[avatar]

Steve Johnston

@sjbatavia
Follow

Songs

8

Joined

2016

  • 45103 US
Steve Johnston
Pronouns He/him
Here I am at year 8. I've never been able to finish 14, but each year I’ve come away with good songs. So that’s a mission accomplished in my book.
As always I’m shooting to hit the mark this year.
I play acoustic music and I'm in a couple of bluegrass/Americana bands. Mandolin is my main instrument and I love it, and I also play some guitar, and this past year have been trying to learn a some clawhammer banjo. I the past I’ve usually written most of my original stuff on ukulele. I like the simplicity and versatility of the instrument...and it's just plain fun to play! I also have a U-Bass and can noodle out simple bass lines.

I have a simple studio set up and will be using Garageband (unless of course I panic and resort back to the Spire app in my iPhone.

Songs

Soundboard

[avatar]
Yo man, I'm dipping in and out, my time is limited cost of it being full harvest mode right now. But thanks for playing with me this year. I had fun.
[avatar]
Thank you for listening to "Beware of Dancing Robots" and dropping a very kind comment. I appreciate it!
One and a half years ago, I had no idea how to do any of that stuff either. However, there are tons of tutorials and step-by-steps out there! You just need a half-decent computer and any DAW (I started with a 4yr old laptop and 'Reason'). Sometimes, it almost feels like cheating, but it can be mentally challenging as well. I recommend to pick to pick any beginners electronic music tutorial any just dip your toes in it. :)
[avatar]
RE: Aokigahara Forest - Hey Steve! It's definitely one of the darkest songs that I've written, but I'm glad that I finally finished it. Thanks so much for your comments and kind words!
[avatar]
That is awesome! I will post a link on my page directing people to the song this evening as well! More later at work right now. Thanks!
[avatar]
@thetau
Thanks for dropping by... Please send me an email
Russ
[avatar]
So you like Preponderating? I stole almost every line from the uke lover's thread so that's probably why. You have good voice Steve. You play and write very well. Thanks for looking Preponderating over.
[avatar]
Thanks for the comment on Audition. But Eubie Blake? What was in my mind was actually Irving Berlin (and the piano version of Blue SKies I used to do for restaurant gigs) but inevitably my classical training catches up and takes over as inspiration flags.
[avatar]
Thanks for the comments on our collab, Steve! After a few years of FAWM, I'm finding one of the most unique and fun aspects is getting to collaborate with others who you don't really know but are drawn to something in their songwriting. I see you indulge in that part, too. I'll be back to listen...headed out currently. Anyway, enjoy your month!
[avatar]
Thanks for the listen / comment on my "Old Banjo" collab with @yewnorker.

Re: frailing / clawhammer. One of the things I found that was freeing about "frailing" or "clawhammer" was to think of the banjo primarily as a rhythm instrument: I don't need to play melody in lockstep with a notional fiddle player. The major effect of that choice is that my right hand gets super simple: no funky drop-thumb / double-thumb to get the "weird" melody notes. Instead, the off-beat notes are all in my left hand (as they would be on guitar / mando), played with hammer-ons, pull-offs, or slides.
[avatar]
@phylo
Steve, thanks for your kind words about my song Shallow Enders. I get so many comments about the Neil Young thing, that a couple years ago I wrote a song called, “I’m Not Neil Young”! I can’t escape it!
[avatar]
@doug52
Thank you for the kind words. Always appreciated. :)
[avatar]
That would be awesome! Thank you!
[avatar]
My email is lakesmusicpage@yahoo.com Thanks for participating
[avatar]
Hi Steve. The AT's on my list. But I'm getting old. Keep working on that clawhammer banjo!
[avatar]
Got it, thank you!
[avatar]
Hi Steve. We've been paired to work on a random collaboration. Looking forward to working with you. I'll send you an email.
John
[avatar]
Nice one, thank you!
[avatar]
Hi, how are you getting on with the song#5 for the harmony singing challenge please? 🙏
[avatar]
Thanks for the listen on fresh baked bread.
[avatar]
@kristi
Just letting you know I've been working on a lyric for our group in the Harmony Challenge and am in touch with our melody writer/singer.
[avatar]
@kristi
Hi! Nice to meet you and see what happens with the Harmony Singers Challenge!
[avatar]
@liz561
Looking forward to hearing some good tunes!
[avatar]
Thank you and happy FAWM! May this be your most creative year yet.
[avatar]
@scubed
HI, Steve! Happy FAWMing!
[avatar]
Thanks, brother!
[avatar]
I’m glad you liked the tuning and will give it a go. The whole of ‘Blood on the Tracks’ is in that tuning. I’m pretty sure that’s how I stumbled into it by playing those tabs.
I find that you often only need to hold down one string to get a good little lick going. Have fun!
[avatar]
Great stuff quilting. Making a quilt out of shirts is a good thing. You can find many inspirational photos of similar quilts on the internet. Just depends if you like more traditional or more modern styles.
Keep me posted.
[avatar]
Glad you're back. I like your Redhaired Girl from Little Rock song so much. Look forward to many more this year.
[avatar]
Hey Steve. Looking forward to following your lead through FAWM.
[avatar]
Hello from Florida! (Pretty sure I told you that I moved here from Springdale, north of Cincinnati - high school at Lakota in West Chester, where my parents still live.)
Of course I'd love to collab again - been sharpening my banjo skills.
[avatar]
BTW My wife and I went to Mariemont High School. I am from Fairfax and my wife is from Madison Place.
[avatar]
Hope we can work on something together this year. Past efforts have been enjoyable.
[FAWM]