Daniel Johns

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Daniel Johns
Daniel Johns Big Day Out 08.jpg
Johns performing at the Big Day Out in 2008
Born
Daniel Paul Johns

(1979-04-22) 22 April 1979 (age 42)
Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Other namesYoung Modern, Dr. Dreams
Occupation
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active1992–2021
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 2003; div. 2008)​
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
  • keyboards
Labels
Associated acts
Website

Daniel Paul Johns (born 22 April 1979) is an Australian musician, singer, and songwriter best known as the former frontman and lyricist of the rock band Silverchair. Johns is also one half of The Dissociatives with Paul Mac, one half of DREAMS with Luke Steele, and released his first solo album, Talk, in 2015. In 2007, Johns was ranked at number 18 on Rolling Stone's list of The 25 Most Underrated Guitarists.[1]

Early life[]

Johns was born to Greg and Julie Johns.[2] His father owned a fruit shop in Newcastle, and his mother was a housewife.[3][4] He grew up in Merewether, New South Wales, Australia, with two younger siblings.[5] Johns attended Newcastle High School,[6] from which he graduated in 1997.[7]

Career[]

Silverchair (1992–2011)[]

At the age of 12, Johns and school friends Ben Gillies and Chris Joannou formed a band, originally named "The Innocent Criminals", and practised daily after school for periods of four hours or more.[5][8]

The band's career began when the three members were 15 years old when a demo recording of their song "Tomorrow" won a competition that was run by the SBS TV programme Nomad.[5] The group, now named Silverchair, subsequently accepted a three-album deal from Sony Music in 1994, and the label hurriedly released their first album Frogstomp in 1995 after "Tomorrow" remained in the No. 1 position on the Australian singles chart for six weeks.[9]

The band released Freak Show in 1997,[10] followed by Neon Ballroom in 1999,[11] and then Diorama in 2002.[12] Following Diorama, Silverchair embarked on a lengthy hiatus before the release of the next album.[9]

In late 2005, Johns and Silverchair reunited and announced the production of a new album entitled Young Modern, whose title comes from a nickname given to Johns by composer Van Dyke Parks.[13] The new album was released on 31 March 2007 and was followed by the Across the Great Divide tour with fellow Australian band Powderfinger.

In May 2011, Silverchair announced on their website that the band was going into "indefinite hibernation" and explained that "it's become increasingly clear that the spark simply isn't there between the three of us at the moment".[14][15] Later that month, Johns and filmmaker Josh Wakely presented a talk at TEDx Sydney in which they discussed a film that they were working on that was tentatively titled My Mind's Own Melody. A video of the talk was uploaded to YouTube in June 2011,[16] and a trailer for the completed film was released in mid-2012.[17]

I Can't Believe It's Not Rock and The Dissociatives (2000–2004)[]

During the post-Diorama hiatus, Johns worked on several side projects, the most notable being The Dissociatives with dance musician/producer Paul Mac. Johns and Mac worked together since Mac's 1997 remix of "Freak" and his contribution to Neon Ballroom. In 2000, they recorded a five-track EP I Can't Believe It's Not Rock. Their debut album The Dissociatives (2004) was initially recorded in London, United Kingdom, and a few months later, the two regrouped in Sydney and Newcastle to finish off the project. The Dissociatives toured with musicians Kim Moyes on drums, Julian Hamilton on keys, and James Haselwood on bass.

Collaborations[]

On 13 June 2008, it was reported on Silverchair's website that Johns was working on a new side project with Luke Steele (The Sleepy Jackson, Empire of the Sun), but a release date was not confirmed for the collaboration. In 2008, the name of the project was "Hathaway and Palmer," according to a radio interview that Steele conducted, but this has not been confirmed since.[18]

In December 2008, Johns was named as the producer of The Scare's album.[19]

In 2012, Johns collaborated with the Australian Chamber Orchestra to create the soundtrack Atlas for a Qantas Airlines commercial that began airing a week before the 2012 Olympics.[20] Johns explained:

When Qantas first approached me, I agreed to the project as I was really into the idea of creating a piece of music that represented Australia. I wanted it to sound big, something special. It was a conscious effort to create a good piece of music and not just a jingle. I've also wanted to work with the Australian Chamber Orchestra for a long time now, so it was great to finally be able to do that.[20]

In May 2012, Johns wrote and recorded music with pop duo The Veronicas for the latter's third album. The writing process began in November 2011, and the twin sisters stated that working with Johns "was one of our greatest experiences."[21]

As of January 2013, Johns was scheduled to appear in a live performance with Van Dyke Parks as part of Australia's Adelaide Festival on 8 March 2013 and was also rumoured to be working on a debut solo album.[22] In May 2013, Steele revealed that he and Johns were completing the project that they had started in 2008.[23]

In January 2014, Johns co-wrote the song "Impossible" by Australian rapper 360. Johns also sang on the song's chorus. Johns met 360 through his brother Heath, who is also 360's publisher.[24]

In 2016, Johns was a musical director and arranged and produced the music for the Netflix animated children's series Beat Bugs.[25][26] He was also the singing voice for the characters Walter,[27] and Mr. Mudwasp.[28] He stated, "It's a dream job to go into the studio and dissect all of The Beatles' music".[25] Johns said that Eddie Vedder liked his version with the guide vocals for "Magical Mystery Tour" so much that he kept Johns's backing vocals in the finished song.[26]

In May 2016 Johns collaborated with Perth duo Slumberjack on their track "Open Fire",[29] and also featured in the music video.[30] In the same year he co-wrote and provided uncredited backing vocals to ‘Say It’ from Flume’s Skin LP.[31]

Johns has also worked with artists such as ZHU in the track "Modern Conversation" in 2017 and fellow Australian artist What So Not in the album Not All The Beautiful Things, released in 2018, where he contributed to a good portion of the music.

Career (2013–present)[]

In November 2013, it was reported by various media outlets that Johns was in the process of working on a solo album due for release sometime in 2014. His manager John Watson was quoted as saying: "it’s looking extremely likely that it’ll be out next year."[32]

For the 40th birthday of the triple j radio station, Beat the Drum, held at Sydney, Australia's Domain on 16 January 2015, Johns performed a piano version of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit".[33]

Johns debuted a new song as a solo artist on 29 January 2015 on the Triple J radio station. Titled "Aerial Love", the song is taken from a four-track EP that was released on 13 March 2015. Peter Vincent, National Music Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald, described the song as "sexy" and "soulful". "Aerial Love" debuted at No. 50 on the Australian Singles Chart, later peaking at No. 21.[34] Johns released his fifteen-track debut album as a solo artist on 22 May 2015, entitled Talk. The record features multilayered arrangements of R&B, soul, synthpop, and electronic melodies. Talk peaked at No. 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart in Australia within the first two weeks of its release.[35] The album also achieved some unexpected success in other parts of the world, coming in at No. 1 on the Slovakian iTunes albums chart shortly after release.

Johns teamed up with Luke Steele from Empire of the Sun to form DREAMS, releasing the single “No One Defeats Us” in March 2018.[36] DREAMS' debut album, No One Defeats Us, was released in September 2018 through EMI.[37]

Daniel Johns performing at the Across the Great Divide Tour in September 2007

Johns premiered the band 'Boom Tish' back in 2017. They’ve released just one song, a cover of The Easybeats’ ‘Hello, How Are You’. However, band members Beau Golden and Dave Jenkins Jnr both posted new photos of Boom Tish in the studio in January 2020. Boom Tish evolved out of Johns’ live band for his consecutive Sydney Opera House shows in 2015.[31]

Controversy[]

In July 2007, Johns claimed on Australian radio station Triple J that he had shared a joint with his then-wife Natalie Imbruglia, Australian Federal MP and ex-Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett, and U2 frontman Bono in November 2006 while they listened to a demo recording of Silverchair's album Young Modern. In response, Tony Wood, whose daughter Anna Wood died of water intoxication secondary to use of MDMA, suggested that Garrett be subject to a drug test.[38] Garrett asserted that he had not touched marijuana since his twenties, and Johns said the original statement was a joke, adding he thought it would be obvious that it was a joke, as both Garrett and Bono were publicly against drugs.[39]

On 28 October 2014, Johns was stopped by police when they spotted his black Jaguar traveling at a speed of between 70 and 80 kilometres per hour (43 and 50 mph) along Morgan Street in Merewether, which is governed by a speed limit of 50 kilometres per hour (31 mph). Johns, who was arrested for driving under the influence, told police that he had consumed four large wines between 4.30pm and 7.40pm. Johns was required to attend a traffic offenders course;[40] he reappeared in Newcastle Local Court in February 2015 and was convicted of mid-range drunk driving, receiving an $880 fine and disqualification from driving until June 2015. "I made a mistake, for which I am really sorry," the singer told reporters outside the court that day. "I completed the traffic offenders program, and it will never happen again."[41]

On 11 August 2019, The Daily Mail published a false story about Daniel Johns alleging that he had been spending his time at a notorious Sydney S&M brothel and bondage club called The Kastle. The Daily Mail issued a retraction and apology on 8 August 2020: "The story was wrong. Mr Johns had not been there and he has never been there. Daily Mail retracts the story and apologises to Mr Johns for the error and for the hurt and damage caused to him."[42]

Personal life[]

In late 1997, during the Freak Show tour, Johns experienced depression[43] amid rumours that he was suffering from a drug addiction/eating disorder. Johns explained in a Rolling Stone Australia interview that he had developed anorexia nervosa. Johns claimed that he weighed less than 50 kilos (110 lbs) at his thinnest. With Neon Ballroom came the single "Ana's Song" about Johns' battle with anorexia. In 2004, Johns spoke at length to ABC interviewer Andrew Denton and revealed that at one point he had considered suicide.[44]

After recording Diorama, Johns was diagnosed with a rare but serious case of reactive arthritis. After treatment in Los Angeles, he was able to tour with the band for the Across the Night Tour.[45] Reports of the arthritic symptoms did not resurface after the completion of the tour.

After putting Silverchair into “indefinite hibernation” in 2011, Johns retreated to his home in Merewether NSW which he describes as a “’70s porn palace” out of Boogie Nights. “I just wanted to not be in the industry and not be famous and not have anything to do with it,” he said. “I felt like I was losing who I was. I was becoming the lead singer of Silverchair more than I wanted to be.” Johns checked the surf conditions obsessively every morning even though he hadn't surfed since his teens. Johns admitted to not being very social and spent four years hiding and shutting things out. He kept company with his shar-pei-whippet cross named Gia as watched movies with the blinds closed and ordered online grocery delivery.[46]

Johns is also known for his animal rights support, having revealed that he is a vegan in 1998,[47] although it was stated that he is a pescetarian in 2009.[48] The Neon Ballroom song "Spawn Again" features Johns' views on animal liberation, but he stated in a subsequent interview: "I'm not telling people how to eat or how to change their lives, I just wanted to express my opinion in a song and it's something, as I said, I feel very strongly about so that's just how I express myself through music."[49]

In 1999, Johns met Australian actress, singer, and model Natalie Imbruglia backstage at a Silverchair concert in London. They started dating after meeting again at the ARIA awards after-party at the Gazebo Hotel in Sydney in October of the same year.[50] After years of an on-and-off relationship,[51][52] Johns announced his engagement to long-time girlfriend Imbruglia shortly before Christmas 2002,[53] and they married on New Year's Eve 2003.[54] Johns wrote the song "Satisfied" for Imbruglia's 2005 album Counting Down the Days, which he also produced,[55] and co-wrote the song "Want" from Imbruglia's 2009 album Come to Life.[56][57] Imbruglia wrote her 2005 single "Counting Down the Days" about their long-distance relationship, as Imbruglia was based in London and Johns in Newcastle.[54] On 4 January 2008, they announced that they were divorcing, stating, "We have simply grown apart through not being able to spend enough time together."[58]

In July 2008, The Daily Telegraph announced Johns was dating Australian model Louise Van der Vorst.[59] In 2009, the couple moved from Australia to New York City so that Van der Vorst could expand her modelling career. By July 2011, the couple were living together in Newcastle, Australia.[60] In April 2012, it was reported that Johns had initiated the dissolution of the relationship in February 2012.[61][62] As of early 2013, Johns was dating fashion designer Estelita Huijer, with whom he was photographed in Crown Street in Sydney.[62] Johns commenced a relationship with former model Michelle Leslie in October 2016.[63]

Discography[]

Main article: Daniel Johns discography
See also: Silverchair discography

Awards and nominations[]

References[]

  1. ^ "The Twenty-Five Most Underrated Guitarists". Rolling Stone. 10 January 2007. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  2. ^ "Silverchair Go Home to Put their Feet Up". The Weekend Australian. 9 January 1995.
  3. ^ Uhelszki, Jaan (October 1995). "Eating M&Ms with Silverchair - Australia's Teen Wonders Turn Up the Volume and Storm the American Charts, Frogstomp Indeed". Addicted to Noise.
  4. ^ "Finally Daniel Speaks". Dolly Magazine. Australia. June 1999.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Band: Silverchair". Long way to the top. ABC. Archived from the original on 8 June 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
  6. ^ Johnson, Rob (November 1995). "Silverchair - Sonic Youth". Request Magazine.
  7. ^ "Insane Clown Posse v. Silverchair". Circus Magazine. October 1999.
  8. ^ "Biography". Official Silverchair Website. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b "Artists: Silverchair". Rolling Stone. JANN S. WENNER. 2013. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  10. ^ "Silverchair – Freak Show". discogs. 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  11. ^ "Silverchair – Neon Ballroom". discogs. 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  12. ^ "Silverchair – Diorama". discogs. 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  13. ^ "Daniel Johns (Silverchair) Interview". Modern Guitars Magazine. 8 January 2008. Archived from the original on 11 January 2008. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  14. ^ "SILVERCHAIR NEWS". Chair Page. Silverchair. 25 May 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  15. ^ Vidette Moore (25 May 2011). "Silverchair Have Split Up". Music Feeds. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  16. ^ TEDxTalks (27 June 2011). "TEDxSydney – Daniel Johns & Josh Wakely – My Mind's Own Melody" (Video upload). YouTube. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  17. ^ Kiel Egging (30 May 2012). "Watch: Daniel Johns and Josh Wakely's Trailer For "My Mind's Own Melody."". Music Feeds. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  18. ^ Ash (13 May 2013). "Daniel Johns working on Talking Heads Inspired Album with Luke Steele". Pedestrian TV. Pedestrian Group Pty Ltd. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  19. ^ killyourstereo (19 December 2008). "Daniel Johns Producing The Scare's New Album". Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  20. ^ Jump up to: a b Glenda Kwek (20 July 2012). "Daniel Johns gets on board as Qantas replaces iconic I Still Call Australia Home anthem". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  21. ^ Adam Bub (May 2012). "Musicfix: Silverchair's Daniel Johns writes songs for The Veronicas". ninemsn. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  22. ^ Kiel Egging (15 January 2013). "Chris Joannou on Silverchair: "The Book Is Still Open"". Music Feeds. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  23. ^ Sarah Smith (14 May 2013). "Luke Steele and Daniel Johns team up for "hard-edged" collaboration". FasterLouder. FasterLouder Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 17 June 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  24. ^ "Daniel Johns breaks his silence with Melbourne rapper 360". News.com.au. 2 January 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
  25. ^ Jump up to: a b Shedden, Iain (23 July 2016). "Beatles revived for kids TV show Beat Bugs by Daniel Johns, Josh Wakely". The Australian. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  26. ^ Jump up to: a b "Reinventing the Beatles for kids show Beat Bugs has given Daniel Johns a new lease on life in LA". News.com.au. News Corp Australia. 24 July 2016.
  27. ^ "Voice of Walter". Behind the Voice Actors. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  28. ^ "Voice of Mr. Mudwasp". Behind the Voice Actors. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  29. ^ "Slumberjack Drop New Track 'Open Fire' With Daniel Johns". LWA. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  30. ^ "Slumberjack – Open Fire (feat. Daniel Johns) [Official Music Video]". Youtube. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  31. ^ Jump up to: a b "Daniel Johns is working on new music with his band Boom Tish". Tone Deaf. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  32. ^ Staff Writer (15 November 2013). "Daniel Johns Album To Be Released Next Year". themusic.com. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  33. ^ "Daniel Johns covers 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' at triple j's Beat The Drum" (Video upload). triple j on YouTube. Google Inc. 16 January 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  34. ^ "australian-charts.com – Daniel Johns – Aerial Love". Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 27 March 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  35. ^ "Hillsong beats Daniel Johns to number one on aria chart". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  36. ^ "Well, it's finally here. A collaborative project that's been 15 years in the making". Triple J. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  37. ^ "We chat with Luke Steele on his long-awaited Daniel Johns collaboration DREAMS". Beat Magazine. Archived from the original on 21 December 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  38. ^ "Garrett pressured to take drug test". news.com.au. 10 July 2007. Archived from the original on 11 July 2007. Retrieved 10 July 2007.
  39. ^ Donovan, Patrick (10 July 2007). "Johns extinguishes spot fire after dopey joke". The Age. Melbourne. Retrieved 10 July 2007.
  40. ^ Proudman, Dan (20 November 2014). "Silverchair's Daniel Johns pleads guilty to drink-driving". Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  41. ^ Han, Esther (9 May 2015). "Silverchair's Daniel Johns suffers head injury during Sydney night out". Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  42. ^ https://mumbrella.com.au/daily-mail-apologises-for-and-retracts-daniel-johns-brothel-story-638006
  43. ^ "Silverchair Resurrected". Dose. Canwest Publishing Inc. 10 July 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
  44. ^ Sams, Christine (6 June 2004). "Anarexia almost killed me: Daniel Johns". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
  45. ^ "What comes COX". The Age. Melbourne. 8 December 2002. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
  46. ^ "Daniel Johns Opens Up On The Four Years He". Pedestrian TV. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  47. ^ Bird, June (November 1998). "Daniel Johns". Animal Liberation Front NSW. Archived from the original on 30 July 2009. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  48. ^ "Q's Daily B-Sides #20 – News – QTheMusic.com". Q. 12 October 2009. Archived from the original on 17 October 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  49. ^ "For Silverchair Frontman, Animal Rights Worth Singing (Not Preaching) About". MTV. 30 March 1999. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  50. ^ "Daniel Johns and Natalie Imbruglia divorce". Newscorp Australia. 17 March 2009.
  51. ^ "Silverchair's Dan saved Natalie from depression". The Age. 9 March 2002.
  52. ^ "Lovers finally get it together". The Age. 4 January 2004.
  53. ^ "Imbruglia to wed rock singer". BBC News. 6 January 2003.
  54. ^ Jump up to: a b Adams, Cameron (4 January 2008). "Daniel Johns and Natalie Imbruglia are to separate". Herald Sun.
  55. ^ Follos, Tim (23 July 2007). "Young Moderns: Silverchair". The Washington Post.
  56. ^ Adams, Cameron (1 October 2009). "Natalie Imbruglia gets support from ex-flame Chris Martin of Coldplay on new album". Herald Sun.
  57. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (4 March 2009). "Imbruglia praises ex's 'beautiful' songs". Digital Spy.
  58. ^ "Natalie splits from husband". Metro. 4 January 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  59. ^ "Daniel Johns and Louise Van De Vorst in model affair". The Daily Telegraph. 16 June 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  60. ^ "Louise van de Vorst: I don't want to become a superstar". The Sydney Morning Herald. 17 July 2011.
  61. ^ "Shock split for Daniel Johns and model Louise Van der Vors". News.com.au. 24 April 2012.
  62. ^ Jump up to: a b "Daniel Johns back in Sydney with a new waif in tow". The Daily Telegraph. 4 May 2013.
  63. ^ "Daniel Johns finally spotted in public with convicted drug offender girlfriend Michelle Leslie". News.com.au. 31 July 2017. Archived from the original on 3 December 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  64. ^ "Winners by Award – Producer of the Year". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  65. ^ "17th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 23 February 2004. Retrieved 5 November 2016. Note: User may be required to access archived information by selecting 'The History', then 'By Award', 'Producer of the Year' and 'Option Show Nominations'.
  66. ^ "Previous Winners Song of the Year". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 28 April 2010.
  67. ^ Jump up to: a b "2008 Winners – APRA Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Archived from the original on 1 April 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
  68. ^ Baroni, Nastassia (7 October 2015). "Courtney Barnett, Hermitude, Tame Impala Lead 2015 ARIA Award Nominations". musicfeeds.com.au. Archived from the original on 7 October 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.

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