Candlestick jumping is a form of fortune telling with a pinch of physical sport thrown in. Lore states that clearing a candle without extinguishing the flame will bring the jumper good luck the following year. If an attempt fails and the flame goes out completely the consequence is shit city revisited. Everyone strives for good fortune but few know what to do once they are granted their every wishes. The trick is to tease out the finer things in life without singeing your ass in the process. Hence, the best way to welcome prosperity is with a modest handshake and a smile of absurdity.
Eric Johnson is an Oakland, CA. songsmith who has had his fair share of flirting with flickering flames. His first notable leap of faith was fronting the bubblegum sass punk outfit The Time Flys. An outwardly brazen band of deliberate persona and fearless irreverence. Time Flys had a fantastic run but after a few years the momentum splintered and they eventually dissolved. As of recent times Eric's efforts have been concentrated on Sir Lord Von Raven. A band consisting and various East Bay mainstays with Eric once again flanking the lead position. Equally as intelligent as vigorous SLVR's sound encapsulates the band's influences; Glam, Power Pop, vintage Rock 'N' Roll and skewed songwriting.
Johnson has consistently shown style and character with an exemplary attention to quality songwriting with every project he has been involved with. Most importantly elements of sarcastic wit and devilish humor have been ever present throughout. Keep jumping those candles and may that flame never go out.
- Preferred instrument for songwriting?
Guitar? I've sang with several punk type bands as a youth, but didn't play any instruments (I formed The Cuts with Andy Jordan and Carlos Palacios, but only sang). I realized that I couldn't get by humming shit to people for too long and finally started playing at about 21 years old.
Guitar? I've sang with several punk type bands as a youth, but didn't play any instruments (I formed The Cuts with Andy Jordan and Carlos Palacios, but only sang). I realized that I couldn't get by humming shit to people for too long and finally started playing at about 21 years old.
- Can you approximate how many songs you're written in your life thus far?
Do you count the ones that never see the light of day? A couple hundred.
- Is songwriting a spontaneous affair or do you have a ritual for conjuring ideas?
It's completely spontaneous, but I have to make time to create it (since I'm raising a little boy and making sure our house doesn't fall down). Its magic when the songs write themselves and you seem to be a vessel for it.
- Can you chronicle or explain the typical process in which you go about transforming a spark of an idea into a complete song?
Usually I will have a phrase of desired text or phrase that impresses me. A lot of humor is involved most of the time ( "Bare Bottom Time"- I'm sure you could guess what that's about,.... etc.) Then I just hit the guitar looking for either a hook and a riff that match. I'm pretty limited in within my capabilities, but I try not to let that stop me. Sometimes I will write a song and play it back another day and recognize a melody or other that sounds like an existing song from an old charting hit hit from the past, Then I'll freakout and try to correct it by changing the key or tempo and what not. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Then you trash it and start over. Sometimes if a riff or hook doesn't work with what I'm doing at the time I will then stow them away and use them later in mix and match method. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Who cares?! Because its all worth it when you sit down to write and the motherfucker writes it self. Sometimes the song will even be super simple and compact, which actually helps for pop sensibility. I feel there isn't really a right a wrong way do it!
- Do you feel your music is a refection of true self or an extension of a fictional entity you wish to be?
It is both. You naturally write about what you know and what you strive to be. I sometimes include a theme from books that I read and include characters from within. I recently read "Gulliver's Travels" and just finished a song entitled " I can't Sit Still", which references Gulliver and I get to sing, "The Yahoos are after me!". I like digging through any history and referencing that. I also like poking fun at religion the current stat of humanity.
- What qualifies as an accomplished song?
It helps when people say they dig it.
- Songs are like children and it's hard to play favorites. However is there a certain song that you are particularly proud of? Why?
Georgy Boy-I don't mean to seem vain, but I feel like if you told someone Ray Davies wrote that song it would be believable. Although, I had no intention of biting the Kinks vibe at all. The lyrics have to do with my teenage years and And early adult years, being a long hair and being confused with being a girl in public (believe it or not!). Listen HERE.
