Todd Anders Johnson-Drums and vocals, Rob Garland-Bass, Dexter Payne-sax and flute, Mike Smith and Ronneka Cox-keys, Scott Lane and Thomas Haupt-Guitar, Dave Rajewski and Gabe Mervine-Trumpet, Larry Hoff-Percussion
Neye Benziyor?
Michael Franti-Spearhead, Ozomatli, Sting, Sublime
“Salem unites seemingly disparate topics: global peace and powder shots. Salem is as much at home in Warren Miller’s film Off the Grid as it is participating in Bono’s global ‘One Campaign.’ Blending jazz, funk, spoken word and some Afro-Cuban beats, it makes crowds dance and think.” Katy Niner, Jackson Hole News and Guide, March 12th, 2008
“Salem's Todd Anders Johnson reinvented his band when he moved to Colorado a couple of years ago. His socially conscious reggae/Afro-influenced music has found a home in the ski and snowboard industry, as its soundtrack. After being featured on Warren Miller's "Off the Grid," he and band are touring with the athletes, playing X-Games last weekend, Copper's U.S. Freesking Tour and the Jeep King of the Mountain Tour.” Leslie Brefeld, Summit Daily News, January 31, 2008
“Like Bono and Franti, Johnson utilizes his music to help create awareness. Masterfully weaving hip-hop, neo-soul, funk, jazz, and Afro-Cuban styles, Salem is bound to move and groove you.” Rebecca Thoreson, Telluride Daily Watch, November 9th, 2007
“Todd Anders Johnson can pound out mad beats while culling some tight lyrics, reaching that percussive Nirvana of five-part independence. Salem is certainly a band on the rise.” Jason Blevins, Denver Post, January 30, 2008
“ Salem, a band with an eclectic mix of Hip-Hop, Funk and Afro-Cuban music, bridges that gap and creates a union between these genres. The end product is a groundbreaking and unique sound.” Spotlight story by Nicole Cormier, Colorado Music Buzz Magazine, January 2008
“In Salem, the drummer/composer uplifts his band with infectious grooves and dynamic interplay, while also rhyming thought provoking and socially-conscious lyrics.” Michael Dawson, Modern Drummer Magazine, November 2006
Salem has released the group's debut studio CD, As It Is Above, So It Is Below.
You can purchase downloads and CD orders at:
Salem Live at the X Games, 48 Straight King of the Mountain, Breckenridge Spring Massive Festival, Seattle Hempfest etc.
Todd Anders Johnson Heli-Boarding Valdez
Todd Anders Johnson's Risan Project Movie Trailer
Salem playing Timeless live on KGNU in Boulder featuring P-Nut Daniels
Salem playing Many Have Tried live on KGNU in Boulder featuring P-Nut Daniels
Harvest by Salem recorded by Geoff Gray, edited by Kim Schneider for Warren Miller with Corona and was featured in the 2008 Warren Miller national tour for the new film, Playground.
Todd Anders Johnson is an activist, music producer, drummer, vocalist and lyricist. His funk, Afro-Cuban jazz and Hip-Hop compositions are performed in Salem.
Todd is producing a documentary film and multi-media tour series called the Risan Project, with a focus on perspectives on glacial recession. Todd began filming in Alaska in March 2009 with on site footage on the Ruth Glacier and interviews with scientists and mountaineers throughout the state. Todd has now been nominated as a Cloudveil inspired mountain ambassador. He is now sponsored by Libtech Snowboards, Ayotte Drums, Columbia Sportswear, Native Eyewear, Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures, Folsom Custom Skis and Boulder Outdoor Center. The group has played at the biggest ski and snowboard events like EXPN’s Winter X 12 Games, the 48 Straight King of the Mountain in Sun Valley, the US Freeskiing Open in Copper, and the Northface Masters US Snowboarding World Championships in Girdwood, Alaska. Todd has been featured in Modern Drummer magazine in the "On the Move" column in the November issue of 2006 and the new Salem CD review is featured in the June 2009 Modern Drummer issue.
Salem has now released the group’s debut studio record, "as it is above, so it is below" and it is available online at Digstation, CDBaby and iTunes. The album was recorded at Far & Away Studios in Boulder, Colorado, by Geoff Gray. The first track, Northward, was mixed at Outkast’s Stankonia Studios by Grammy winning mix engineer and studio manager, John Frye. The album was mastered by Grammy-winning mastering engineer, David Glasser, at Airshow Mastering in Boulder.
Salem has been working with Kim Schneider, Warren Miller's video and music editor, over the last few years with new mergings of Salem music and epic Warren Miller ski and snowboard footage. "Harvest" toured the nation with the film, "Playground" and Salem music was featured in "Off the Grid" as well.
Salem has been on CD release tours all year through Colorado,Utah, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, Wyoming and Alaska. Salem headlined the Seattle Hempfest for 10,000 people in August. Salem has performed nationally alongside acts such as Keller Williams, Pato Banton, De La Soul, Sweatshop Union, The Meters (PBS), Bone Thugs N Harmony, DJ Logic, Stanton Moore and Will Bernard, Hells Belles, Mama's Cookin, Tab Benoit, Rebirth Brass Band, The Motet, Steve Earle and Zilla. Salem festival dates include the Winter X12 Games, the Jeep King of the Mountain World Championships in Sun Valley, the Suzuki US Freeskiing Open at Copper, the Subaru US Freeskiing Open in Jackson, the US Snowboarding Open in Girdwood, Alaska and the Breckenridge Spring Massive Festival. National festivals include the Rukus in the Rafters in Crested Butte, Nedfest in Nederland, the Seattle Folklife Festival on the Mother Jones stage, Anchorage's Live After Five Series, the Girdwood Forest Fair and the Southeast Alaska State Fair.
In September 2007, Todd travelled to Washington DC to meetings with Bono's organization, One Coalition, Jubilee Coalition, Sierra Club and Friends of the Earth regarding the international promotion of the Salem song Saragua. In November, One Campaign brought Todd to Philadelphia to UPENN for him to take part on a panel discussion and to perform Salem music. Todd composed Saragua around the poem titled "Saragua"written by Ken Saro-Wiwa. The song features performances by Salem, Nigeria's Bola Abimbola joining Todd on vocals, Ghana's Mohammad Alidu and Guinea's, Fara Tolno joining Todd's drumming on djembe, dun dun, talking drum and bell.
Interviews and reviews about Salem have been featured on PLUM TV in Nantucket, Sun Valley and Telluride, Colorado Music Buzz Magazine, The Summit Daily News, Telluride Daily Watch, Grand County News, Denver Post, Nantucket's Independent and the Inquirer and Mirror, Boston Universitys Daily Free Press, The Phoenix in Portland, ME, The Anchorage Free Press, Homer News, Fairbanks Daily News Miner, Juneau Empire, Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Lewiston Tribune, and the Northwest Jazz Chronicle and more.Salem music has been played on radio stations nationwide and the group has had radio interviews and live performances in Boulder, Telluride, Boston, Nantucket, Burlington, Seattle, Idaho, Homer, Anchorage, Girdwood, Fairbanks, Seward, Haines, and Juneau.
Killer show last night guys, big ups and mad respect from Vashon Island....that was a blast. Nothing but positive feedback still pouring in, everyone had a great time. Thanks for comin' out to the Island, can't wait 'til the next time you come through. Keep in touch and we'll put something on the books when you're ready. Thanks again! ~pete~
Long time no talk Todd! things have been super crazy in my world, getting this whole thing together! we won't be out till boulder until July sometime... hope to cross paths man,
Hey Love. Been busy busy and on FB more than here. Back to BtZ project and got your comment finally. Looking at AK heli-ski pics today and missin' the snow but can't have both at once! Lost your digits- give me a ring or email and would love to hear the new CD. Maybe we can get you to Miami for the big winter music season. Namaste'
Happy Halloween! I switched the dates and have been spreading the word...If you could work your magic with the paper that would be sweet...I had guys from the paper in last night and totally spaced asking them who you should talk to...duh! I will get that info. later today and send you a text.....hope your musician costume works out for ya;)
Playing/Traveling with you, Todd, was DEFINITELY an experience! We have GOT to do this again. I'm loving your drive and your passion, it's simply contagious. You help me realize why I love doing what I do when I forget about it and focus on the sacrifices I have to make! Let's make beautiful music and take it to the masses. xoXo-KirandaShaune'
Right now I'm working for The Shoot Out Boulder - 24 Hour Film Making Festival - October 10-12. There is a call for entries and they have workshops to teach you how to do create a fast film in camera! The festival is open to amateurs and professionals.
Please visit http://www. theshootoutboulder. com for all the details about how to enter, workshops and tickets to see the top 10 winners at the Boulder Theater October 12, 1 p.m. !
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