Outlaw Country With a Modern Edge : An Interview with Dan Johnson
Like many an outlaw story this one begins in the Italy. Though unlike Eastwood’s iconic role in The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, our outlaw is known by more than The Man With No Name.
To be fair, Dan Johnson looks more like a Viking than any character found in a Spaghetti Western. But outlaws come in many forms and there is no mistaking Dan is willing to pull leather in a showdown against the corporate pablum that is Mainstream Country these days.
Musical independence is all-too-rare in today’s musical landscape, but Dan Johnson has been doing things his way for over a decade now.
I had the pleasure of listening to a sneak-peak of the upcoming album, Dan Johnson & The Salt Cedar Rebels II before sitting down to speak to Dan about, well the good, the bad, and the ugly of his musical journey and what it means to be an independent artist in music today. Both the new album and the conversation have me eager for the double vinyl to be released.
Born on a military base in Italy, raised in rural Kentucky before moving to Kansas as a preteen, and finally finding your way to Texas as an adult. Tell us how this geographical journey has shaped you and played a role in your music.
“Such a layered question,” Dan said running a hand across his shaved scalp. “My dad came from Kentucky and Appalachia. And that region lodges down in your soul the way few places can. So even before we came back to the states, my dad carried those hills and hollers and the history of Appalachia within him. We lived right there on the Country Music Highway that has given us so many great artists from Keith Whitley to Tyler Childers. So of course my dad introduced me to all that music born in Eastern Kentucky.”
“My mom on the other hand is from Kansas and her musical taste brought Motown to our house along with Carol King, James Taylor, and Paul Simon. These urban, Metro Folk type artists were a big part of my childhood and continue to influence me today. So it really was a blend of heritage and geography early on. That was before I got to Texas and heard the troubadour style that blended both. When I heard Pat Green’s song “Wave on Wave” it inspired me to begin writing my own songs. I soon discovered Jerry Jeff, Townes, Guy Clark and the rich history of Texas artists doing their own thing.”
You’ve spent a lot of time on the road playing shows and many songs from this new album you’ve played live years before stepping back in the studio to record them. All those nights in everything from smokey dive bars to the reverent quiet of a listening room and even a stint as the official, unofficial artist of an Outlaw biker gang. What have you learned from those experiences that helped shape this album and you as an artist?
With a deep chuckle and little shake of the head, Johnson took a moment before replying. It appeared as if he was recounting some of those lessons or perhaps the hundreds of thousands miles of travel behind him. Or maybe it was the crazy concerts in Strugis and those biker rallies that gave him pause before speaking.
“I probably started out with a look at me mindset. I held this idea I was there merely to entertain.” Johnson finally offers. “But along the way I learned that connection is truly what both life and art is about. It’s what we’re all seeking in one form or another.
With a “look at me” approach you’ll get some audience members buying in, but when you truly connect on a deeper, emotional level the entire experiences feels different. For the audience and myself. I used to attempt to get people excited about what I could do as a wordsmith, singer, whatever, but even if they were impressed, that approach also came with a disconnect.
I’m not trying to impress anyone these days. Now, each show I play, the goal is to foster a meaningful connection with my audience. That’s an experience both they and I can hold onto long after I step off the stage.”
Recording has often taken a backseat to your touring over the years, so what prompted you to get back in the studio with the full band and create this album?
“We all get nostalgic, and really I can’t believe it has been ten years since our last full-length album with the band. Life of course marches on and members have come and gone but one of the original members of the Salt Cedar Rebels recently got married and that combined with a Facebook memory popping up really got me to thinking about the sessions and camaraderie of that first album. Salt Cedar Rebels II is dedicated to all of those who have been in the band or played a role in my journey and it felt right to take the time to do something we could all have fun with.”
Tell us about the new album. What are the common threads between it and the original Salt Cedar Rebel album? And how does the new project differ from the solo work you’ve released between these two albums?
“The commonality lies in getting back to the joyful side of just playing music. Hemingway was powerful and impactful, but also dark and emotionally heavy. These songs are more about joy. Even a track like “For Alex” which is about a dear friend’s untimely death, leans into the joyful side of his life. Of course the song is bittersweet because the memories of him and who he was are tied to the fact I miss him deeply.
As a band we also had a great time hanging out and recording these songs. Layering in bits and pieces of who we are as individuals. A lot of it is tongue-in-cheek fun. A big difference is that I took a more hands-on approach to the production. We had a blast getting together to make this album and we left in a bit of that give and take banter to showcase that side of us.”
Life as an Indie artist is tough in the age of shortened attention spans and tight margins of streaming. The hustle is never ending to book shows, sell enough merch to fill the gas tank, keep a band together and in motion. What keeps you motivated and going as you swim against the current so to speak?
“Artistic drive means I’ll never stop writing and playing, but the business side is a different animal. Covid was an awakening for me and others. When everything shut down, and my tour got cancelled I really was left with nothing to fall back on. I had to reinvent myself a bit. But I also had a lot of time to write and create. Then I began asking myself what am I going to do with all of these songs?
In the meantime, I began doing more voice work. Acting in commercials, voiceovers and bit parts here and there. That stuff is fun, but bringing a video game character to life doesn’t deliver the same connection and feeling as being up on the stage, for me. However, that work has exploded, so I haven’t had time to go on tour or hit the stage nearly as much. I’ve played gigs when I can, but not enough to truly scratch the itch and I have missed it. The break also let me take a step back and ask myself, ‘What do I want to do with this music?’
And the answer was … Make music that makes me happy. Chasing gigs is tiresome. But sharing it solely online or via a streaming service also feels empty at times. I need to play these songs for an audience. Even fifteen people in a small listening room feeds my soul the way few things can. When I’m not making and sharing music, I feel lost.”
Let’s dive in on the album itself. Give us a taste of what to expect.
“Expect energy, expect fun, expect a bigger, bolder, and savvier Salt Cedar Rebels. The new album is meant to be fun but still makes you think and perhaps look at life just a little differently. I hope it inspires people to come out to a live show. Be it our show or some other artist. We all need to learn to live again and find joy where we can. Live music is communal.”
I appreciate Dan sitting down to answer my questions as well the opportunity to give the new album an advanced listen. Now I’ll chime in with my take on the new album but let me mention that both the original Salt Cedar Rebels album and the new one will be packaged together. At least on vinyl. Not sure about other formats.
The new album kicks off with a tip of the hat to the original with a rockin’ dance number called ‘Do It Again.’ The second track, “Hey Margaret” is a song Dan wrote about a big spider that lived on his porch back when he was raising his daughters. Sadly, Dan lost one of his daughters while recording this album so no doubt this track carries an added element of emotion.
“Jerry Jeff Walker” kicks the energy up another notch while unleashing Southern Rock vibes to go with the bold Texas vibes. “When You Coming Home” has an almost 90’s country vibe with an added touch of a Billy Joel ballad. I like to think ‘Undisputed Champion’ was Dan’s jab at ridiculous songwriting and clichés seen all too often in today’s mainstream country. The song has a country radio vibe musically, but definitely lands a few rocks on the foreheads of formulaic songwriters leaning into the corporate ilk of the music business.
My personal favorite on the album “Six Flags Over Jesus” is an unflinching incrimination of religious hypocrisy. The track has both bite and humor and when my vinyl arrives I will wear the needle out with this track.
“Riding for the 26th” showcases Dan’s love of history and romanticism. He has personal ties to the tale of military men of old as his grandfather was a member of this legion. I won’t spoil the song with added details, but this track will take you back in time with its emotionally laden word painting. The high octane feel continues with the swinging number, “Ain’t Coming Back.”
The aforementioned “For Alex” is followed by “Meanwhile in Mexico” which gives Buffet vibes, but the album isn’t done after ten tracks. Dan Johnson and the Salt Cedar Rebels give us a few more songs perhaps as interest after making us wait a decade between albums.
“A Lot More You” might be my second favorite track.
Coming with a jaunty, bright and sunny morning vibe the writing reminds me of vintage Kristofferson though Dan’s vocals are more uplifting. This track simply put a smile on my face. “Back in the Day” also has some vintage vibes and defiantly bucks modern music trends to give us a fun, carefree feel that only a person not chasing status can give us.
Make no mistake, despite the joy and energy this album is as outlaw as you’ll find today. Too many people think you have to be brooding and menacing to be an outlaw and sure Eastwood gave us that vibe often, but we shouldn’t forget the outlaw movement in music was all about bucking the norms, turning your back on corporate control and their incessant belief that success comes by copying hits already out there.
Dan Johnson is not the carbon copy type. Call him a Viking, call him an outlaw, but this Italian born, Kentucky raised songwriter who now calls Texas home does indeed have a name and it is Dan Johnson.
