We're Definitely Not in Kansas Anymore

     Chad Johnston may live in Kansas but his musical spirit takes him to some far-off places. Not that I have a preconceived notion of what music from Kansas should sound like, but some of his songs definitely have an other-worldly feel to them. Here are a few songs he's shared with me and so I'm sharing them with you.

     First up is "The Hiding Song/The Fourth of July" and I especially love its experimental, spacey feel and intimate, precise images. He explained that it's a combination of studio recordings and field recordings, and you can hear what I'm pretty sure are fireworks in the background. It's really beautiful.

Chad Johnston--"The Hiding Song/The Fourth of July" mp3 off Cha(d)meleon (buy)

     "You Destroy Me" is a track he wrote for an independent film and he says it is quite possibly his personal favorite.

Chad Johnston--"You Destroy Me" mp3 (buy)

     The next song is a bit more straightforward singer-songwriter sounding, not quite as shoegazey as the others, and the last song is kind of funky and definitely weird. I love the title.

Chad Johnston--"Elizabeth's Song" mp3 off Cha(d)meleon

Chad Johnston--"(So Primitive) I Hunt Heads" mp3 off Cha(d)meleon

     If you can believe it, he's not even a career musician. He tells me music is his side project. I love to think of people like Chad out there making music as lovely as this in their spare time and I can only imagine what he could come up with if he devoted himself to it full-time. If you'd like to hear more, his myspace has all his recordings available, as well as some rather intriguing blog entries he's written.

tags: chad johnston  

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