Ismail Lawal, drum kit; Adam Sylvia, guitar; Stuart Wolferman, keys/vocals; & with regular appearances by Marc Alan Goodman on bass.
Influences
Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Modest Mouse, John Vanderslice, The National, Midlake, Wilco, George Jones, Bruce Springstein, Bill Withers, Grandaddy, Spoon, Pavement, Neutral Milk Hotel, Cormac McCarthy, Tobias Wolf, Asher Lev, Atticus Finch, the plains, carpool, that scruffy 3&2 coach, 70s cinema set in NYC, loveable losers, the underdog, PSAs about tree climbing
Imaginary Johnny has slowly but surely evolved from an electronica-laced solo project to full-fledged rock band. With a past that includes three distinctive and critically acclaimed albums, it’s evident on the latest release, Only Chimneys, that Imaginary Johnny has arrived at a unique balance of poetic songwriting and powerful minimalist performances.
Sporting its longest-standing and most cohesive lineup yet: Adam Sylvia on guitar, Ismail Lawal on drums, songwriter Stuart Wolferman on vocals and keys, and Marc Alan Goodman on bass, Imaginary Johnny paints a broad landscape, with private meditations one moment that erupt into defiant anthems the next. Sylvia’s guitar playfully weaves in and out of the main melodic thread – subtle but unmistakable. Lawal is similarly restrained and is as lyrical and expansive with his drum kit as Wolferman is vocally.
With postmodernism having devoured anything resembling sincerity, IJ’s candor stands out. The band’s quiet ferocity along with the tightly crafted songs with themes of outcasts and tiny moments add up to something bigger and combine to create a sound that is undeniably honest.
Video for Imaginary Johnny's "Work Related" from the 2006 release Painting Over the Dirt. Directed by Jeff Ullman.
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"If the debut from Imaginary Johnny is any indication of what's to come, Belle and Sebastian best be watching its back. Muffled broadcasts and tweakedout squiggles peg lyrics about instant coffee, tropical rain storms and purple-clad prostitutes... summery ballads flutter past like sweet visions of rose colored icing on a three-tier wedding cake... the commentary on love, loss, and New Orleans never grows tiresome." -MAGNET
"Whether through words or sounds, it never feels artificial and never overriding. This, in a sense, is indie-pop's equivalent to Willie Nelson'sRed Headed Stranger. It really is that good." -BROWNSVILLE HERALD
"While there are other singer-songwriters who enhance their storytelling with electronics, Imaginary Johnny envelopes acoustics, burbles and ideal pop vocals into a gentle, less-handled whole... Imaginary Johnny is either arriving at a new place or painting a picture of where he's been, sometimes fitful and other times content. The Upside of the Downside, with its warm fills and club-affectionate beats, is a songwriter with equal regard for electronics and illumination." -INDIEWORKSHOP.COM
A TREE IS KNOWN BY ITS FRUIT FROM THE TIPS OF ITS LEAVES DOWN TO ITS DEEPEST ROOTS INCORRUPTIBLE AND TRUE LESS IT WITHERS AND DIES, DARK GROUND OF HISTORY
Thank you...we try to dig on everyones interest's or the sounds they enjoy,..We like what you had going on your page...and figured we would take the chance, you would like what we enjoy the most...and thats make music...but for the most part... now that we got that horrible and cheesy statement out of the way....this looks like another typical, but somewhat long band comment... But heck at least its a comment... Right?
try hitting the revolution hall in troy next time you come "upstate", wish you were planning a nyc show this weekend, my itinerary is looking pretty sparse~ any recommendations?
Imaginary Johnny are featured in my May show on Dandelion Radio, a Peel-inspired online station playing exciting new and unsigned music. We are a fully-licensed Internet station that is run and presented by volunteers recording monthly shows.
Hello Imaginary Johnny! I..m just checking your site, listening your songs, appreciating good music! I invite u to listen my new songs if u have time . Greetings and a hug from Mexico City. Your friend MIKO.
thank you verry much for the FRIENDSHIP! hope you dig my tunes... ;-) IN FUNK WE TRUST and may the groove be with you... ;-) there is a BRAND NEW tune in my player... a fusion of: ROCK, FUNK, BREAKs, WORLD, GOA, GOSPEL, DRUM n BASS, and... ;-) PulpFusion
I miss you guuuuuuys too! I have lost my driver's license! Let's hope Louisiana can send a duplicate soon. I want to drink with Imaginary Johnny. And I want to live.
