ERIC JOHANSON – BORN TO BE A MUSICIAN
By Jann Darsie
Roots-rock innovator Eric Johanson grew up with music all around him. His grandparents owned a music shop in Alexandria, Louisiana, and his mother and other family members played in local bands. It seemed pre-destined that he would become a professional musician.
photo by Will Repholz
“It [the music] was always there. And I knew that was how I wanted to spend my time,” said Johanson, whose latest album took the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Blues Albums Chart right out of the gate. In fact, four of his solo records have made a Billboard top ten slot.
He received his first guitar at the age of 5. A family friend taught him how to find music that worked for him, and he recalls listening to a lot of records, from Robert Johnson to Metallica.
By the time he was 14, Johanson was playing in a regional blues band. With that band, he would travel to New Orleans, where he sought out musicians he admired.
“I was lucky enough to jam with older, more experienced musicians from an early age,” Johanson said.
He found his voice as he worked on projects while attending the University of New Orleans. At the time, his own music tended toward the rock genre. And, as he played with other musicians, he kept returning to a bluesy style of rock ’n’ roll. He also has been featured onstage with musicians Cyril Neville, Anders Osborne and the Neville Brothers, and played with Terrance Simien and Corey Henry's Treme Funktet.
"I've never tried to stay within one box," he states on his website. "Blues is at the root of the different styles of music I play — hard rock, Americana, New Orleans funk, country — but I don't see the lines between genres, and I'm not following a standard form. What I find important about the blues is the rawness of it.”
He uses the blues as a springboard for a “bigger, broader sound.”
As this singer, songwriter and guitar master is promoting his new album, “The Deep and the Dirty,” he gives credit to the Ella Project – which he heard about through word-of-mouth – for always looking after his best interests in the process of contracts and other music industry business.
“It’s such a valuable thing,” he said of the Ella Project’s services. “In this industry, usually the person or company giving you the contract has a lot more resources, so being able to access sound legal advice makes all the difference.” Hiring a private lawyer is cost prohibitive for him and most other musicians and artists.
The Ella Project has been there for him in reviewing contracts and TV licensing agreements over the years, including the agreement with his current record label, Ruf Records. Ruf is a German company, so the process was more complicated. The Ella Project helped him navigate those differences, too.
Johanson had known about Ruf Records, an award-winning independent label that specializes in blues music, for some time. The label’s motto — “Where Blues Crosses Over” — shows that it’s a natural for Johanson’s music.
After his manager, Rueben Williams, reached out to Ruf about recording, the executives were excited about signing Johanson. “It seemed like a good fit, and has been going really well so far,” Johanson said.
In addition to recording, Johanson keeps up a demanding touring schedule. He admits that it’s a lot of work, especially because he acts as the tour manager and handles the logistics. At one time, he also did all the booking, but now he has a booking agent.
Touring has its advantages, he said: “It’s a way to see how far I can go with my music, try out ideas, and also build up a fan base.”
Although he pays a handful of gigs in his New Orleans home base, he is on the road a lot. His trio opens for the likes of Tab Benoit, Samantha Fish and the North Mississippi Allstars.
Live shows serve as a testing ground for his recordings. “With little moments happening spontaneously onstage, I never quite play a song the same way twice,” he said. “So they stay interesting to me.”
In a review of “The Deep and the Dirty,” American Songwriter magazine describes Johanson this way: “Johanson pens solid material that, like Hendrix, displays his guitar prowess but within the borders of melodies and, to a lesser extent, lyrics that push the boundaries of blues/rock. … Based on his eclectic style, searing guitar work, and persuasive songwriting, he delivers a driving collection well worth choosing.”
https://americansongwriter.com/review-guitarist-eric-johansons-searing-blues-rock-gets-deep-and-dirty/
Johanson effortlessly balances his three musical skills: songwriting, singing and playing guitar. “They all work together. The songwriting process is where I try and condense all the things I'm thinking and feeling into pieces of music that I can take further with the performance aspects,” he said. “Sometimes playing guitar will inspire a song, but often I get the initial idea from things that just pop into my head when I'm walking or driving or hanging out somewhere.”
Once an idea strikes, he grabs an instrument or just hums into his phone. He’ll develop it later if it still inspires him. The songs get continually renewed as they are played in the studio.
This prolific performer will be on an intense touring schedule for the rest of the year. In 2024, he will tour Europe for the first time.
You can find Eric Johanson on his website, https://www.ericjohanson.com/; on Facebook (facebook.com/ericjohanson504); Instagram @ericjohanson504 https://www.instagram.com/ericjohanson504/?hl=en; on X (formerly Twitter) @EricJohanson504; and on YouTube. youtube.com/ericjohanson.
On October 14, you can catch his performance live at Chickie Wah Wah, 2828 Canal Street. There he’ll be playing with his trio and also doing a set with his side project, Gator Blaq, featuring drummer Terence Higgins along with Jonathon Boogie Long, Keiko Komaki, and Cassandra Faulconer.
