Robert Johnson - Guitar/Vocals
The Johnson Boys:
Dwight Johnson Jr. - Bass Guitar
Tony Macaluso - Lead Guitar
Dana Fasano - Drums
Jonathan Andrews - Banjo
Love Songs:
Sarah Purser - Piano/Vocals
Guest Appearances:
Eric Brewer - Harmonica, Lead guitar/African drum
Frank Mackey - African drums
Laurel Elmore - Back up vocals
Colin Bartoe - Back Up vocals/African drum
Gene! Mundae, Iain and Renee - Back Up vocals for such songs as Beulah Mae and Rainy Day
Influences
Sushi. It just taste so good!
Jeff Buckley, The Cure, Radiohead, Willie Dixon, Counting Crows, The Gypsy Kings, Tori Amos, Ben Harper, Jarabe de Palo, Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Ani D, Regina Spektor and Billy Joel. The train rides; the stiff drinks; the calmness of the siesta; the overnight street sweepers; the intertwined plazas and the women of Spain. The beaches; the long winding roads of the north; the laid back nature of her landscape and it's effect on those that inhabit her, and the sunsets of Southern California. The towering jungle of concrete; the pulsing throngs of people; the screeching of the subways; the long train rides upstate; the Hudson valley and the beautiful women of New York. The overwhelming green; the never-ending of trees and water; the unforgiving heat; the sugarwhite beauty of her shorelines; the constant flux of people; and the everlasting skies of Florida. The depth of her rich soil; the penetrating heat; the inundation of sounds, smells, and people that make up the village of Alagbado. And her ability to leave you in wonderment and awe and wanting more. (but not in that order)
Sounds Like
A deep passionate kiss on the side of the road before ending the night.
Robert Johnson started his travels very early in his life. His father, a Navy man, moved his family to a new place every few years until they settled in a small town in the panhandle of Florida. This is where Johnson's musical roots started to grow. There, he joined his church choir, started singing in school, and picked up the guitar for the first time. He began exploring the blues in his teen years and became the front man and songwriter for the band Blue Union. Playing the blues became a staple in Johnson's music. He was later influenced by the flamenco music of Madrid, Spain, where he lived and studied during his college years. He then traveled to New York for a brief period, and ultimately ended up back in Florida- this time in Orlando, where he finished his studies at the University of Central Florida.
In the fall of 2004, Johnson recorded his first demo: "San Francisco Can Wait," in Los Angeles with Jason Young (Dirty Champions, Dig This) and then traveled across the country for the next year playing in small clubs, bars, and open mics. Upon returning to Orlando (where he currently resides) Johnson began to work on his next collaborative project with Thaddeus Ressler, a classically trained Cellist from Chicago. This spawned: Robert and The Emotional Scars, and the production of "The Demo," an Ep showcasing the works created from this collaboration.
Robert and The Emotional Scars spent the first half of 2006 playing in and around Orlando. Some highlights were: The Emergenza Music festival; playing live on the radio for 91.5 WPRK; and having three songs showcased and being interviewed for The Scene on 95.7 The Hog, out of Daytona. The Song "Useless" was published on the Hurricane Healing vol. 4 cd, benefitting hurricane Katrina Victims.
Once "The Demo" is out, a small tour of Florida and the Southeast will ensue, before heading into the studio to record Robert's first full length album, "All She Took." Look forward to hearing that album sometime early next year.
May 3rd 2007
I haven't recorded anything in a year. But I have been working on putting shows together, trying to promote my fellow musicians in Orlando and abroad. I hope to soon work on some recordings. I've been writing a lot. Have some new music I hope for all to enjoy. I am very grateful to all that have embraced my music and have been kind enough to share it with others. It warms my heart to know that people "get it" and sing along. Tatame, Dandelion Cafe, and Orlando Brewing were the first places to listen and understand the importance of promoting original music. I am very grateful that Orlando has outlets/venues like these. It makes living and performing here, at least to me, much more enjoyable. Make sure you support your local scene. Whatever that scene may be (except cover band type of bullshit, that just annoys me).
November 1st 2007
The only real risk in life is dying without ever doing the things you always dreamed of. I don't want to die unfulfilled. The recording process has begun. The Acoustic Orlando Music Festival planning has started. Backpacking in Europe with Marianne will happen and touring in the Summer of 2008 with the Macaluso/Fasano duo, Arms Harbor, Ashton Morris, Raffa and Rainer, and Rachel Goodrich would be a dream come true.
June 16th 2008
I've started working on a new album. An album of love songs. I'll be mainly working with a pianist, cellist, and percussionist. It's going to be quite the adventure and I look forward to the journey.
September 11th 2008
For the past month I've been collaborating in a melding of minds that I call The Midnight Recording Sessions. I've welcomed amazing musicians from around town into my home to awaken the spirit that is music. We've shared many a story, had many a drink and burned many a smoke in this confined space. Some sessions have been about the creative flow that can only come from the freedom of no pretension. Making music just to make music. Some sessions have been about sharing with each other that which has already been created. Some have been about the poetry of life. But most of all they've been about people in a room, making music, and sharing that with everyone, whether it was flattering or not. I hope to write about these sessions while I'm away in Africa, and put together a cd to share with everyone. Keep the spirit alive.
Good job with ELLA Robert. You got a shout out in the weekly! Come on up to copper rocket on friday if you want to drink some beer and talk about things about things about things.
Come hang out with us.... It's not your average Reggae Party.
At CENTRAL STATION'S ROCK BAR 100 east Central blvd., Orlando, FL Playing the best Dancehall, Lovers Rock & Culture music, From Bob Marley to Sean Paul Thursday October 16, 2008 9pm to close. featuring $2 Bud select drafts & $3 soco&lime shots cummon down!!!
What's up homeslice? I'm really digging Marianne. You just keep pushing out these newly recorded tracks eh? I remember when you first wrote that song. Good times.
We just put up 4 new tracks from our EP this weekend. If you a have a moment or two. Let er rip. I think you'll dig it.
Hi Cherub, of course you can crash on my couch anytime in London, England! Can I come to Africa? You're photees look amazing a real journey x Good luck with your festival it looks likes its blown up big time xxx
ah! So I drove over to where I thought ELLA was and went around the area for about 30 minutes looking for it and finally gave up :( I didn't realize that the stage was INSIDE a building... FAIL! I'm really sorry! I really wanted to help out--if only I had found the place But hopefully see you Thursday? Sorry again for not being able to help out:( xoEm
Your A Good Man Charlie Brown!! Thanks for letting Me play with You @ the Peacock Room last night as You can tell I need all the practice I can get!!See You Friday @ the Copper Rocket For our show I hope. Later Bro. ~~~Fan Man
hi! the number for the hotel is 407.957.0770. they have a lounge there and some people who have played at new day play there. i let them know you would be calling to set up a date!
Robert! I cannot thank you enough for posting one of the takes from our midnight session! it sounds amazing! I was so enthralled in the music that i had absolutely no recollection that it sounded like that! ha. Awesome. anyway ill hit you up when i get back from my trip and hopefully we can discuss further musical oppurtunities! Take it easy my brotha pete.
Yo what up homeskillet? Like your new songs. still waiting for my homie hook up cd. I'l ltext you the address if you don't have it yet. keep rockin in the free world.
