Aussie scouser who had a big perm and retired from football to look after his mum and then invented the predator football boot is one Craig Johnson. This one however is an excellent solo singer songwriter with the ability to write excellent tunes.
Questions for Craig Johnson
When somebody emails you with the same name as a former footie star who was more famous for his bad hair than ability promising you a CD you sit up and take note! Fortunately it isn’t the same bloke and when the CD arrives it’s rather good, so good in fact posted a review on the incoming page straight away and then we emailed the man back with some questions to find out more. Firstly this is our take on his CD and then the interview in full.
Craig Johnson – Burning Time EP Not to be confused with the eighties Aussie scouse footballer best known for a huge perm of the same name this Craig Johnson hails from Glasgow and is a songwriter of the first order. Apparently he’s still unsigned, how this is the case we aren’t sure cause this self written and produced four track EP is really on the money. Whilst been understated it shows that Craig has a fine vocal style that has been likened slightly to Will Young but really is in a similar mould to James Morrison. The songs are excellently written and performed, mixing piano, strings and guitars to compliment his soft, rich vocals. An excellent collection of tunes it really beckons the question when will Craig be picked up and pushed to stardom, we’d guess not long at all.
1, Firstly who is Craig Johnson? - I'm an artist currently living in London who writes and performs my own material.
2, Have you ever been confused with the ex Liverpool footballer of the eighties with the big perm?! Yes. I occasionally get emails asking how I got my funding to research the development of the Predator football boot!
3, You’ve just released your debut EP ‘Burning Time’ what can people expect and why should they buy it? You can expect hopefully good songs that you'll like, that will trigger an emotion in you that was with me when I wrote them.
4, We’ve read that you’re currently unsigned – how can people get hold of the EP? And is there a deal in the offing? You can get the EP CD if you come to a gig and buy it there. You can download 2 of the songs from indiestore.com/craigjohnston. I'm planning on releasing a single very soon with an indie label.
5, How would you describe your musical style? Little bit Indie, Folky and Bluesy
6, What’s your favourite song you’ve ever written and is there a song that you’d wish you’d had the chance to write? It's difficult to pick a favourite, but the one that has most connection to me is 'Made Of Stone'. One song that I wish I'd written is 'Holding Back The Years' by Simply Red. Beautiful music and lyrics about clarity and strength.
7, You’ve been about a bit, living in Glasgow, Southampton, Bahrain and London. Where do you consider home and which has been most influential musically? I'd say London feels most natural with me now but I'll always think of Southampton as where I grew up. Occasionally, eastern influences come out in my music. So do my Celtic roots.
8, You’ve also studied music at The Academy of Contemporary Music. How do you feel this has helped you thus far and would you suggest it as a path for a budding musician to go down? As a musician, going to the ACM definitely helped me take music more seriously as a profession and meet lots of musicians. And I'm a better guitarist for it too. As a songwriter, and finding your own voice/style you have to figure that one out by yourself though.
9, Would you ever sell your soul and consider an X Factor / Pop Idol show to gain ‘stardom’? - I guess if was concerned with gaining immediate fame, I might. But, I'm an artist who wants to be judged by my songs and it doesn't seem like the best route to do that or for longevity in the business.
10, You’ve done quite a number of shows in London, how’s that going and what can a new punter expect of Craig Johnson live? It's going very well and we're really enjoying the gigs at the moment. The band I'm playing with are growing and each show is becoming its own experience. I don't think there's any more natural way of hearing a song than it being performed in front of you.
11, If you had to pick five songs to put on a ‘desert island’ disc, could you chose them and if so which five would you go for? Zero 7 - 'Simple Things'. Wheat - 'Hope and Adams'. The Chill Out Album. Clapton - Unplugged'. No.5 I'd choose, when I'd have to make the decision for real!
12, What do like to write about? Are you one for love songs from the heart or do you prefer to write about hard-hitting politics? I write when I've personally been affected some way or another. It needs to trigger an emotion in me and then I write about it. That could be any emotion. I don't force lyrics, it's very hard to do that and it never comes out with any emotion. My lyrics tend to be more personal situation based but they always come from the heart.
13, Have you already got your debut album written and recorded? If so what’s it like and when do you think it’ll be released? The album is pretty much written, but still has some to record. I've got some people that are interested in putting it out so hopefully should be available by the summer. It's a collection of songs that show how important it is to keep strength while going through your life because you'll be glad you had.
14, How many friends on myspace have you got? (It’s not a competition obviously but we just like to know!). What can people find on there (any songs?) & have you a website too? I just checked and it was just over 5000. There are always 4 songs up. It's great because you can use to put up new material and get feedback on it. There's also some photos, Blogs, info and gig dates. It's very good for keeping everything easy for people that want to know anything. I do have a website, which is being re-done by some very talented technical folk.
15, What were the last three records (or downloads) you bought and why? Were they any good?! 'Motion' by Cinematic Orchestra which is amazing music. Some Oi Va Voi downloads. An amazing band that had problems with their label but now releasing a new album. KT Tunstal used to sing for them. And some new zero 7 tracks. Great stuff.
16, Finally in no more than 50 words please write your own press release (and swearing is allowed!). Touching the emotion of nostalgia and optimism Craig Johnston uses instruments such as piano, cello and acoustic guitar to deliver heartfelt emotive words and music. With the release of his debut EP, an expanding tour schedule and major label interest, Craig is set to win over a whole new legion of fans in 2007.