54 Ultra

In the kaleidoscopic world of music, 54 Ultra emerges as a beacon of sonic fusion, weaving synthy indie rock with a Latin soul heartbeat. Based out of New Jersey, 54 Ultra is the musical project of songwriter and producer JohnAnthony (Johnny) Rodriguez. Offering music that is both honest and melodic, with a charismatic stage presence to match, 54 Ultra is carving out a space uniquely his own, defined by a garage pop and soul sound.

Through a combination of interning in a New Jersey studio and self-teaching, Johnny built a solid foundation in music production before stepping into the spotlight with his own artist project. In early 2025, Johnny headed to Miami to work with Kali Uchis on her latest album, Sincerely, where he produced the track “All I Can Say.”

In 2024, he shared his debut single, “Where Are You,” which quickly gained traction online, introducing listeners to a sound that feels both timeless and fresh. A year later, he released his debut EP First Works, which Billboard named one of the Best Projects of the Year (So Far). The six-track collection features fan favorites such as “Upside Down” and “No Tengo Valor” and was followed by four sold-out shows in New York and Los Angeles.

Towards the end of 2025, 54 Ultra released “I Won’t Go,” a Spanglish synth ballad that further underscored his ability to pair emotional intimacy with a vibrant, genre-blurring sound. Shortly afterward, he followed with “Find Your Love,” which premiered on KCRW’s Live From HQ and Morning Becomes Eclectic. The single was a fan favorite throughout his sold-out fall tour (North America, EU/UK) and was produced by Homer Steinweiss and Leon Michels (El Michels Affair, Clairo).

This April marked a major moment for 54 Ultra, highlighted by his Coachella debut, where he performed alongside a ten-piece band. Leading up to the set, he released two singles, “Turnaround” and its B-side “I’m Hooked”, coinciding with his official signing to Interscope Records. Earlier this year, 54 Ultra also featured on and produced “Talk To You” with ANOTR, transforming his signature synth-laced indie-rock-soul sound into a groovy, high-energy dance track that debuted across five European charts and has since reached #1 on Billboard’s Warm Global Dance Chart.

Outside of the studio, where he is currently working on his debut LP, 54 Ultra is set to perform at Lollapalooza later this year, with additional tour dates to be announced soon.