CozyTalk #3: Johnnie Guilbert Interview (ex-My Digital Escape)

For this episode of Cozy Talk, I sat down with emo youtube legend Johnnie Guilbert. We got into the history of his KZbin career, his time spent as part of the notorious scene collab channel My Digital Escape, his relationship with his former friend/business partner BryanStars, as well as Johnnie's musical endeavors. Johnnie was a super nice guy to talk to and I'm super excited for everyone to check out this interview :)
I will make timestamps tomorrow :) heh heh
PATREON:
/ thecozyrepresentative
MERCH:
www.bit.ly/Cozy...
let’s get in touch!
/ thecozyrepresentative
/ dramaclubjulian

[@JohnnieGuilbert]

Thanks for having me on I appreciate it. Hope you all enjoyed this talk

[@kittykittybangbang9367]

Hi Johnnie, I just want to let you know that I did enjoy this talk. Anyways have a good day ♡ ～('▽^人)

[@thecozyrep]

Thanks so much Johnnie!!!

[@Evan_Onyx]

Fuck yeah bro. This whole thing was so amazing. Please go back on Johnnie. You make me feel so much more comfortable about being a 25 year old dude and still emo. Never change 🖤

[@16vth87]

19:35 😋

[@JustinVioraldrums]

Dude definitely gives me an interesting perspective on this and although I never got into the mde I respect you just being real man

[@jules6626]

I almost feel bad for Johnnie just because he’s been such a good and genuine person throughout the whole chaos that he went through. This interview was so insightful, and definitely worth the watch! :DD

[@jeanlouiise]

So many years later and Johnnie is still able to tell his truth without ripping Bryan apart. He is sincerely full of so much good

[@momo-mcgee]

Wow 15 year old me is freaking out! I'm finally getting the inside scoop of what was happening with MDE and Bryan Stars, very cool!! I'm also glad you guys are validating all the awful stuff that happened too while keeping it pretty light hearted! Love the interview!🖤❤

[@amberlegrys8197]

as an early days Bryan stars interview fan, this has been so eye opening to what was going on behind the scenes! Even as a 12 year old I got weird af vibes so this makes so much sense!!! Thank you both for the content I am loving the 2010 era emo/alt scene deep dive:)) keep it up cozy

[@alllittlethingzz]

Same here and the interviews were basically all the same with the lame questions and gross sex questions

[@mallorydawnn1]

Omg I’m almost 29 and still stuck In my scene and MySpace and such music and probably will always be.

[@Rowsell98]

You’re a fantastic interviewer, you seem like such a nice guy, so down to earth and easy to vibe with. Truly a cozy representative. I love this channel, got into to it through the Johnny Craig videos. It’s so interesting to delve into the history of this music scene, and all that it spawned! Great content!!

[@thecozyrep]

thank you so much! :)

[@derekg5674]

Most of the interview is great, I just couldn’t stand how much TCR kept talking over his guest. Like, when the guest starts talking, you aren’t supposed to keep talking over him. You let him finish and then finish your sentence. Edit: it also is way too scatterbrained. Like pick a sentence, lol.

[@awesomekid069]

@@derekg5674 yea i agree u need to like wrote down bullet points of wat u want to ask n let him finish he's sentences like especially since its over a zoom call there a small delay so u gotta let him completely stop talking so u dont talk over him but other than that good interview just minor criticisms lol keep it up

[@MikaylaisaWindmill]

the four dislikes are bryan’s four failed collab channels

[@dreiecknichtvergessen]

Damn I miss seeing the dislikes

[@TheLoneMuffin1808]

😂

[@acethefreak4785]

Lmfao

[@c.m.2818]

This just makes me want to go back to my fully scene phase. I still listen to all the music and it’s still my aesthetic. I loved this interview :) you’re a great interviewer.

[@bert9596]

God I love the conversation you had towards the end about being made to feel weird for what u listen to because you’re older. I’m 22 and still have some slight alternative aesthetics. And I completely love and listen to a lot of the same bands like nsn and underoath like I do any other music I love. We should def normalize that shit!

[@yespls6260]

Johnnie has a great personality and just seems like a cool person. I see him commenting under KZbinrs' videos showing support all the time which is awesome

[@Boxocentipedes]

Thanks for keeping us informed and entertained, Julian! Was pleasantly surprised to see a new video from you. Johnnie seems like a cool cat. Ive had a strange fascination with this whole Bryan Stars "saga". Cool to hear about it from an inside source.

[@kirstinhumphreys2364]

You’re a great interviewer asking deep questions, I wasn’t a huge fan of Johnny but I did watch early Bryanstars and I found this video super interesting 😌

[@Trauzzinator]

Bryan definitely had/has something for Johnnie but in a creepy way!!!

[@alllittlethingzz]

For real he had a crush on Johnnie

[@Trauzzinator]

@@alllittlethingzz So creepy!!!

[@SocialExperiment232]

I can’t tell if he wants him or wants to be him… maybe a combo of both.

[@SocialExperiment232]

Like he would tear off Johnnie’s face, wear it and fk himself.

[@lexidarling]

Excited to watch this! The whole BryanStars/MDE era kind of passed me by, though I did go to Warped in 2015 when they were on it. Johnnie is a chill guy and I always love to dig into some scene history. Loving the content!

[@Aprils.life06]

I love watching Johnnie on interviews. Johnnie's looking gorgeous as always.

[@svmmyb0i220]

I'm loving your content bro, I barely knew anything about Johnnie Guilbert before but he seems like a really cool dude, and it was super interesting hearing him talk about his experiences with Bryan. Please keep it up 🤘

[@CodeDeb]

Wow this is MAJOR! I’ve been subbed since abt 1.6k. Congrats on the growth!

[@thecozyrep]

thank you! :)

[@cobaina9506]

Cozy its been great to see you improve, im so glad we have people like you keeping warped culture alive.

[@emodirectioner]

Once yess u did one with Johnnie!! Y’all are my two favorite youtubers :)

[@semiscreen5130]

same!!

[@emodirectioner]

Ugh I meant omg autocorrect is ruining my life :(((

[@jadeisme4345]

I can’t wait for the Brian star interview

[@walkerk220]

Awkwardly enough I found his new Facebook pf and like I really want a Bryan stars interview dude

[@ThePartyyChat]

@@walkerk220 what’s his new fb profile name

[@walkerk220]

@@ThePartyyChat I don’t wanna dox his info, however I sent it to Cozy’s Instagram. I don’t wanna be the one to start shit on stale tea.

[@RatBoyTriple6ix]

@@walkerk220 can u at least tell us what to search to find it?

[@gravestoner420]

oh lawd

[@itsmishki7005]

Mr Cozy you are the definition of a "down to earth" person. the entire talk was awkward as it should have been, its a difficult topic and im sure most questions were answered. Thank you for picking up the glove and giving us all that content, a true blast from the past, what a decade emo culture had...

[@Sofia2crazy]

Even though I kinda lived this era myself, as I wasn't native in english and not very much into where it was actually happening it feels like I missed a lot, so having this as kind of like a journalism space for this culture is amazing

[@KOEDEGA]

Bryan Stars is an Onion. I was not expecting that shade, haha.

[@alllittlethingzz]

It’s so crazy how he would try to control everyone and I think he had a thing for Johnnie

[@pumpkinspicetrashbag]

Ogres are like onions afterall

[@betsybk11]

Hahalolol lmao

[@Ashesinferno28]

29:14

[@WhatIsItAboutThem]

I hate that he can be labeled as this, but BryanStars is a part of alternative/scene internet history. Lol

[@alllittlethingzz]

Which is disgusting

[@anastasiaeqbali6933]

Seriously 😂😂😂😂 he’s a key figure in many of our teen alternative days

[@oatmi1k_]

You can tell how excited you are to be talking to johnnie I love it so much

[@fendermortensen]

This is such a good interview I love it! I'm a newer fan of Johnnies, I discovered him through his music last year, so it's always interesting to hear everything else he's been through in his career and life especially since I wasn't there for the My Digital Escape era myself. Such a fascinating time.

[@dachers1238]

I love this channel so much. Julian is an absolute LEGEND.

[@brett5569]

I never watched my digital escape but I was a big fan of Bryan stars. Never expected him to be a drinker haha. Another great interview man! Keep them coming

[@canadianmooseplays]

I am so hyped I am not the only one still listening to the emo and scene bands I grew up on. Best music!! I will be blasting those bands at 70

[@Gabagool4Christ]

Thank you guys for making it cool to be a scene kid at 21 👊🏻🤘 love both of you guys!

[@artemisamory]

OMG I love Pete and Patrick from Fall Out Boy!!!!! lmao no but seriously this is awesome!! glad y'all did this

[@Ursa952]

😂

[@16vth87]

Wow I didn’t kno u had the connections like that! This episode is going to be good

[@blakebambam3143]

Yeah Johnny is such a huge A list celebrity! How in the world did this possibly happen?!

[@dead_yami]

@@blakebambam3143 he’s cracked the Forbes list every year since 2014

[@blakebambam3143]

@@dead_yami he’s totally probably going to pass backpack kid on subscribers someday!

[@crims0ngrin]

@@dead_yami LMFAOOO

[@dead_yami]

@@blakebambam3143 huh

[@luz1673]

God I loved that bit at the end!!!!! Ive always been asked why I dress the way I am and why my music is the way it is but like holy shit why is it even a big deal to this day? It makes me happy seeing more alternative kids and seeing it come up with newer generations!!!!!

[@MFKNJJ]

Wow this was genuinely really insightful to all that was happening quite awhile ago. I wasn't quite understanding of my knowledge on this topic, involving warped tour, seeing those bands on tour, and being apart of a KZbin channel that was centered around Bryan being around what was literally teenagers. You also got to get some real behind the scenes information on not just My Digital Escape, Bryan Stars, but also the mental toll that it took on Johnnie and his friends. Speaking about Johnnie, I'm really glad to be able to hear his perspective and experiences of the scene emo days. It shows he really did experience the peak of emo when it was at it's most purest and that to me is really astonishing. Also with you as your passion, and understanding of the subject shows your true love and desire for the music you've been listening too and have enjoyed for so long. So, it's really fucking legendary to see badasses like you two to come out and talk about the love, care, and community that comes along side with these type of cultural events that affect many people. It becomes a lifestyle for a lot and that in of itself deserves to be talked about in my most honest opinion. Best part of this, you also talk about the nitty-gritty of this time period. Personally, that's the most important part of talking about this stuff. It's good to clear the air, to clear the stigma, and to push back what holds us back. Talk about it as it is, but continue on in hopes of moving forward. Keep up the amazing work man! I really watched through the whole thing from start to end. loving this scene talk dude stay cool man!

[@mimmibergh]

This channel truly has the best relaxed, funnits and cozy vibes as well as actual good content, truly a diamond Keep up the good work 💖 Id also absolut love a podcast with the two of them, truly a nice balance

[@kaystar7719]

This was brilliant dude. I watched the whole thing and I was surprised. This is very nostalgic and johnnie is a great dude

[@dash-x]

I’m an old, and when I was in college we were just getting Facebook links which I kinda played with just because all my peers were too but moreso did the Myspace stuff. Not only did it help keep me and my now husband in contact during his deployments (OIF 1-2 & OEF,) but I also liked the music aspect. It’s really interesting to see y’all speak on your childhood and getting into your scene and how social media impacted your formative years. It’s quite enlightening for this old crusty baby goth. 😹✨🖤✨

[@stephenmitana]

What a throw back deep dive! Best wishes to you both. It really is great to see johnnie get older and not become a piece of shit like so many that were before and around him, mad props.

[@witchingbrew3]

He seems like a sweet kid. He feels like a guy who would be friends with a younger brother or sister would be close friends with. So he'd be over your house all the time that our mom would call him their other son.

[@Anzner1993]

You 2 could do a podcast and I would watch every one of them

[@alllittlethingzz]

I find it so crazy how Bryan basically used coming out as damaged control which is so disgusting and it’s sad how he basically used everyone for his own benefit and not to mention he would interview the same bands 24/7 especially BVB and looking back on it I find more gross how he would always make two teen boys kiss when they are straight basically having teens fetishizing gay relationships. He tried to come for Johnnie again saying that Johnnie is a loser who lives in his mom’s garage at 24 and that he’s a wannabe emo pop star etc but like bro you’re 30 years old with no life at all and your coming after all his friends.

[@halo3gamefuel]

It be like that sometimes.

[@daisymonster47]

I've been subbed to jonny for as long as I can remember having a KZbin. He is one of the sweetest guys. 💗

[@samanthamunro2365]

I’m 24 too and still listen to all time low most days 😅 actually seeing them live too very soon can’t wait!

[@levhen]

always wondered what happened to johnnie glad you made this episode with him, it's really insightful

[@virtualboi1585]

How have I not seen this, great interviewer, fantastic questions, and it is so genuine throughout. Loved it. 😄

[@Epherneralps1]

Such a good interview man. I hope to see you interview more people. You're such a happy dude

[@pinkmazohyst]

I was only into Johnnie, I had no idea about MDE and all of that drama. I stopped being deep into scene culture when I graduated high school back in 2017. Looking back, yeah that was weird as hell of Bryan. Glad to know that Johnnie is still doing well though

[@DIAZRICKY42]

Oh shit, I guess I’m going to drop everything I’m doing to watch this video.... :D

[@bens9061]

This channel has a tendency to take me back, and this video is no exception. Love me some Johnnie!

[@handsomeawkward1822]

I was a little bit too old for the whole emo thing, but I was exposed to a bit of it from playing in punk bands. A lot of people in the emo scene would come to our shows. Anyway, I didn’t know there was ever an emo section of KZbin until a few months ago. Learning about the history of all this in the year 2021 is oddly interesting.

[@kylebible]

Too old for emo, KZbin account named after a the used song.

[@Xeroforte]

@@kylebible Hence why they said "was" not "am". Plus KZbin names are free to change any time so it probably wasn't that the whole time.

[@goo6763]

You're so passionate and interested about these things, this was nice :]

[@0ctober_]

so legendary, very good listen

[@briannagalindo3543]

I would love if you did this with other ex MDE members (if they are down)

[@Aquab0t]

Cozy..... that was the greatest intro I've ever heard

[@pandawithanorange]

Is there a way to consume your content via IV drip? Asking for a friend.

[@alexandratoledo512]

This is one of my favorite interviews ever

[@callumg3330]

He had a tour in my country last year but it was cancelled because of covid

[@michaell3418]

Damn missed opportunity to have intro be “get cozy and get ready for pillow talk” haha

[@boxesoverboxes]

We Def. Need a video about breath Carolina and their changes. Love your work keep it up.

[@16vth87]

19:35 I can’t stop laughing😂😂😭 cozy stop trying to cut him off😂😂😭

[@actionjaxon7570]

seems like this is gonna be awkward, im gonna get baked and watch it

[@EnvisionedBlindness]

Bruh I'm already baked and this is still super awkward

[@JohnnieGuilbert]

The most awkward jk it was good

[@virtue696]

@@JohnnieGuilbert Its super endearing, I can tell Julian just loves talking about this stuff.. you can hear the excitement in his voice.

[@actionjaxon7570]

I was completely wrong! nice interview man

[@princessannabelle4524]

Lol just came across this video while getting ready to smoke.

[@Larry-nd7gv]

Bro i haven’t been in this scene since like 2013, but this was super interesting to listen to.

[@yespls6260]

"a lot of that was in the 'rawwwr XD' category" LMAO I love how everyone our age understands exactly what that means

[@australiaduelmasters]

Wow this video is just goals! Completely and utterly amazing ^_^ scene kids never die

[@cielo3727]

The 1 dislike is Bryan

[@liftedlegend710]

I see this dude in the comments of most the youtubers I watch its cool now that hes an adult he actually seems really chill I used to find him cringy but he seems very normal now

[@spooki_owo1072]

The one dislike on this video is Bryan Starts

[@Ashesinferno28]

This is truly a crazy interview to listen to

[@tappenthat]

Awesome interview 😀

[@junosounds]

The MIDI drums are just

[@Ursa952]

As someone who’s just a tad bit older than cozy, Bryan was probably the first youtuber I actively followed and anticipated his videos. But when he started the mde thing, that was when I done with him. He turned into this cringy wannabe goth kid who was older than I was. That was creepy & I stopped watching. At that point. This was a really good interview & holy shit am I happy johnnie turned out ok. He was literally surrounded by predators (that warped tour scene) & an almost groomer-esque figure in Bryan. I never really followed johnnie but I’m glad he’s doing good. It was super interesting to here about Bryan currently. Always wondered what happened to him great interview you two

[@frumundafairy]

So much info i didnt know i needed

[@hollyann1325]

I really want to see what you looked like as a former scene and emo kid back then!

[@walkerk220]

I’ve been waiting for this🖤

[@jeremycunningham7897]

Loving the cozy talk!

[@TheSuperdodo7]

Johnnie the emo king

[@alllittlethingzz]

true I been watching him since 7th grade

[@TheSuperdodo7]

I got into him when I start listening emo music

[@LxxMyHm]

Please do more of these this fucks so hard

[@brennanhaelig1524]

Cozy you rock man! Love your channel

[@Nicolas-fo8qd]

Hey man good interview and good energy but just as a tip I feel like you could slow down a bit and nod instead of speaking when the guest is speaking

[@sarcasticluigi]

I can definitely say I waited in line for the Warped KZbinrs for Johnnie! Bryan too of course, but being the little emo teenager I was I had a huge crush on Johnnie. I remember thinking it would be a cool/funny thing to bring a ring pop and pretend to propose to him, but then I second guessed myself because I figured he got stuff like that all the time since he was "obviously" the cute approachable one (aka also a teenager). Now I feel like I should have!

[@christinalove3382]

Bryan wanting to wrestle is some John Wayne gayce type of shit

[@Bobbymaccys]

They are both clowns

[@neurolou4703]

Great interview !

[@cindyfaber]

All the Bryan tea

[@nikkistewart2896]

Bryan was such a creep praying on literal teenagers to make money off them. I always knew something was up even when I was a kid watching the videos

[@alexandratoledo512]

I really enjoy this interview

[@Yoshiwaffle]

My boi doing big things😍😍

[@carly4082]

Johnnie was definitely the eye candy for MDE

[@sergiolopez3965]

Alex Evans was first wave along with Olí Sykes

[@charr441]

This was really interesting and entertaining. Just two really nice dudes

[@16vth87]

1:37:47 I need more clarification of destery smith. What happen to him?

[@DarkArmedDaddy1]

He’s basically another Dahvie except Dahvie is worse

[@16vth87]

@@DarkArmedDaddy1 oof thanks for the intel, I’ll look into it more

[@SUET1967]

Interview Jake Bateman sometime. Great job.

[@MsRachelMo]

It’s super easy to step into a scene that was already going for 6 years before Johnnie found it. You’re welcome kid. 😂

[@ncardinal6019]

*teleports behind you* “Purrrrrrr”

[@witchingbrew3]

Looking back now after thinking about it, I feel bad that him and some of the other MDE kid were exploited. Bryan picked him out, exploited him, and basically was the Lou pearlman of the emo/scene community.,

[@Beaumo66]

slammed 4 bowls and 4 toaster Strudels to this

[@profestia]

Good work bro. Love your videos. Really love the vibe. Keep making content!

[@cheyenn3nic0le]

yessss cozy! great job 😌

[@EncoreASMR]

I usually look at scene people with suspicion, but not Johnnie. I actually like him.

[@nevermindgaming6848]

Can we get a Playlist of this