Calvin Johnson

Artist interview/article: Published in The Brag, 7/5/07.

We'll come back for Indian Summer

Calvin Johnson has a deep voice and I can’t stress to you enough the word deadpan in regards to him; in interviewing him and in all of his music he deadpans like no other; it’s really something. He’s a real personality, and one that’s influence has been felt more than perhaps any other on DIY and indie music in the last two decades. In 1982 Calvin started K records; a label that is certainly one of the most integral in terms of modern independent music ideologies. This label is home to Beat Happening, Cool Rays, The Go Team, The Halo Benders and Dub Narcotic Sound System, the last of which his studio is also named. Recently in the studio Old Time Relijun have finished their new album, as has the band Jeremy J.

Still, he’s just put out a new album (his third under the CJ name) entitled Calvin Johnson and the Sons of Soil on which he reworks various songs from the aforementioned bands. He’s also recently collated a Beat Happening box set, and he says he likes listening to those records – “those are pretty good records”.

““I’m not sure if I ever was passionate about making music, I don't think I’m very good at making records but I like performing live; I think that’s where I excel.
“I’m leaving on tour in a few weeks around the US and Canada with a guy as my accompanist; Brett Lyman. We’re also touring with a Canadian artist called Julie Doroin. That’s going to be fun; I’m looking forward to it.”

Last time I saw Calvin play in Sydney, he played a cover of Kylie Minogue’s ‘Love at First Sight’. It was amazing. I told Calvin this.

“Yeah. She’s pretty good.” He depanned. I wondered, though, how much he listens to Top 40 radio; how much popular music makes it into his speakers?

“I don't listen to it a whole lot. It’s pretty rare that it penetrates; I don't know much about it. I guess there are just so many hours in the day. There’s lots of music in the world, and no one can listen to all of it, so we just listen to what we want to, or what we can. I mean, your average person doesn’t listen to music hardly at all. They might listen to it casually; they hear something, they like it. I’m sure that I listen to more music than most people just because I have to. But even then I’m sure I’m not hearing even an Nth of what is out there.”

Being such a big listener of music, I thought Calvin might go through phases where music just doesn’t do it for him; I know I certainly do, but Calvin says it’s like saying “I’m tired of eating”. But you know what, sometimes I get tired of eating. I mean, there are a lot of different foods out there, but sometimes I just can’t decide what to get for lunch. You know?

“I enjoy eating. I like pears. Olives are good. When I was in Australia a few months ago I went to this shop in Melbourne, and it was all food from Victoria and I had some olives that were from Victoria and they were very good.”

“Each person has their own way of expressing themselves and I think that I hear new ideas in music all the time. When I hear someone make music and I like it, it’s exciting”.

Despite Calvin’s quirks and the often absurd nature of his music, there’s a strong honesty that runs through his own music and the music he enjoys.

“I don't particularly like satirical music. I like music that has humor in it; I like music that has whimsy. But I don't really like satire mixed with music very much. The Mothers of Invention were very satirical; and that’s probably why I’ve never really liked them. I certainly respect Frank Zappa but I have never appreciated the music very much. I like to think that I’m drawn to people who’s expressions are honest and genuine. I think that’s pretty much the only thing.”