Truly, Wil Johner is one of the nation's young, premier songsmiths. With an honest appeal, Johner lays it all out with a sound that is sometimes straight forward, sometimes experimental but always right. -Sheila Lopez

12 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Progressive Rock, ROCK: Modern Rock



Details:
Wil Johnerâs sound is not easily described. You get the feeling he likes it this way. With an honest appeal, Johner lays it all out with a sound that is sometimes straight forward, sometimes experimental but always right. Truly Wil Johner is one of the nation's young, premier songsmiths.

Writing songs since he was twelve, he doesnât appear to be quitting any time soon. Johner has made a little scratch writing and co-writing for bands and solo acts in Portland, Minneapolis, and Denver. He moved to Seattle to produce his first solo work. His new record, Chichén Itzá!, is his first full-length solo record.

Wil has started his own label, Belles and Whistles Records and fronted most of the cost of the new album himself. âIâd love to sign with someone. But realistically labels canât give me the freedom I need. Iâm not bitter about it. (I) just decided to start my own label.â

Chichén Itzá! (which means âenchanted birdâ in Mayan) was produced entirely in analog (mixed digitally) at Sound Media Productions Studio in Seattle by Wil and Brandon Busch (Wet City Rockers, Soblivios, Vindaloo, Superfekta). âBran is more of a rock producer, so we ended up with a more straight ahead sound. I definitely like the quiet on the record. We still found some ways to experiment,â explains Johner.

Experiment they did, Rubberband Memory, slated to be the first single, has a Zevon-esque groove that wonât let you go quietly. Simple, with profoundly rich lyrics, you never get tired of it, play after play. There is a video in the works. (Though Iâm not sure who still plays those old things.)

Johner was born in North Dakota. Sometimes the cold alienating extremes of the harsh winters can be heard though his music.

The second single will most likely be Saltwater Scenes. This unwieldy beast has a Fleetwood Mac ease and a subtle pandemonium. Buschâs straight ahead style and Johnerâs serendipity meet head on.

You canât help but like Johner when you meet him. Not in a normal way. Heâs not particularly warm, or engaging. But you get the sense heâs honest. Heâs got a certain deference and charisma without being, well, particularly charismatic. One thingâs for sure, heâs not going away.

Website www.WilJohner.com
-Sheila Lopez