From the first interview I did with James Johnston, a little over three years ago, it was clear he had put in the time to learn his craft as a songwriter and a performer, writing dozens of songs before even recording one, and playing at any venue that would have him even if he was just playing to bar staff. It took years, and his patience meant that when he started releasing songs he knew who he was, what the songs were about, and who they were for.
As a live performer he is the same, embodying confidence without arrogance, engaging wholeheartedly with the audience, giving them songs that mean something and are also entertaining. This was most starkly clear when I saw him play support for Kip Moore in Sydney yesterday at a large venue, the ICC, where it seemed like everyone knew the words to Johnston's songs and he looked like he was having the time of his life on stage.
All of that experience and that thought – and thoughtfulness – turns up in Johnston’s recorded songs. His debut album, RAISED LIKE THAT, was a full-spectrum offering of stories, and while some songs were serious they were all entertaining. Entertainment is at the core of who he is as an artist but it simply would not be effective without that intention and thought behind it.
Which brings us to his new single, ‘HELL BOY’, released today, 23 January 2025, which is a song to his sons and about embracing life. It is released just after Johnston has travelled on foot from Armidale to Tamworth to raise money for Ronald McDonald House, Tamworth and ahead of his show at Tamworth Town Hall. Johnston and I spoke about all of that and it was, as ever, great to catch up with him.
If you miss James Johnston in Tamworth you can see him on the following dates:
APRIL 5: MELBOURNE MUSTER, Caribbean Park VIC
MAY 3: QLD MUSIC TRAILS - OUTBACK SOUNDS, Charleville QLD
JUNE 27: COUNTRY FEST, Bloomsbury QLD
Listen to James Johnston on Apple Music
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