Brother Cane - Wishpool
Brother Cane’s third album, Wishpool, came out a few months ago, and radio has been playing “I Lie In The Bed I Make,” quite a bit, so we thought it would be a good time to catch up with vocalist/lyricist/guitarist Damon Johnson again (the last time was in HM #47) and see what’s going on in his mind and in the Brother Cane camp. This “So & So Says” style chat took place via email in early June.
How’s it going? I can’t tell you how much i enjoy the new album.
"Thanks!"
“I try to relax when my church runs me out of town...”? What’s up here? Is there a story behind this? (that line and the song “machete” seem to reveal something here...)
"That line in “I Lie in the Bed I Make” is more about the church within yourself...sort of a metaphor for some type of mental breakdown. The lyrics on the entire record are much more personal for me this time around. Was definitely new territory for me. Thankfully the band gave me lots of confidence to keep writing that way."
You mentioned in your bio that, when you wrote the song “and fools shine on,” that you knew you were on to the type of songs that you wanted to write as a band...Take us thru the madness or the method of writing a brother cane song (from riffs to choruses to vocal melodies to lyrics)
"All the songs start with some music and/or vocal melody. I have always enjoyed collaborating as opposed to writing by myself. That’s why I love to write with my long time partner Marti Frederiksen. He never fails to pull some inspired things out of me. To me, one of the big differences about 'Wishpool' is that most all of these songs were started on an acoustic guitar, with more emphasis on lyrics and melody, as opposed to the more “riffular” stuff of the first two albums (I still love that approach as well...it just happened the other way by accident). Lyrics are always the thing that I push myself around about the most. The more inspired the subject is that I”m writing about, the better I feel about it and the longer I seem to 'feel excited' about the song. The above is true when I write with the band as well. Never dreamed that Roman and I could write a song as cool and rich as 'Lead My Follow'..."
I understand you got married! Congratulations! How did you meet her?
"Wow, I thought you and I covered that when we first met. My wife Jamie and I have been married for 11 years! Were high school sweethearts. We have 3 (yes, 3!) amazing kids...Heather,10, Marshall, 7, and Sarah 5."
How does being married affect your relationships with roman, scott, and david?
"It has never really had any impact one way or another. Thankfully, all my guys have pretty cool spouses or girlfriends. Can’t tell you how much stress that relieves!"
what felt different with the recording and mixing (and songwriting) of this album?
"I mentioned the songwriting in an earlier question... Kelly Gray had a tremendous effect on all of us. He seemed very good at actually taking us OUT of our comfort zone and getting us to be more flexible at experimenting. For all the musical talent within our band, sometimes my guys are not as experimental as they would like to think they are, and Kelly really kicked us around about that, and it was much needed. He is a great guitar player in his own right (that’s him playing the solo on “The Crow Flies”) and his best asset ( in my opinion) is his skills as a mixer. Many positive comments are being made about how thick and fat this record sounds in comparison to the other two. Even Kelly said from the very beginning that he thought we always had good songs, they just weren’t being presented to their fullest potential. He is a very 'big picture' kind of guy and a dear friend. I would work with him again anytime."
How has your faith in Christ been tested in the last few years?
"Wow, that’s a biggy. I don’t think my faith in Christ has been tested in the last couple of years as much as my faith in myself has been. I really got off track about the priorities in my life back in ‘96. Feel like I grew up a lot, almost like I finally crossed over into full-blown adulthood (at 31 mind you!) Think I am much better skilled at not allowing myself to get frustrated at things I have no control over. Was a big problem for me for a long time...I’m still getting better at it."
Interesting statement. I can relate to this, but I think you having identified it within yourself means you have a step on me. I used to be much more laid-back, and the past couple of years (coinciding with being married and taking on employees) I find myself getting frustrated over tiny little things that go wrong, and stuff that goes wrong that I really can’t help anyway. Teach me, oh Damon, how to deal with these things! I think it all comes with simply getting older, taking on more responsibilities, and fighting within yourself to find some “balance”. It is the “beauty” of maturity and makes me understand why my dad used to say he “wouldn’t go back to 25 for all the money in the world”. Hearing someone talk about “faith in themselves” will bring up a red flag for some people, but I’m pretty sure I understand what you’re saying. Was the inverse/opposite of faith in yourself a self-hatred or a really low self-esteem or something like that? Or maybe not being able to trust yourself?
"Simply having confusion about 'what it’s really all about,' this life. Brother Cane is not the most important thing for me any more, and never will be again. How great is that line in the Verve song: 'It’s a bitter sweet symphony, this life.' It’s probably why that song is such a hit...that line hits home with everybody. We could talk at length about this as well..."
What are some of the weirdest things or people you have come across while touring the last couple of years?
"It's always fun to talk to foreigners who are fans of the band and hear them sing the songs or talk about what the lyrics mean to them. Is always very cool, but sometimes weird and funny. Something weird that I have just discovered is how many people seem to live their lives on the internet. I go on to our website sometimes to check the message board and marvel at some of the comments. Some of those people I just want to tell them, 'Hey, get a puppy, okay?' I’m glad they like the band, but I don’t know..."
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