Even if his name isn’t instantly familiar to you, Will Johnson has probably been a part of at least one musical project you’re a fan of. After moving to Denton, Texas, in the early ’90s for college, Johnson formed Centro-matic, which has released numerous records since 1996. In 2002, Johnson, his Centro-matic bandmates and guest musicians started issuing more introspective records under the South San Gabriel moniker; the same year, Johnson released his first solo LP. Since, Johnson has played drums with Monsters Of Folk, toured with the Undertow Orchestra (featuring David Bazan, Mark Eitzel and Vic Chesnutt) and started work on a Woody Guthrie project (with Jay Farrar, Jim James and Anders Parker) in the vein of the Wilco/Billy Bragg Mermaid Avenue albums. Johnson’s latest release is the self-titled debut by Molina And Johnson (on Secretly Canadian), his duo with Jason Molina (Songs: Ohia, Magnolia Electric Co.). As if he wasn’t busy enough already, the Austin-based Johnson will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our Q&A with him.
Johnson: It’s kinda difficult for me to center on one of their records as an outright favorite, so I guess I’d rather just salute and celebrate the Anomoanon‘s existence. Our band, South San Gabriel, did a short run of shows with them back in the summer of 2001, and this band’s music has remained in regular rotation in my world ever since. Three releases serve as great starting points: their self-titled full-length, Asleep Many Years In The Wood and Joji. Ned Oldham and Co. flirt with elements of country, folk and classic rock throughout, but in the end, it’s a walk down a path that’s all their own. Maybe that’s par for the course for a guy who comes from a family of vast musical and songwriting triumph. Either way, I can’t remember a time or place where I haven’t been in the mood to hear his voice and their music.
“Mr. Train” (download):
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/MrTrain.mp3
“One That Got Away” (download):
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/OneThatGotAway.mp3
