Artist Interview: Johnny Stanec
Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life are pleased to bring you an interview with solo musical artist, Johnny Stanec!
1. How did you get started as an artist?
I fronted a band for years called First In Space. We were a sort of powerpop rock and roll band. We put out five records, played a lot and then after 2017 called it a day. During one of our breaks I decided to record some unfinished songs and release them under my own name. That went better than I thought and I ended up doing a few more releases off and on over the next few years.
Once my band was actually done playing I focused solely on my own sound. In 2018 I put out a record called ‘The Future of Nothing’ and since then I have been working on attempting to make a name for myself. In 2020 I spent the entire year recording new songs since shows were not an option. At the end of last year I released my first record on vinyl called ‘Never Met A Stranger’ and ealier this year I put out two streaming collections. One is a “best of” of my older songs, all remixed and remastered. The second was a comprehensive mix of the songs I wrote during the shutdown, plus most of the songs from my vinyl record. I also recently released a new single called ‘It Was Easy Now’ and have another new song coming out August 13th called ‘Feels Like I’m Fading Away’.
2. How would you describe your sound?
I try to write songs I would want to listen to, so I tend to bounce around a little between genres. I would tell someone my music is a mix between Americana-inspired folk rock and the sounds of the mid-90s Britpop movement. There are acoustic tunes, full band rockers and mid-tempo songs. I try to cover all the bases of the types of songs I enjoy.
3. What bands/artists would you say have influenced your style of music?
I have so many influences from Elliott Smith to Oasis to Nirvana to obscure punk bands like One Man Army. While all those artists are very different, a common thread is there and it is that it is about the song. Great lyrics and melodies. No one is attempting to impress in any other way, just a great song with good production.
4. Has the rise of YouTube & music streaming helped or hindered you?
I still haven’t decided how I feel ultimately. One one hand streaming is easily accessible and far and away the new standard, but as a person who releases music in physical form, I would rather sell copies. If you manage to get on a good playlist your song can be heard by a lot more people, but the payout is notoriously small. At this point any exposure is good. I manage to still sell hard copies of my music, but not as much as I would if streaming didn’t exist. But I also have probably been heard by more people thanks to streaming, so it can be a good thing. If you make it about money it isn’t great. If you make it about exposure it is good. Depends on how you look at it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH6DvYvX0Ic
5. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not making music?
Honestly, lately that seems to be my main focus. I spend a lot of my days writing, recording and working on future releases or promoting current ones. I do go for a run several times a week to help clear my head. I’ll typically do a 5K or so. It is a good stress reliever. Other than that, in the evening kill a few pints and relax. Once in a while take a trip somewhere to get away and recharge. Probably very much what everyone else does, I don’t have any hobbies. Music is my main focus, and hopefully some day, main source of income.
6. What are your future plans musically? Tours?
After this next single comes out I am going to finish up mixes for a new record that I am planning on releasing early next year. I have ten new songs finished and will just be doing the mixing and mastering and getting it prepped for release on vinyl and digital. Which is a lot of work.
I also have some fall shows coming up. No large scale tours, but some light traveling to help promote my recent releases which I wasn’t able to do last year. I hope to keep the momentum going and get the word out to a wider audience about what I’m doing. It’s always uphill, but I enjoy it!
Links
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
