Passing Moments: An Interview with Alex Johnston
Alex Johnston: Everett musician by night, Lyft driver by day.
The two roles are not as different as they may seem.
As a musician Johnston writes confessional, philosophical music that explores subconscious imagery. “A phrase will pop into my mind… I don’t know where it comes from,” he explains. He goes from there, following a song down the hallways of his mind, seeing where it leads.
As a Lyft driver he says that the small car often acts as a confession booth. “You’re in the car and a moment is passing,” he says. People open up to him because he’s an anonymous, benevolent stranger. They discuss the nature of road rage. They tell him things they’d never tell anyone else. He drives them to the supermarket, sure, but also offers a dollop of philosophy and understanding en route.
Whether he's behind the wheel or at the piano Alex Johnston seems to be in a receptive state while searching for something, reaching for what lies just beyond.
Johnston’s new album, Spinning Jewel, comes out next Friday, March 16. The 10-track full-length album is dedicated to “exploring a subconscious territory” as Johnston puts it.
He'll follow up the album release by playing at Fisherman’s Village Music Festival. He performs at 4:30 on Sunday at Narrative Coffee.
Alex Johnston often starts a song by considering an object or a subject. Something that grabs his attention. He writes down his thoughts and then finds a form for them, adding piano, guitar and vocals, often in repeating patterns. He describes his role as an artist as “part conduit, part engineer.”
Spinning Jewel sounds a bit more polished than his last records, in a good way, filled with stuttering drum machines, piano arpeggios, chimes, and organs.
Alex Johnston performing at Black Lab Gallery.
Where will Johnston’s musical explorations take him next? During our interview I see that he has pages and pages of handwritten notes. One day these lines could be lyrics, passing moments captured for listeners. Alex says that one of his favorite things to do is to post up at The Independent or Toggle’s with a fine beer and write down his thoughts, journeying deeper into the introspective symbology that informs his work.
Of the objects that speak to him he says, “there’s an abundance.” These symbols fill Spinning Jewel, creating for listeners an aural kaleidoscope.
Inspiration, like traffic, is all around us. Alex Johnston's music reminds us that the journey is about keeping your eyes peeled and navigating mindfully.
Stream the "Hallways" single and listen to Alex's older albums here.
Catch him at Fisherman's Village Music Festival later this month.
Richard Porter writes for Live in Everett.
