*Partners-in-crime (appearing in recordings, and occasionally live):
Justin Jahnke - electric guitar, vox
Nate Edwards - vox, accordian
Ben Johnson - electric and acoustic guitars, vox
Kari Bethke - vox, violin, mandolin
Mark Roethke - guitar
Influences
Jeffrey Foucault, Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams, Iron & Wine, Gillian Welch, Leonard Cohen, Sufjan Stevens, Townes Van Zandt, Paul Otteson, Patchwork, Landon Arkens, Greg Brown, Nick Drake, Redbird, Nickel Creek, Hank Williams, Mississippi John Hurt, Ben Harper, Cat Stevens, Emmylou Harris, Archer Prewitt, Peter Mulvey, Bright Eyes, Loudon Wainwright III, Bill Mallonee, Tracy Chapman, Michelle Shocked, Railroad Earth, Tom Waits, Daniel Johnston, Phil Ochs, Vic Chesnut, Uncle Tupelo, Nirvana, Woody Guthrie, John Prine, Guy Clark, Rocky Votolato, Sun Kil Moon, Leo Kottke, Amos Lee, Andrew Bird, Dave Van Ronk, Ben Kweller, Beth Orton, Kris Kristofferson, Paul Simon, Neil Young, Sparklehorse, Steve Earle, Johnny Cash, Alison Krauss, Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Josh Ritter, Wilco, John Fahey, Joni Mitchell, Yonder Mountain String Band, Beck, John Gorka, David Gray, Neko Case, Jay Farrar, Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers Band, Ani DiFranco, the Beatles, the Black Keys, Bob Marley, the Carter Family, Cinematic Orchestra, Coldplay, CSNY, Damien Rice, David Francey, Death Cab For Cutie, Doc Watson, Drive-By Truckers, Elizabeth Cotten, Flame Shark, Gov’t Mule, Jaymay, Joe Purdy, Lucinda Williams, Mason Jennings, Michael Houser, Modest Mouse, Oly, Pearl Jam, Phish, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Sonic Youth, Talking Heads, Thalia Zedek, Thurston Moore, Tom Petty, Warren Haynes, Widespread Panic
Sounds Like
Ryan Adams, Townes Van Zandt, Leonard Cohen, Loudon Wainwright III, Rocky Votolato, Jeffrey Foucault, the Carter Family, Phil Ochs, Sufjan Stevens
Given a guitar by his grandmother when he was 15 years old, John quickly put his background in music from playing the piano and trombone to good use. After playing in a few different bands, John began to delve into songwriting at the age of 19. Now 24, he has already played all over Wisconsin, as well as in 20 other states and the Canadian province of New Brunswick. Along the way John has opened for and shared the stage with the likes of Ben Kweller, Ari Hest, Jeffrey Foucault, OM Trio and Steve Poltz.
A well-known performer in his home town of Madison, WI (John recently won a MAMA award for "Folk/Americana Album of the Year" for his first album, Dusk Came Slow), he is now touring the greater United States. Along the way he has played cities from Kansas City to New York City, Cleveland to Austin, TX, and was even invited to the 2007 Wakarusa Festival in Lawrence, KS. In July of 2007, John released his 2nd album in just two years, entitled Our Love Was Made For Canada, and is currently performing the brand new songs at acoustic venues... everywhere.
"Statz's substantial acoustic tracks make Our Love... an album for the outdoors if there ever was one, a profound piece of Americana."
WNUR 89.3 - Northwestern University campus radio
Evanston, IL
"Our Love Was Made For Canada" The Onion Review
"Madison songwriter John Statz's patient grasp of acoustic folk should soon put him alongside state favorites like Jeffrey Foucault"
The Onion
June 28, 2007 | Volume 43 Issue 26
theonion.com
The Capital Times - "Our Love..." Review
"His voice, slightly nasal but bravely forthright, is the most unassuming one in this survey. He sounds as if he picked up a guitar from his bed and said, "Hey, wanna hear somethin'?" Yet his music is as affecting as any of them. Statz's take on "Can the Circle Be Unbroken?" is quirky, funky and fresh, without any pretense. But his own songs pack a quiet punch. His concise storytelling in the offhandedly chilling "Every Other Time" manages to telescope complex socio-political dynamics. Like Foucault, Statz, 23, is an artful protester, deftly spinning acrid, metaphoric variations on the song's loaded title word."
"His music contains beautiful guitar playing and a voice that harkens back to the golden age of folk artists when they honed their craft performing whenever and wherever they could. The raspy vocals add a certain honesty to his words. When he covers the classic "Can The Circle Be Unbroken" he shows an ability to tap into the gospel heritage of folk that many ignore."
"Anyone who likes Bob Dylan — which should be everyone — can groove along with John Statz's soothing, soulful and skillful scores delivered with his Dylanesque soft voice. His passionate songwriting, cool guitar and harmonica also evoke Dylan."
John Statz's ideal significant other would be a very polite outdoorsy type with a passion for hockey, beer and quality, affordable health care. At least that's the impression I get from the title of his sophomore release "Our Love Was Made For Canada."
Wisconsin State Journal - Rhythm 7/5/07
JOHN STATZ: Our Love Was Made For Canada
"Madison songwriter John Statz's patient grasp of acoustic folk should soon put him alongside state favorites like Jeffrey Foucault" - The Onion
JOHN STATZ: Dusk Came Slow
The debut album, "Dusk Came Slow", is MAMA's "Folk/Americana Album of the Year" for 2007. - www.themamas.org
hey john, very nice tunes you have here...anyways, i just wanted to stop by and thank you for finding me on here....i hope you had a great holiday....and that you enjoy my music...
Hey John, You really sounded great today. Wanted to stay and chat but Julie had to get to work. Great Job though and hope to meet up one of these days. Keep on livin the dream my man!
Hey there John, FGC’s got some great shows coming up in Wisconsin the next few weeks. First up is Summerfest in Milwaukee, where we’ll be rocking the Miller Stage at 6:30pm on Friday July 4th (just before Phil Lesh!).
Next up are two FatFest pre-parties with Fat Maw Rooney: Thursday July 17th at The Majestic Theater in Madison and Friday July 18th at the Miramar Theater in Milwaukee. Both shows are open to ALL AGES and will offer chances to win tickets to Fatfest!
Have a great summer and hope to see you out there!
America!! See you on July 4th! I'll bring some beans and franks. If'n you wanna go for a bike ride or get some breakfast or what not, let's do that. -Justin
