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“I am Daniel Johnston and I am going to be famous!”
Welcome into the world of the American pop genius Daniel Johnston. The underground legend from Austin, Texas.
Anybody who has ever seen Daniel Johnston live is touched by the pureness of his music. Johnston is an exceptional talent. His music is sincere, disarming and sometimes even heartbreaking. A singer-songwriter, not to be compared with anybody else, who’s songs cut through the soul and leave an unforgettable impression. This also characterizes his visual artwork.
Surprisingly, the bulk of his considerable acclaim snowballed from a series of homemade, lo-fi cassettes which Daniel started recording and handing out to fans and friends alike.
In the midst of mid-eighties music scene, Johnston was a definite iconoclast. Soon, a camera crew from MTV's seminal "Cutting Edge" show came to Austin and all the Austin bands suggested they feature Daniel. His appearance on the show made him a minor celebrity. Recognizing the quality of his songs and the purity of his vision, the American underground began to embrace Daniel.
Colleague musicians, like Kurt Cobain, Tom Waits, David Bowie and Sonic Youth noticed his unique style and became devoted Johnston fans. Critics call him a true American original who follows into the footsteps of Robert Johnson and Hank Williams.
Throughout his career, Daniel's songs and drawings have been affected by his ongoing struggle with manic depression. Despite of this he’s able to write the most beautiful pop songs often inspired by his great love and admiration for The Beatles. His mental illness caused him to be institutionalized in the Austin State Hospital. During the time of his treatment in 1986 a battle was fought between the major labels for Daniel to sign with them. Yet, it still took 8 years before his debut album “Fun” was released. Although not a commercial success the album established the name Daniel Johnston. Daniel gained his widest public exposure to date when, at the 1992 MTV Music Awards, Nirvana leader Kurt Cobain (who constantly touted Daniel in interviews) wore a Johnston T-shirt. In 2001 his cd “Rejected Unknown” appeared and was well received by the international press.
Meanwhile, his artwork was also doing well. His drawings and paintings were exhibited in New York and Europe. Musicians like Eels, Tom Waits, Beck, M. Ward and Sparklehorse covered his songs in the tribute album “Discoved-Covered” in 2004. In the documentary “The Devil and Daniel Johnston” (2005), the American cineaste Jeff Feuerzeug depicts Johnston’s peculiar life and work.
Johnston manages to gain more control over his illness. The past years, he has been touring all over the world with his brother and manager, Dick Johnston. He also collaborates with bands like John Deare Mowing Club.
In 2009 “Is and always was” is released which was produced by the multi-instrumentalist Jason Faulkner (Paul McCartney, Air, Beck, R.E.M.). Daniels frayed voice is supported by sheer arrangements, a true pop album.
In the 2010 “BEAM me Up Daniel” Tour, the 11 members of the Dutch orchestra “BEAM” collaborate and accompany Johnston. BEAM’s musical arrangements support Daniel Johnston beside his solo performance.
Album out now! “BEAM me UP” at Hazelwood Vinyl Plastics.
Meet BEAM:
Bart van Dongen: keyboards, arrangements
Eric van der Westen: double bass, arrangements
Yonga Sun: drums
Richard van Kruijsdijk: electronics, keyboard, electronic percussion, arrangements
Andreas van Zoelen: bass saxophone, baritone saxophone, arrangements
Guido Nijs: tenor-, alt-, soprano saxofonen
Michiel Stekelenburg: acoustic-, electric guitar
Bruno Nelissen: electric guitar
Yvonne van de Pol: violin
Jacqueline Hamelink: cello
Hans Sparla: trombone and accordion
Support Act: Tommigun (BE)
One might expect deafening punk or thundering hard-rock when hearing the name of the band “Tommigun”. But nothing is as it seems. This Brussels band dubs their vulnerable atmospheric piano indie-rock as ‘heartbreakhangovertunes’. Ideal for the wee hours of the morning but it may also surprise you with explosive welts of passion and anger that sends shivers down your spine.
Pall Jenkins, leader of The Black Heart Procession, who assisted the band recording their debut album, describes “ Tommigun” as a mixture of the drive of The Pixies, Chris Isaak’s melancholy en the whining of a nightclub singer.
