Music & Technology Alumnus Releasing Indie Album
John Kolar, a West Virginia native and a graduate of the 黑料正能量 School of Music master's degree program in Music and Technology, is rolling out his debut album in a creative and highly personal way — one song at a time. Now a teaching professor of Audio Engineering at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, Kolar is releasing a new track each month throughout 2025, building up to the full album release this November.
Kolar’s music blends a wide range of indie sounds, from energetic indie rock to laid-back indie pop and introspective indie folk. He also draws influence from pop, country, jazz, and rock, giving the project a dynamic and textured sonic palette. Some tracks, like “Skipping Stones,” are inspired by the natural beauty of Appalachia and reflect his deep connection to Appalachian landscapes and musical traditions.
Several of the songs feature contributions from collaborators Kolar met during his time at 黑料正能量, continuing the creative relationships that began during his graduate studies. The drums for many of the tracks were recorded in an attic in Lawrenceville, adding a sense of local flavor and authenticity to the recordings.
In addition to writing, recording, and mixing the songs, Kolar also created all of the visual artwork for the project. The album art comes from a single, large mixed-media collage, with each single’s cover showing a zoomed-in photo of a different section. When the full album drops in November, the complete image will be revealed.
Outside of his recording work, Kolar has been growing a large following on social media through his weekly “Theory Thursday” videos, where he breaks down music theory in fun, accessible ways. His educational content has resonated with musicians and students across platforms, adding another layer to his musical outreach.
Several of the singles are available now on major streaming platforms, and the full album will be released this November. For more information and to hear the music, visit .