Texas musician Johnny Goudie has been writing songs and making music for years. With his band Goudie, he won a major label deal and tour incessantly promoting the band’s two albums. Most recently, Johnny has been making a name for himself writing songs with other musicians, performing solo gigs, and producing up-and-coming bands.
Johnny Goudie often plays in the Houston area (he’s played on local favs Pale‘s latest album and with Endochine). He’s currently finishing up a new album to be released sometime in early 2005.
He will be in Houston this Friday night, November 26, at Helio’s (Westheimer near Montrose) with Casey from Endochine. Be sure to come out and show your support.
Johnny was kind enough to answer a few questions for Houston Calling.
10 Questions for Johnny Goudie
HC: How did you get started in music?
Johnny: My father was a singer in a band and my mother hung out with tons of musicians. I started my first band when i was 13 years old after a Cheap Trick concert. I knew then that I would be doing this for the rest of my life…
HC: I get a sense that you’re musical tastes run the gamut. What do consider to be your musical influences?
JG: My tastes are diverse. I am heavily influenced by 60’s and 70’s from the Beatles, Stones, The Zombies, The Turtles, The Byrds, Bob Dylan, T-Rex, David Bowie, Brian Eno, Queen, Cheap Trick, Blondie, Nick Drake, ELO, etc. Also, 80’s & 90’s stuff like The Smiths, The Cure, Belle and Sebastian, Pulp, Blur, The Suede, The Cocteau Twins, This Mortal Coil, Psychedelic Furs, Echo & The Bunnymen, World Party, Redd Kross, Jellyfish, Jason Falkner, Elliot Smith, Wilco, Sparklehorse, Sigur Ros, etc. I’m into a lot of different stuff.
HC: You’re based out of Austin, which has a vibrant music scene (not to mention SXSW). You play here often–what do you think of the music scene in Houston? Any suggestions for ways to get more attention on musicians in Houston?
JG: I used to be in the Houston scene. It’s always been an interesting scene there. It seems like it’s kind of spread out, but the folks in the scene are always very supportive. I’m really into Pale. I actually played on their new album. I’m also a huge fan of Arthur Yoria. Both of those acts are tremendous and could hold their own on a national and international level. So, I think the Houston scene has a lot going for it.
HC: How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard it before?
JG: Hmmm…indie pop rock.
HC: You’ve worked and played with a lot of well-respected musicians and bands over the years (Veruca Salt, Jane Weidlin, David Garza [a personal favorite], Juliana Hatfield, to name a few). As part of Goudie, you had a lot of focus on your band for a while. Looking back a couple of years, how do you view those experiences on a major label and the accompanying touring and media attention? What advice would you give a young band just starting out?
JG: The major label experience was fantastic. I/we got to have a great time touring the country and working with people we admired so much. There were a lot of things done wrong that you can only see in hindsight which is always a bit sad. My only advice to young bands is write the best songs you can. Be as smart as you can. always be involved with your business. wear a condom.
HC: Sort of a related question — What’s your take on the state of the music industry? Are you for or against the digital music “revolution”? How do you use the internet as a tool to market yourself and your music?
JG: The industry always seems very reactionary. They put something out that’s amazing and then everyone else in the industry spends the next two years looking for the next Strokes. I am for the digital revolution. It helps bands get exposure for free. I have a website and I give away songs and it just gets more people interested in you.
HC: If you could have any musician or band cover one of your songs, what song would it be and what band?
JG: Wow. Um…I would love to hear E.L.O. doing my song “Cellophane.”
HC: What is the one description that you hate to hear about your music?
JG: “Crappy.”
HC: You have a new album coming out in early 2005, right? What can you tell us about it? What are your plans for promoting it?
JG: Yes. It’s still untitled. It’s got a couple of songs form the I LOVE ELKE album, a couple from. …EFFECT OF MADNESS and new songs. The label that’s putting it out suggested that I put out a “best-of” album. Then they suggested this arrangement and it seemed really appealing to me. I have a lot of new music but a lot of it goes off in different directions. I’m just trying to organize my songs into what makes a good album. Plus, I love the I LOVE ELKE album and I don’t think it got a chance to get heard. Right when I released it I joined Endochine and just got a band together again a couple of months ago.
As far as the album goes, I have some guests on it and the band plays on a couple of songs. Otherwise, it’s me playing all of the instruments.
HC: What is in your CD player right now?
JG: To be honest, I’ve been in the studio producing this band called Canvas. That’s what’s in my CD player right now. But, this week, on the way to the studio, I’ve listened to the new Elliot Smith, Pulp’s Different Class, and a friend of mine named Seela. Rock on!
Thanks to Johnny for taking the time to answer these questions. Be sure to come out to elio’s and see him perform live this Friday, November 26. For more information on Johnny’s music, visit his website at www.iloveelke.com/.
Discuss Johnny and his music (or anything else you want to spout off about) in the donewaiting.com message board.
Now Playing in my iPod: The Brian Jonestown Massacre — Methodrone
