01
Single · with Noah Cyrus
The New Single · Out Now
High & Sad
with Noah Cyrus
Banjo, mandolin, and piano under a modern synth haze — the sound of avoidance wearing off and everything rising to the surface. Written by Franklin Jonas & Chris Gelbuda. Produced by Franklin Jonas.
Press play · 30 sec
✶ A reunion 20 years in the making — Sōsuke & Ponyo, together again.
The Story
About
Franklin Jonas is an artist and songwriter from New Jersey, carving his own path with a sound rooted in storytelling, reflection, and renewal. After releasing his debut EP Sewer Rat in his early twenties, Franklin took a step back from releasing music to discover his voice, his influences, and his sense of self.
That exploration gave rise to Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines — inspired by the idea that life can be rebuilt after collapse, just as the Roman Empire lived on in Byzantium for a thousand years after its supposed fall.
For Franklin, the project represents survival, reinvention, and belief in what comes next. The singles Village Liquors, Road Soda, and Break the Levee opened this chapter; High and Sad — reimagined with Noah Cyrus, his co-star from Studio Ghibli's Ponyo nearly twenty years ago — carries it forward. A Blackbird Academy–trained engineer, he writes, records, and produces the records himself.
His songs capture the grit of what's been lived and the glow of what's still to come.
Influences
Gillian Welch
Dave Rawlings
Dan Reeder
Ruston Kelly
On The Road
First of Many Tour
The first-ever headline tour. Small rooms, loud hearts — August through October 2026.
From The Same Pen
Fireborn
The songs tell one story. The comic tells another.
Image Comics
Sold Out ×2
Third Printing
Issues #1–3 Out Now
An ongoing series co-written by Franklin Jonas and Curt Pires, with art by Patrick Mulholland — set in the world of Lost Fantasy. Aaron Hillburg, a rich-kid slacker, bonds with a mysterious dragon egg and unlocks an ancient magic — then spends every issue running from outlaw wizards, biker cultists, and supernatural warlords, from New York City to The World Beneath.
Issue #1 sold out at the distributor on day one, went back to print with an Absolute Batman-homage foil variant — and sold out again. For fans of Invincible and How to Train Your Dragon.
"Comics have been my deepest passion since before I even discovered my voice in music. Writing a book was always a dream." — Franklin Jonas
Stay In Touch
Join The Byzantines
The Inner Circle
New releases, tour announcements, comic drops, and the occasional dispatch from the road — straight from Franklin. No noise, just the good stuff.
Never Miss a Show
Get alerts about tour announcements, tickets, and shows near you the moment they're announced — with a free Bandsintown account.
Professional Inquiries
Contact
For booking, licensing, press, partnerships, and similar opportunities. Clear, relevant information helps the team review messages thoughtfully — general notes, fan mail, or unsolicited promotions may not receive a response.
franklinbiz@outshinetalent.com- ManagementOutshine Talent
- Booking & Pressfranklinbiz@outshinetalent.com
- ComicsImage Comics ↗
- MerchOfficial Store ↗