By Bobby Tanzilo Senior Editor/Writer Published Sep 05, 2003 at 5:15 AM

{image1}Flint, Michigan native Daniel Johnston has quietly been plying his trade as a talented singer/songwriter and performer in Milwaukee for a decade now, first with The Fontanels and now as a solo performer.

Johnston recently released his debut solo disc, "Time and Pain," produced by Michael Hoffmann. The disc's 10 tracks are awash in melodies, acoustic and electric guitars and Johnston's diverse influences; he cites everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Elvis Presley to Gladys Knight as having affected his musical development.

Although his first band was a progressive rock outfit, Johnston teamed up with his brother Matt in The Fontanels and it was in that setting that he matured musically.

"It was great for Matt and I to be in the same band once again after not playing together since our teens," Johnston says in retrospect. "Being both singer/songwriters -- and brothers -- we thought that joining forces would make sense. Since we were able to talk we were singing harmonies with each other quite naturally. When it came to performance everything was very democratic; Matt would sing the songs that he wrote, and I would sing mine."

But after about four years, the Johnston brothers began to realize they were moving in different directions and they broke up the band.

Matt can be heard on the new record, but make no doubt, it's a Daniel Johnston solo LP.

"Matt was not actually involved in the 'creative process' as it were," Johnston says. "The two songs that I had him sing background vocals on were songs that we did live in The Fontanels. I really like his voice, so naturally I wanted it on the album. Matt has also developed a desire -- and talent -- for playing lap steel over the last few years. I like his tone on that instrument and thought it would fit perfectly on 'Only Coasting.'"

Matt Johnston is also working on his solo debut, Johnston says.

One person whose influence is felt strongly on "Time and Pain" is producer Michael Hoffmann, whose innate musicality and good taste -- as well as his sense of aural adventure -- is stamped on every project he becomes involved in.

"Based on projects that I had heard him do, I had a feeling that we would click," Johnston says. "Fortunately my instincts were substantiated upon our first phone conversation. We talked for about 40 minutes and were immediately on the same track. He knew what I wanted, and exactly how to get it. One of the coolest things that I learned from him was how to get a great drum sound. Pick the right sounding room (an old turn-of-the-century underground machine shop, in this case), and you're more than half way there."

That spacious drum sound was one part of making real Johnston's goal of achieving a "live" feel on "Time and Pain." Another factor was his hiring of drummer Adam Sullivan and bassist Matt Miller.

"When I decided to go forward with this project in August '02, I wanted it to sound as live as possible," Johnston says. "There are many different types of songs on this CD, as some were old and others were new. I wanted to put together a power trio capable of learning the songs quickly, yet interpreting them creatively. Matt Miller and Adam Sullivan more than exceeded my hopes and expectations."

Now that "Time and Pain" is out and getting some publicity and even garnering sales and some radio airplay in Germany and Austria, what's next for Johnston?

"I'm setting up alot of dates in Milwaukee right now to push the record locally, though I do plan to be touring either this winter or early spring," he says. "The overall experience of recording this album was very positive, and inspired a host of new songs that will most likely find their way on the next CD. Possibly in 2004."

Johnston performs Sat., Sept. 6 at Mac's Red Eye Bar & Grill, 3865 N. Richards St. Call (414) 962-3931 for more information.

Bobby Tanzilo Senior Editor/Writer

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.

He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.

With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.

He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.

In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.

He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.