streamez en haute qualité.
  9. Web site: Cargo.
  10. Web site: 50 Foot Wave – Hot Pink, Distorted (2006, Pink & Clear, Vinyl). Discogs.