Ep. 9.2 Matt Johnson

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In our season finale we interview Matt Johnson about his time with Jeff Buckley. Matt discusses what impressed him about Buckley’s songwriting and musicianship. He also discusses at length why he felt he needed to leave the band in March of 1996. Finally we discuss fathers and sons and its significance for Matt.
Show notes:
Matt discusses his 30 year theory of revival and says he was grateful to have been in studio to record the masterpiece “Grace”. 
Matt explains how the members of the band were thrown together (like a “stir fry”, despite not really knowing eachother at all).
Also, he says that there was a white knuckling effect of taking musical risks when he was playing and recording with Jeff Buckley. Matt explains that he realized he couldn’t continue with Jeff and that this was a scary decision. He says there were things going on that were a deal-breaker for him. 
Matt gives some insight into Buckley’s personality. Jeff was very funny. He also was very insightful into people’s emotional condition. 
We conclude by exploring the possibility that Buckley didn’t have an emotional protection that other performers, such as Rufus Wainwright, seem to need to survive long term in the music business. Matt talks about people with special needs and how they experience music. Finally, Matt describes the powerful symmetries between him, Rufus and Jeff, regarding father-son relationships. 
Thanks Matt. It was honor! You are a legend!
Theme Music “Kanga Roo” Sydney September 1995
“Last Goodbye” Frankfurt February 1995
“Dream Brother” Hamburg February 1995

Co-Edited by Konrad Meissner

Thank You to Mercedes Beene for consultations and your fabulous blog : https://notwithyoubutofyou.blogspot.com


Hey! Did you know you can contact Matt for lessons or recordings (what he calls underdubbing)?
Click here to learn how to get in touch with him:

https://soundbetter.com/profiles/182750-matt-johnson

"From recording the seminal cult-creating album Grace with Jeff Buckley to years of touring with the beloved St. Vincent, I've worked with a wide spectrum of artists over the past two decades including Rufus Wainwright, Angus and Julia Stone, and recently Miike Snow.

I'm originally from Texas but living in New York City opened up the most opportunities for developing a drumming career. I've recorded and played with Rhodes, Jade Bird, Teddy Thompson, Jeff Taylor, John Mayer, Dan Mangan, Dean Wareham of Galaxy 500, Tal Wilkenfeld, Will Stratton, Elysian Fields, Cones, Dope Lemon, Martha Wainwright, The Walking Who, Gabriel Kahane, Chris Stills, Anna Calvi, Duncan Sheik, Vivian Bond, Harper Simon, Keren Ann, Gerry Leonard, Reeves Gabrels, Tom Freund, Beth Orton, Suzanne Vega, Rickie Lee Jones and Miirrors.

I have also have worked with great producers such as Marius Devries, Rick Rubin, Simone Felice, Andy Wallace, Eric J, Andrew Wyatt, John Agnello, John Alagia, Thomas Bartlett, Tony Buchen, Tony Visconti, Tony Berg, Ben Harper, Hod David, and Kieran Kelly."

Matt uses:
- Istanbul cymbals 
- Tama drums
- Vater sticks


“Everyone Has A Jeff Buckley Story” is created, recorded, edited and produced by Jeff Haley. Co-Produced by Konrad
Shine Light Podcasts is Executive-Produced by Chris via biointegrity.net

The BioIntegrity community has helped fund protection of more than 320,000 acres of old growth tropical forests since 2014. Those efforts are helping to save thousands of species from extinction, keep more than 85 million tons of greenhouse gasses out of the atmosphere (enough to offset Austin, TX's community carbon footprint for 5+ years), institute land occupation rights for more than 400 Indigenous communities around the world, keep the planet cool, and more. Chris is also co-founder, creator and executive editor of AllCreation.org, a living archive of faith and spiritual practice views on human relationships with Earth's other species and environment. AllCreation has more than 400 posts exploring sacred texts and contemporary views, and is currently read in +150 countries. Visit biointegrity.net and allcreation.org for more info. 

https://allcreation.transistor.fm/
https://biointegrity.transistor.fm/

Creators and Guests

Jeff Haley
Host
Jeff Haley
Jeff is a bass player, educator, husband, dad, and friend who really loves making podcasts including the "It's No Secret" podcast about his band Twang Twang Shock A Boom. He hangs out with drummers a lot. Born in Texas, workshopped in New York.
Chris Searles
Producer
Chris Searles
Chris Searles is a native Austinite and founder/director of BioIntegrity, a research-based advocate for protection and restoration of Earth's biospheric integrity. He devotes his time to producing content, events, and education that facilitate "biospheric literacy" and investments and actions which support the most effective solutions to our global climate and species extinction crises. Chris is also starting a new aspect on local, tree-based, drought reversal soon. Visit biointegrity.net and allcreation.org for more info.
K-Rock
Producer
K-Rock
playing and recording some drums, playing some bass, singing a bit, masterminding.....
Ep. 9.2 Matt Johnson
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