Music Q&A with Sam Johnson
Photo by Erin Thurlow
Boston-based singer/songwriter with punk rock roots, Sam Johnson (frontman of the post-hardcore band, Choke Up) released his debut album, Along the Dark Edges of Everything via What We Talk About Records in September! In this Q&A, Sam talks about the album, his favorite band to see live, and more! Along the Dark Edges of Everything is out NOW!
Congratulations on the release of your debut album, Along the Dark Edges of Everything! What does the album mean to you?
For as long as I've been writing punk songs, I've been writing folk songs. I never really did anything with them though; I always felt more comfortable making music with my band, Choke Up. Releasing Along the Dark Edges of Everything after all this time feels a bit like pulling back the curtain on this other side of me.
With the way things have been for the last 18 to 20 months, how did the last year and a half affect the creative process and making of the album?
Fortunately the album was pretty much complete by the time the pandemic hit. I think I got the masters back in March 2020. So the making of the album wasn't really affected, but its release certainly was. With everything going on in the world, it just didn't feel right to devote time and energy into putting the album out and expecting people to embrace it -- there were more important things to focus on. So, Dark Edges got tucked away for most of 2020. It wasn't until a few months into the new year that we got the ball rolling on release plans. I spent years making this record, so I didn't mind waiting a little bit longer.
What is your favorite song off Along the Dark Edges of Everything?
My favorite song on the album is probably “Black Sheep Wine”. It came together almost magically -- I wrote it in about 20 minutes at my kitchen table, and then once I started tracking it in the studio all of these new ideas began to pour out. Normally songwriting is a long, challenging process for me, but “Black Sheep Wine” felt like it had already been written and I was just rediscovering it.
When it comes to writing music with your post-hardcore band, Choke Up, and for your solo project, how different is the creative process?
The initial creative process is fairly similar. When I’m writing songs for Choke Up, I typically start with an acoustic guitar by myself and create a general outline for a song. Then it really comes to life once I bring it to the band and we add to it and refine it. It started the same way with these solo songs--alone with an acoustic guitar. But since I knew I wouldn’t be leaning on the band or able to rely on that energy, I added some depth to the guitar playing--more intricate fingerpicking and chord voicings--and really tried to write songs that would sound good full band or completely stripped down. Bringing them to life in the studio was really exciting because there were no expectations; I had the freedom to explore any direction that called to me and celebrate these rootsy genres that I've always loved.
Who has been your favorite band to see live?
This is a tough one. I think my favorite bands from Boston to see live are Luau and Me In Capris. Outside of Boston, Steve Earle, the National, Kacey Musgraves, Lorde, Muna, and Comadre have put on some of my all-time favorite shows.
What is one artist or band that you haven’t seen in concert, that you hope to see someday?
Tom Petty and John Prine were two artists I had always dreamed of seeing live but never got a chance to. For current artists - I'd love to see Snail Mail and Waxahatchee. I've had Valentine on repeat since it came out and I think Lindsay's guitar work is so cool. And Saint Cloud is probably my favorite album from the past five years. I could go on and on though: Leon Bridges, Julia Jacklin, Kendrick Lamar, Carly Rae Jepsen, SZA, Tom Waits, War On Drugs - would love to see 'em!
What is your favorite thing about making music?
My favorite thing about making music is the therapeutic nature of it. Whether it's a super emotional song or just a chill riff, songwriting is always a really meditative process for me. And then, of course, when I'm playing in a band, getting to make music with friends is a joy.
How do you stay positive?
I stay positive by keeping things in perspective and remembering that I've got some great people in my corner.
Any last words or final message for the readers?
Be good to each other and be good to yourself!