Seven Lions: Orchestrator of Euphoria or Cult Conductor
Seven Lions comes in at Number 3 in our Top 5 EDM Artists Who Could Start a Cult. We will unveil number 2 and number 1 in their own Blogs but for Artist Number 4 and 5 from the list we will include these together in one blog plus a few honorable mentions.
If you are reading on your phone, then I suggest rotating it to horizontal view for a more enjoyable experience.
Let us begin….but first some context. What was I listening to while writing this? Well, of course, the natural choice would be Seven Lions BUT in order to maintain objectivity and prevent myself from going down a wormhole of my own psychoanalysis - it was the wiser option to use Armin Van Buuren’s A State of Trance Year Mix 2024 as the soundscape - not cult like music such as Rezz or Svdden Death, hint hint. All of the pictures below I took myself at Red Rocks Amphitheatre and The Gothic Theatre on September 27, 2024.
Jeff Montalvo, affectionately known as Seven Lions, is an electronic music producer. He is also a God - wait, sorry, that was a knee jerk reaction or some kind of hallucinating flashback to dozens of his sets at the front screaming his name “JEFF” in between tracks; no less than twice per set so I know he heard me since this dick refuses to speak during his sets.
SEVEN LIONS - A higher love of sorts for thine majestic productions that soar not just to Space but way way Beyond - perhaps even Above & Beyond, but lest I joke for my Anjunafamily, Jeff’s music most certainly transports you to other Planets in our galaxy that are full of sorcery, magic, and otherworldly climaxes of every sort, dimension and euphoria - yes, orgasms included. Although, I have never had sex to Seven Lions music because that is just too crazy; it could warrant an entire other blog to think about how that might go.
This is Seven Lions music and it is not for the weak. It is for a group of Strangers that look inside themselves as their master guides them on a sonic journey through pain, euphoria, and an ever changing search for truth. This is the realm of the Worlds Apart. You are now entering a Freesol state of mind so try not to cry.
Before we dig into Jeff’s Prophet-like qualities - Let us explore the Traits of a Cult Leader
Cult leaders throughout history have exhibited a range of traits that enable them to attract followers and maintain control. Here are 7 commonly observed characteristics that may in fact contrast with Jeff’s persona. We will define these first to paint a clear picture to work from.
1. Charisma
Perhaps the most universal trait among cult leaders is charisma. This magnetic charm helps them to draw people in, make compelling speeches, and inspire loyalty or devotion.
2. Narcissism
Many cult leaders display narcissistic traits, including a grandiose sense of self-importance, a need for excessive admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. This often leads to a belief in their own infallibility or divine status.
3. Visionary or Prophetic Claims
They frequently claim to have a special insight or vision, sometimes divine or supernatural, which sets them apart from others. This could be a new way of life, salvation, or an apocalyptic prophecy.
4. Intelligence
Many are intellectually gifted or at least possess a cunning ability to read and exploit human psychology, which aids in both recruitment and control.
5. Isolationist Tendencies
They often encourage or force isolation from the outside world, which helps in severing ties with non-members and increasing dependency on the cult.
6. Moral Flexibility
Cult leaders might display a lack of conventional morality, allowing them to justify unethical actions for the "greater good" of the cult or their mission.
7. Unyielding Belief in Their Cause
Whether genuine or for show, an unwavering commitment to their ideology or cause can inspire followers to believe in its absolute truth.
In fairness, and not to be ‘Foul Tarnished’ like the title of Jeff’s most recent release, these are two other common traits of cult leaders that we do not see in Seven Lions - once again, defining them first and then explore our analysis, hereafter:
Oratory Skills
Effective communication is key. They need to be able to convey their message in a way that resonates emotionally with their audience, often simplifying complex problems into solutions only they can provide.
Manipulative
They are often highly manipulative, skilled in techniques like gaslighting, love bombing, and fear tactics to control their followers' perceptions and behaviors.
Important to note, we will revisit this same list of criteria when we unveil the next artists from THE TOP EDM ARTISTS WHO COULD START A CULT
The Top 7 Traits for Seven Lions' Potential for Cult Founder & High Priest
1. Charisma
We can agree that Jeff, indeed, has charisma. Why? In a word: TRUTH. This guy perhaps expresses and shows his love for music more than any other artist in this thing called EDM.
Yes, the good looks, ever changing long length of his Jesus like hair, and his cool tattoos absolutely help BUT it is his body language or dare I say “dancing”’ behind the decks that truly show his love for the music.
When you see Jeff raise his arms and hands up and smiling or throws them down with a drop - you just know that this guy is for real. You have to be able to express love to be a cult leader. Jeff checks the box here in spades.
2. Narcissism
The irony here is that Jeff is incredibly humble and even shy. He only recently started to pay some homage to his biggest fans on his social media because someone clearly told him to. Granted, I am well aware of his Drinking With Strangers series which is a nice name for it but it really means: I don’t do meet and greets so this is a contest to get a meet and greet with me; make something with my logo etc. and hopefully you get picked. Herein, lies the irony.
The hallmark of a cult leader is accessibility. You have to appear accessible but actually it is very difficult to reach them. Jeff checks this box. As a result, one could speculate that he is a narcissist, albeit a pleasant smiling one who loves walking his dogs on the trails behind his Washington state house.
Look, Jeff is a home body. He prefers to be in his pitch black basement producing more emotionally gut wrenching music with his cute glasses on and tank top. His stage persona is indeed an alter ego of some sort. Jeff does not seek the limelight but definitely knows that he is a supreme being on planet Earth. Frankly, he should be Number 1 on this list but one has to be objective as an EDM journalist.
The man or being refuses to speak during his performances. What the hell is that? Do you have any idea the kind of discipline this takes for years on end? He still has the same Spotify monthly listeners from 6 years ago so it is not about being an egomaniac. It is something way way deeper than that. More to come on this phenomenon. Personally, I hate it and at this point it's annoying and indicative of something more akin to the topic of this article.
3. Visionary or Prophetic Claims
Are you f***ing kidding me? Yes, check and check.
Seven Lions has created an entire literal other World. Yes, add an “S” because it is Worlds. His music is a constant push for the most harmonic symphonic euphoric experience that can be heard and felt; and not just on this planet but on these other Planetary Worlds that we see in his performances.
Case in point, his usage of this diamond.
The compositional entirety of Jeff’s art as a whole could in fact be PROPHETIC. Of course, this is what he is communicating. The future is Seven Lions on this Planet where he is King. However, could all of this be a post apocalyptic story 500 years from now on Planet Earth, yes, but we know this is not the case. Jeff is laying out his vision for what are his “Worlds Apart.”
Does Jeff have a religion?
Does Jeff have a religion or perhaps is his art his religion? Is he a wiccan or a modern day Merlin? These are self-evident questions that must be explored for another time. Clearly, he believes in a Creator who has bestowed him with great powers but who and what higher force this is will continue to be unknown for now.
A Higher Love of sorts, isn’t it for Seven Lions. One thing is for sure, I am the only person who can interview Jeff Montalvo with the highest respect and credibility. Who the hell I ask you has done a real interview with this dude? No one. Perhaps because he doesn’t want to talk about any of this because as real and serious his branding and storytelling is - he would feel embarrassed to talk about it in an open forum that would be published. My comment to that is - how sad. Own it - celebrate it. If you want to stay a niche in this corner of EDM then by all means continue to entertain the same group for Days to Come. However, if you want to grow your audience and enable other people to discover you then it is time to “own it” and start talking about it. Otherwise try to mine a collaboration with The Weeknd, Anyma, John Summit, or even David Guetta to gain new exposure to your music.
Calls for an Interview
Therefore, I am the only person who should interview Jeff for a true expose - I do not care either that I currently don’t have XYZ number of followers on Instagram. Grow up people. It is about having the ability to tell a story and having the intelligence to articulately do so. I could easily take the story and shop it around to larger outlets.
Anyone else is merely a cheap charlatan parlor act who knows zero about his music nor cares to explore what makes this fascinating musician tick, case in point is Apple’s Zane Lowe who is literally unwatchable.
Final Thoughts on “The Vision”
Nonetheless, only Jeff knows his vision for now (ok Emma probably does) and perhaps the forests he roams with his dogs and his hairless Sphinx cat. Probably, because he refuses to communicate on any recurring basis; at this point the mystery is only for his fans.
The reality is and perhaps an argument against why he could not be a successful cult leader is most people cannot handle his music because they will have a nervous breakdown. Yes, herein lies an opportunity to provide “an awakening” that only he as “The Order of The Lions Den” can help you fix (that is a fictitious cult name).
Anyways, Jeff’s music will strip you down to a puddle - there is no turning back! I dare you to listen to Seven Lions for 1 hour straight and let me know how you feel about your life afterwards.
Gut wrenching crying is the hallmark of your Seven Lions musical journey. You have to have a soul open for this exploration - to be broken down - self-actualize - and then rebuild yourself because the beginning was always the ending which is you are STRONGER THAN YOU THINK! I am talking about the road to your destination here. Create your own World. Become a DJ like everyone else! Omg. Let us continue…
4. Intelligence
Jeff could “control” an untold number with his intelligence and music. He simply chooses not to. The truth is - he is afraid of his own lion heart. The power is so great that he keeps it under lock and key. This is not just conjecture. We are literally watching someone turning themselves inside out on what is their purpose. Yes, of course, at face value Jeff has a clear purpose and his music does change the World, but - there is always a but. He is capable of anything - clearly. If you were Jeff, how would you see your next 10 or 20 years? Tough question isn’t. Start an a new alias? Boring at this point. No no, only a Cult would do. Hahahahha, I kid. Yes, he could but to serve what end? No, Jeff is trying to figure out this very question because he is so smart. Yes, he refuses to speak to his fans during sets or concerts which is stupid but he can get a pass for that I guess a bit longer. Although his Spotify monthly listeners is slipping and it is directly related to it. If no one knows who you are, then people will move on. Illenium speaks to his country music loving, baseball jersey donning….fill in the blank fans.
Ok so we have established that Jeff Montalvo is a genius. The guy created his own f*ing genre in EDM. He literally combined dubstep, his crazy sound design modernizing usage of the talk box, made famous by Peter Frampton on ‘Do You Feel Like We Do’, into a bass instrument (you have no idea), plus progressive trance chords, and inclusion of vocals from these other worldly elfin angel sirens but like “the girl next door” approachable sirens, ie. the actors he uses in his visuals but actually vocalists Haliene, Fiora, Tyler Graves, Natalie Taylor, Kerli, and Karra.
By the way, who are these actors in his visuals? Are they part of his secret harem in the Seven Lions Kingdom on that other Planet?Totally possible. Definite cult leader vibe there.
5. Isolationist Tendencies
The mysterious Jeff.
He’s a weird dude which makes him a total cult leader contender. Have you seen how Jeff’s house is decorated? It is very similar to Joel Zimmerman’s aka Deadmau5, but they could not be more polar opposites in personality.
That said, Jeff does not like talking as we’ve referenced. If I am being flippant - he hates it. Why? I have no idea whatsoever. He will not say hello or goodbye on the microphone to his beloved fans. It is tragic and if he does not soon - they will start going to other sets. All they want is to hear him say, “Hello” and “Goodbye” to them. In time, they will be pulled to another artist who will speak to them - not even by choice but subconsciously.
Jeff - listen to me. It is time. Cut the shit and say thank you to your fans out loud using a microphone - if do not, you will regret. We are past this schtick, ok.
BUT, as a cult leader, enjoying the silence (yes, a Depeche Mode reference) it would work for him. He’d be the kind of psycho who goes the route of bursts of prophetic visions and directions to his people, followed by - “I love you all, but go away and think about what I said.”
Jeff has that love hate psycho manipulation vibe down that he could use. You have to earn it to be in Jeff’s inner-circle; and most certainly if you want to be in a throuple with him and Emma. Emma is a force of nature unto herself and I could write an entire Blog on this mysterious and mischievous white witch (although she only wears black but you get it).
Jeff is very private. I mean seriously private. So perhaps this would be his downfall as a cult leader. However, should the cause and mission be “greater than himself” then he could make an exception and let his true personality shine and step out from the shadows and his demons.
Ok! We are in the home stretch. Are you still with me? If so, you are f**ing legit and you read! You are one of the very few smart ones left on this Planet! I salute you. Now buy some Ravers Naturals, I’m kidding but you should really try it.
6. Moral Flexibility
Now, I don’t care that Jeff had a throuple for years with his wife, Emma Montalvo, and Courtney Simmons (Gem & Tauri). None of my business but frankly it was fitting for his image and super cute. Jeff needs more than one woman. Hhahahaha, that is just a fun thing to say. He’s an EDM warrior and should have a harem…or he most certainly could. Perhaps, Jeff and Emma now fancy Luci or perhaps Ms. GG Magree. Only the pets at home may know, my friends. But one thing is for sure, sex is always a hallmark of any serious Cult. Jeff, fathering, dozens of offspring with beautiful talented women for his future home as seen on his Album cover art is definitely something to consider and dare I even say, fantasize about. Ha! So long as I get to watch. Ahhahaha! Had to add that joke also. Too easy.
Would Jeff do anything truly morally egregious? No. But! Could Jeff lose his mind and spiral into a reality that he is building a new human race to take to his Planet from a previous life or back through the portal to which he came? I ask? YES, definitely - this could happen.
7. Unyielding Belief in Their Cause
Well now, this is an easy one. When Jeff is a feature on a track - the entire track is amazing because it has his stamp on it. So many artists best tracks are the ones that they collaborated with Jeff on. What does this have to do with an unyielding belief in the Seven Lions Cause, whereby it translates to Jeff starting his own Cult? Well, I guess in a word - power.
Let’s cut the shit. Why are Jeff’s visuals not only filled with these mystical actors - women playing out these stories of another realm and even literal spells? I will tell you why because his music is so powerful that only an ongoing mystical storyline can match its power. His power.
Jeff makes music like no other. He may have a formula but it is not for the faint of heart to try to replicate. Yes, yes, the artists on his Ophelia Record label are talented and fall into “the sound” that it has to by way of the pre-defined nature of building a record label around one’s existing listeners to showcase a developing artist under Jeff’s tutelage and mentoring within said “sound”, but they are not part of any hypothetical “Cause” or “Seven Lions Cult”. Their music does not reach that quality standard; I am sorry, but it is true with the exception of Jason Ross. Jason could be a disciple within Jeff’s cult. However, Jason would have to ditch his hat - that would clash with the whole cult vibe thing. Does he still wear the hat or has he ditched it? Anyways…
Ok. You made it. Take a deep breath, especially if you are Jeff reading this right now. We are about to bring this all together. Jeff - as the prophecy has foretold - you and I must sit down for a proper interview. Final thoughts on that at the end.
The 'Leaving Earth' Conclusion
There we have it, folks — the enigmatic, charismatic, and profoundly visionary Seven Lions, perched at Number 3 in our countdown of EDM artists with the potential to start a cult. Jeff Montalvo, with his hair flowing like the mane of a mythical lion beast and his music that seems to conjure galaxies, has all the makings of a cult leader — or at least, a very compelling future biography, just please let there be a chapter on his sex life hahaha - that was for his female fans.
From his silent stage presence (because remember it is only about the music for Jeff), to his mystical, almost prophetic visual storytelling, Jeff has us all on a journey through pain, euphoria, and back to reality which of course sucks - unless the next set is Martin Garrix, Armin Van Buuren, Tiesto, or Subtronics!
But let's not kid ourselves — Jeff isn't about to start a cult... or is he? With his unyielding dedication to his art and cult like fandom, one can only wonder. Will he one day call us to join him in some secret forest ritual like a Jared Leto retreat, or perhaps lead us through a portal to another dimension? Only time will tell.
Until then, we'll keep our eyes peeled for signs of the Seven Lions cult, our ears tuned to his next drop, and our hearts open to the possibility of being part of something... extraordinary. Even if he refuses to speak a word during his sets for another 6 years. What the f*ck, Jeff.
Remember, in the World of Seven Lions, every beat is a sermon and every drop a revelation. You like that? ;)
And Jeff, as the prophecy has been foretold - only I can do the an in depth interview with you; circa Rolling Stone magazine from the 1970’s - over the course of a year where I meet with you in Washington, and then at least 2 more meetups while on the road, albeit, there will be only a few gigs in 2025 per your Spotify Wrapped message. That's it, I’m not selling it any more than that. Nobody else would do it justice. However, perhaps I should pen a letter to you using only the titles from your tracks as a means of showing you just how much I’m 'Dreamin' for an interview:
Dear Jeff,
I’ll Wait for You and then you can Rush Over Me like a Freesol on an Island but not like Strangers with Cold Skin - how Foolish of Me - in Days to Come I will watch the Silent Skies, Falling Fast until I See The End because What’s Done Is Done. Miss You and Break The Silence! Let us sit down as men do, and speak of space and time from the Book of Shadows.
Thank You, Oh Great One.
- DJ
**Note, I really don’t want you to “Rush Over Me” but it worked - so wtf. Yes, I wrote all of this! I absolutely pat myself on the back and I'm just getting started baby.
Friends! Stay Tuned….
Stay tuned for the unveiling of Numbers 2 and Number 1 on our list in our Blog series: THE TOP EDM ARTISTS WHO COULD START A CULT
If you read this entire Blog, God Bless You. Here is a discount code to use at checkout! "HIGHERLOVE"
