Who is J.A.W.?

John-Allison Weiss is a trailblazing queer songwriter whose music and journey embody radical honesty, resilience, and reinvention.

From early beginnings in the MySpace and Tumblr era to becoming one of Kickstarter’s first music success stories, Weiss has spent nearly two decades turning heartbreak and healing into singable anthems. Their songs—tender, catchy, and emotionally direct—offer comfort for the misfits, the romantics, and the resilient. Whether performing under their name or as Charlie Mtn., Weiss stands out not just for their melodies, but for the fiercely independent path they’ve carved through an often unwelcoming industry.

Born in the Detroit suburbs and raised in rural Georgia, Weiss grew up an outsider, long before they had the words for it. That sense of otherness became fuel for a life built on connection through music. After self-booking early tours out of Athens, GA, and becoming a beloved figure in the Brooklyn DIY scene, they went on to share stages with artists ranging from The Front Bottoms to Lou Reed—yes, that Lou Reed—whose invitation to open for him was a surreal early milestone in a career defined by defying expectations. But after years of grinding through the traditional industry model, Weiss made the radical choice to step away from the machine and fully reclaim their autonomy.

That chapter birthed The Long Way—a record written in Death Valley and brought to life with co-producer SOMBEAR, funded entirely by fans, and released on Get Better Records in 2023. More than just an album, The Long Way is a living document of transition, survival, and the beautiful, brutal truth of starting over. It’s a record that doesn’t just tell a story—it is the story: of reclaiming self, of building community without compromise, and of choosing vulnerability as a strength. (read more about The Long Way here)

Today, Weiss continues to deepen that mission. Through their Patreon community (J.A.W.S. Club), raw acoustic performances, and perpetually online presence, they connect directly with fans on a level few artists ever reach. Their songwriting has never been about spectacle—it’s about recognition: the feeling of being seen, heard, and understood. In a time where authenticity often gets packaged and sold, Weiss remains the real deal, inviting listeners not just to witness their journey, but to walk alongside them.

Now, under the evolving moniker Charlie Mtn., Weiss is entering a new chapter—one rooted in the same raw honesty but carrying a deeper sense of self, freedom, and clarity. With a new record on the horizon and stories shaped by the wild landscapes they’ve crossed, Charlie Mtn. carries forward the heart of John-Allison Weiss: the outsider-turned-anchor, the songwriter for anyone who’s ever felt left out, broken open, or just beginning again. This next chapter isn’t a departure—it’s an arrival.

In every note and lyric, John-Allison Weiss reminds us that we don’t need to be polished to be powerful. Their music matters because it makes space—for grief, for joy, for transition, and for anyone who’s ever felt like they had to take the long way home.

 

AS FEATURED IN...

The Historical Timeline of J.A.W.

  • 2004-2005

    The beginning. JAW plays bass in a pop punk band and a metal band in their hometown of Flowery Branch, GA. No real shows played. They start an acoustic duo with a friend and mostly play emo covers and songs JAW writes. This leads to eventual solo sets at open mics in Buford, GA. 

  • 2006-2009

    JAW attends art school at University of Georgia. They play tons of shows in Athens, GA and Atlanta plus weekend shows in surrounding towns across the southeast. JAW books a couple DIY tours during this time by messaging coffee shops on MySpace and promoting on Facebook.

  • 2009-2010

    A kickstarter campaign to fund their EP goes early internet viral on Tumblr and JAW is recognized in outlets like the New York TImes and Wired for being on the starting end of this tech game changer. JAW also does a couple self booked tours with friends like Bess Rogers, Jenny Owen Youngs and Lelia Broussard: The Spring Break Forever Tour and the Quest For Glory Tour.

  • 2010-2013

    JAW moves to Brooklyn, NY where they live for three years.  They play tons of shows in NYC and the surrounding cities with friends like Jenny Owen Youngs, Bess Rogers, Lelia Broussard, Field Mouse, A Great Big World, and Greg Holden.  During this time they come out as gay and cut their hair into a cool mullet. Tours around this time included the self booked Forever Alone tour. This was the first time JAW got a taste of the solo road touring.

  • 2012-2014

    JAW runs another successful Kickstarter campaign, this time to fund their 2013 record Say What You Mean which they record in a literal closet with friend Chris Kuffner. The duo tours Europe opening for Lou Reed with JAW also singing in his backup band. After getting attention from Dan Campbell of The Wonder Years, JAW starts hanging around more folks in the "alt-press scene" (as they like to call it). During this time JAW plays Warped Tour twice on the acoustic stage. It was the best of times and the worst of times. JAW makes a big move to Los Angeles, California.

  • 2015-2017

    JAW signs to SideOneDummy records and releases a new album New Love produced by Bradley Hale and Forrest Kline. Things quiet down as JAW settles into a married life... but gender feelings are bubbling. JAW releases a song called Runaway that's co written with the legendary Tegan Quin, and does full-band tours in the UK and Australia.

  • 2018

    JAW officially comes out as nonbinary and briefly identifies under the moniker A.W. (now defunct). SideOneDummy drops all of their artists and fires their employees. JAW is left without funding for a follow up to New Love. Switching gears, they book a DIY living room tour in late fall of 2018 and launch Lower Key Music in the process. JAW's song "Who We Are" is used as the theme for Cameron Esposito's podcast Queery. 

  • 2019

    The AWFC is born on Patreon, which later becomes J.A.W.S. Club after JAW officially changes their name to John-Allison Weiss. Music is a little stagnant as Weiss is focusing on gender. They take voice lessons with Allie Moss to navigate a changing voice. Touring as always, JAW hits the road with Hit Like A Girl for their last tour before the world changes.

  • 2020

    The year starts strong with JAW releasing an EP from their new project Charlie Mtn. After all tours are canceled amidst the covid pandemic, JAW makes a decision to move into their Jeep and spend the year exploring the outdoors, camping, writing, and visiting friends. They deep dive into discovering themselves and what they want out of life: to write songs and share. This is also the year JAW loses touch with their parents over Black Lives Matter protests and begins to question their relationship to capitalism. Identifying as an artist becomes more important than ever.

  • 2021

    In January JAW writes and records demos for a new album. In February they buy an old camper on craigslist and move in. With a battery and a solar panel they spend their time boondocking in the desert, or plugged in at friends places. A Global Event will get you reevaluating your life, and JAW decides it's time to pursue art and personal pleasure for a while. In the Spring JAW launches a fundraiser for an album and in May they drop in on friend and producer Bradley Hale to make it. JAW and SOMBEAR spend two weeks in the suburbs of Minneapolis recording Weiss's next full-length record, their first in six years.

  • 2022

    JAW announces a partnership with Get Better Records and finally makes plans to release their new record. The music industry moves painfully slow and so Johnny spends the year living in their travel trailer with their cat, Mouse, pulling the rig on a nationwide route from California to Michigan to North Carolina to spend their time with friends and loved ones. All the while The Long Way is mixed, mastered, and readied for release in a world where algorithms and TikTok trends rule the way we hear music. The year's silver lining is a winter tour with Chris Pureka, reminding Weiss the importance of being a songwriter and storyteller.

  • 2023

    In February 2023, The Long Way is released and immediately loved by JAW fans, new and old. JAW spends their spring and summer touring with Future Teens and Mal Blum, performing new songs with their new voice from their first album in eight years. In the fall, Future Teens join John-Allison Weiss as their backing band on a 10 year anniversary tour celebrating Say What You Mean.