In New York City finishing up his fifth studio record, Johnston is facing a recurring problem that has plagued his two major label releases — a looming deadline. "Songwriting is a slow, sometimes painful, process for me," explains Johnston. "It’s not that I don’t know how to do it, I just don’t want to cheat or throw in a line because it sounds cool or I couldn’t think of anything better."

While Johnston agonizes over every word he has poured into four studio releases, he has grown from an out-of-left-field phenomena into one of the most inspired singer/songwriters of the decade. (In 1994, Rolling Stone named Johnston Songwriter of the Year, calling him "an American original.")

Johnston’s musical career reads like a Hollywood script. A Kansas native, Johnston moved to New York City in 1985 with a guitar on his back and the desire to become a successful musician. He focused heavily on writing crafty melodies with compelling wordplay that turned his introspective lyrics into hauntingly realistic tales. In 1990, he released The Trouble Tree (BarNone Records), and although it left nary a dent in the American music collective it laid the ground work for his second release. With 1992’s Can You Fly?, Johnston made many Top Ten lists, including Spin and The New York Times, and was quickly signed to Elektra Records.

Johnston seemed poised for Top 40 success, and 1994’s This Perfect World with the hit single, "Bad Reputation," served as his launch pad. However, it was also the beginning of a spiral that Johnston finds himself still caught in while completing his newest record. "The rationale in this business is that you put out a record and hit the road for a six week tour," says Johnston. "At that point they [the record company] immediately finds an opening slot on some huge arena tour, and then they want you to begin work on the next record. That’s just not how I like to work."

This Perfect World’s follow-up, Never Home (1997), may not have made Johnston the household name record company executives had hoped for, but it continued to showcase his incredible songwriting while providing a much-needed fix for Johnston’s dedicated fans.

After wrapping-up touring in support of Never Home, Johnston began writing for his still-untitled upcoming release and doing a lot of duo shows with guitarist Cameron Greider. When it came time to start recording the new record, Johnston decided to forego a brigade of studio musicians and formed a band with Greider, bassist Andy Hess, and drummer Jim Keltner. "Since I started recording, I’ve always wanted to make a live studio record, but I have always done records with a lot of overdubs," explains Johnston. "I still like working that way, but players tend to be very aggressive and intense. That can kill give and take of a band."

With live recording in mind, Johnston hooked up with producer T-Bone Burnett. "T-Bone is one of the very best producers for capturing a band sound, and he really knows what a great pop song is," says Johnston. "He sat the band down in a single room, turned on the tape, and told us to start playing. The record’s not acoustic in anyway, but the intimacy and low volume increases the tension that I love in the music. It really captures the dynamic of everyone playing together."

Burnett also insisted that Johnston sing the vocals while the band played. While it was a little foreign to the formerly overdub-friendly Johnston, the live vocals turned out so well that they only re-recorded vocal tracks for four songs.

While Johnston feels this new record may best illustrate the music he strives to create, it was during a recording break on a brief acoustic tour with Alejandro Escoveda and Peter Case that he was truly inspired to escape the studio for an extended period. "Al and Pete made me realize that you can go on the road anytime you want for as long as you want," explains Johnston, anticipating the time he will spend on the road. "The only reason you need to go on the road is to play for people, and I love playing live. So my plan is to retire to the road for several years."

The road may just be the stress reliever that Freedy Johnston needs.

FREEDY JOHNSTON APPEARS AT THE WIRE,
216 Fourth Street, New Cumberland, PA • 774-0678

SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 8 P.M.,
Tickets: $10 in Advance, $12.50 at the door