March 2, 2010 – Montgomery, Alabama – Johnny Lanson is leading in Guitar Center’s contest to record with Slash (of Guns ‘N Roses) and lock-in the an opening spot to perform in Slash’s Monster Energy Bash.
Johnny Lanson is a hybrid artist. His song “My Own Two Hands,” which has been entered into the contest--blends southern rock with hip-hop and has recently gained an immense response from contest listeners. It has also earned more than 25,000 hits at johnnylanson.com.
Roderick E. Sullen, a freelance writer and music critic says of Johnny Lanson’s debut album, “His heavyweight musical approach and straightforward lyrics and vocals leave a mental impression similar to mainlining vodka and Red Bull. Laced with hip-hop heavy beats and southern rock sensibility, Lanson takes his listeners on a ride-through of the new South.”
The lead single from Johnny Lanson’s self-titled album, “Eye On You” featuring Banks, Herve’ Owens, and Jungle Baby has helped generate local buzz on both 97.9 Jamz (WJWZ-Montgomery) and Hot 105.7 (WZHT-Montgomery). It has gained the support of many of Alabama’s most well known club DJ’s including DJ Frank White (97.9 Jamz), DJ Tre (The South’s Crunkest), and Michael London aka DJ Shadow (Census Road Tour 2010), among others.
His self-titled debut features an eclectic blend of rock, hip-hop, pop, and acoustic styles— with 15 full songs including: My Own Two Hands, Carson Daly, Eye On You, and more. Available now on iTunes, Amazon, Lala, and other online retailers.
Johnny is one new artist who is hell-bent on widening the music scene. His heavyweight musical approach and straightforward lyrics and vocals leave a mental impression similar to mainlining vodka and Red Bull. Laced with hip-hop heavy beats and southern rock sensibility, Lanson takes his listeners on a ride-through of the new South.
The album opens with the funky cut “Welcome” which invites everyone, particularly women, to enter at their own risk. Its sexy, pulsating rhythm and wild guitar licks surround Lanson’s dark vocal delivery. Making it past “Welcome” you are invited to “Slip Inside” his sexual world where he cautions that pleasure can be found in his “Own Two Hands” or with the addition of “Bubbles.” The album takes a turn for the Southern rock lover with the infectious opus “Carson Daly,” whose bouncy flow is perfect for a ride down your favorite country road.
“Fix” is an aggressive social commentary on the collective angry dismay of the masses, urging you to get in, get right or get gone! Heavy, frantic guitar riffs and direct lyrics are the order of the day. The album rounds out with “Goodbye” and “Remember Me”, two personal and poignant tracks about depression and life. “Goodbye,” with its soulful organ and vocals will capture your attention and garner repeated replay despite its dark subject matter. “Remember Me” offers Lanson loyalists the honest story of the man behind the music in classic Southern rock style. This acoustic guitar cut is pure and beautiful, reaching out with words of encouragement and understanding.
If you love real music and not cookie-cutter, industry-driven, mass-produced “products,” I invite you to look into Johnny Lanson.
Hello Johnny And Thank You So Much For This Interview! First Off, How Do The Songs Come About, Considering The Songwriting Process And What Inspires You? Every song on this record is about personal experience. No fairy tales. No starved attempts for a hit, even the song “Bubbles”,I woke up after a Nyquil binge with the piano playing in my head. Every song comes about in a unique way, but the best songs all seem to flow from somewhere deep within my subconscious, so they all have that in common. When a song flows out of you, it takes a lot less work. Every song has a unique story behind it, but this ain’t Storytellers.
Any Songs You Have Written That Hold An Extra Place In Your Heart? And If So, Why? “Remember Me” is the best song I’ve written. My father was killed by an eighteen-wheeler when I was sixteen; that song captures a huge part of my life, his life, and my relationship with him. A lot of emotion came through when I was writing those lyrics. People often tell me they get chill bumps or that they’ve cried during that song,to be able to convey and relate emotion to someone and make them feel what you feel,that’s what it’s all about.
What Are Your Thoughts On The Recording Sessions? I’ve always had a fascination, or more of an obsession, with recording. I found a 70’s instrumentals cassette in the bottom of my dad’s closet when I was maybe seven years old. I put it in a boombox, hit play, and started writing lyrics to the music. Then, I’d record it playing along with my vocals onto a “My First Sony” tape recorder. Too much info. I started my own studio, professionally in 2006, a great learning experience. Fast-forward to now; I do all of my recording and production myself, with the exception of a couple tracks on the record. I play most of the instruments myself. I record at night. A nice looking vocal booth does not give me a hard on. Really nice T. and A. just may.
What About The First Show You Played, Any Memories? It was a youth event at a church in Hope Hull, Alabama. The band consisted of Jason Givens (of Corban Road), myself, Josh Butler, and Josh Smart. My guitar sounded like a train wreck. Fun times.
So Far, What Has Been Your Best Live Experience? I don’t know about best, I can tell you about the funniest though. Banks drank an ungodly amount of vodka one night when we were scheduled to open up for Rick Ross. He started stripping on stage in such a provocative manner that a juicy black chick was inspired to hike one leg up onto the stage and proceed to gyrate her tits in and out of her dress repeatedly. That shit was funny as fuck.
Favourite Colours? Pink. But not necessarily to wear or anything, well I guess technically it could be worn, in a sort of roundabout way.
Favourite Food? Fried oysters, clam strips, crab claws, crab legs, I love seafood.
Any Memories Of The First Concert You Attended? Yeah, I was 12 or 13. “Damask Rose” was their name. I remember thinking how I’d like to play on stage someday.
Any Bands/Artists You Enjoy Listening To That People Might Find Surprising? I was completely fed up with my life and depressed as fuck. I had gone through about thirty thousand dollars, quickly. So I got in my truck, threw both of my cell phones out the window on the interstate and started heading south, in hopes of finding a way to just end it all. I spotted a steak house,mom and pop type of place somewhere near Mobile, went in ate the most expensive steak and seafood they had, drank about ten beers, left the lady three hundred dollars, went to Wal-Mart, bought Peter Frampton Live, George Michael’s Faith, and Rod Stewart’s Greatest Hits. I sat and listened to all of them and then slept the rest of the night across the bench seat of my truck. Hootie & the Blowfish is my favorite band; Everclear is right there with them. I really like Wilson Pickett. I’d like to work with Rehab and Yelawolf one day, check ‘em out if you haven’t.
Any Important Happenings That The Public May Not Be Aware Of Yet? It snowed twice in February; several inches each time in Montgomery, Alabama. Al Gore should go eat a dick.
So What Else Do You Have Planned For This Year? Music videos! Also, talking to a couple of labels, hoping to work something out that I can stomach. Been doing some solo acoustic gigs, looking to do more. Really want to get the band thing going strong, just need a raw lead guitarist, I know I’ve been called “The Musical Wizard,” but even superheroes like myself can’t play two guitars at one time.
What Do You Want To Say To The Fans? Thanks for the support so far. I sincerely appreciate it. Make sure to friend me and fan me on Facebook! Also, be sure you get the lead single “Eye On You” on your mp3 player. You can download it online for free! Last but not least, if there be any shred of your inner-self containing the slightest concern for my wellbeing, buy my album!!! Stay Suave.
