In San Antonio de Padua, Buenos Aires, Argentina, a six-year-old boy picks up an electric guitar for the first time. He feels the sharp steel strings and smells the wood while playing his first chords. This moment sparks a lifelong passion for music.
Raised in an inner-city environment, his childhood was half on the streets and half playing music with friends. At an early age he started experimenting with drugs and also playing in local bands.
Soon, drugs became a problem and he started feeling a lack of motivation and self esteem. He eventually leaves his hometown for New York City at the suggestion of his sister, in an intent to save him from a deep depression. In Rockaway Beach, Queens, Juan Zaballa becomes Tall Juan and begins his music career with the support of his New York friends, releasing albums that reflect his personal growth and experiences. His first album, 'Olden Goldies', reflects his English language learning journey and pays homage to his early punk music influences, showcasing his simplistic yet powerful songwriting while 'Atlantico' reconnects him with South American rhythms, displaying his musical growth. His latest release, 'Raccoon Nights', showcases his evolution as a musician and producer, exploring psychedelic-pop with a blend of synthesizers and new wave overtones. Throughout his music, Tall Juan expresses his emotions and experiences, evolving his sound while maintaining his authentic voice inviting a diverse group of collaborators to join him on his journey.
