JOHNNY BERTRAM
“If lyrics are a musician’s heart, and styles and influences are his arms and legs, then Johnny Bertram is a very sensitive octopus. Every album he cuts is a new extension of his developing musical prowess.
His first two recordings are “Live From My Bedroom” and a self-titled album, both solo EPs telling of the musician’s roots. They are drawn from emotional and spiritual inspection, with simple musical epiphanies and vocals that seem to rise from the earth, easily recalling the folk rock tradition that influenced Bertram early on. “Live From my Bedroom” comes first in chronology and style, Johnny’s early talent marking itself out on his lonesome guitar strings, a companion to the likes of Nick Drake and Donavan. The second EP, “Johnny Bertram,” is a logical next step. The acoustic guitar and the lonely American countryside are both still present, but relegated to the background, washed, rinsed and separated by indie rock stylings, subtle drum beats, and, quite literally, bells and whistles.
Where his second album betrays Johnny’s burgeoning fascination with sound mixing, this mild interest seems to overwhelm him in “Evenings and Weekends,” an album produced in collaboration with the global electro-rockers Synthar. This four-man band writes their songs between Jackson, New York, California and China, sharing input, recordings and edits online. The album is a creature of the electronic media from whence it came. It is definitely an avant-garde experiment for Johnny, and a quite successful one. Its rock-and-roll undertones, dance grooves and Johnny’s catchy Americana melodies balance a wild electronic parade. When compared to his first two recordings, “Evenings and Weekends” is definitely an adventure into a new wilderness for this soft-spoken songwriter.
His newest 2008 demos are a culmination of all of the above. They soothe you with sad folky reminiscence before crying out with sudden impassioned electric guitar riffs and synthesizers that alternately lull and grope, all of it forever floating on Johnny’s wood-smoke vocals. While he gracefully unloads the madness of his Synthar experimentations into these lyrical emotional protests, the songs remain classic, soft-spoken and as desperate as Leonard Cohen pining for Suzanne.
So check out craftsman Johnny Bertram, the musical octopus. Each album is unique, all tied together by his undeniably enormous heart. Listen as he hurts and loves and tries for all his worth to communicate these elusive pangs with a variety of engaging techniques. If you are a fan of any rock and roll development since the Beatles, you’ll surely find a side of Johnny to love.” – Joseph Williams for The Code
“You know how whenever you hear a Jack Johnson song, you kind of start moving your head and generally “grooving,” even though you feel like a total tool while doing so? I suggest Johnny Bertram as a guilt-free alternative. Dude knows how to craft a pop song, with honey-sweet vox and nimble acoustic guitar action, but instead of singing about, say, Curious George, he sings about drugs, poor people, and revolution. Bertram’s a Portlander who relocated to Jackson, Mississippi, and you can hear the South creeping in to his indierock aesthetica little sweatier, a little sexier. Peep his Sam Beam-style beard if you get a chance.”
-JOEL HARTSE
“Johnny Bertram, out of Jackson, Missippi, has a moderately folk-ish sound that easily makes him the more accessible of the three acts in this week’s MMM update. Hints of Page France, Sufjan and Iron & Wine pepper his self-titled four song EP which he self-released last year. The music is nothing groundbreaking, but it’s solid music that is easily enjoyed and should be appreciated by most fans of soft folk-pop. The best part is, three out of the four songs on his self-titled EP are available for download on his website, so you can enjoy his music guilt-free, for those of you who download a lot. ”
-HATE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL
” I would like to start out by pointing you towards some great new music. Johnny Bertram makes a wonderful breed of warm vintage pop music. A good reference point would be Ray Lamontagne, M. ward or maybe even James Taylor.
Honestly, I get so many emails from bands containing subpar music a week, that my faith in these emails has been shattered. These songs have fully restored it.
The first, At the Wake, is a little reminiscent of M. Ward’s Post War. Warm slightly distorted keys, lazy drums, and a handful of the most pleasing chords I’ve heard all week. It’s been absolutely frigid in Nashville the past two weeks, this is the perfect soundtrack for staying in and keeping warm.
Lonesome Road, the second is a bit more folky than it’s brother, tambourine and harmonica abound, Shins like oohs and aahs and some really satisfying vocals. This one is going on my road trip playlist for sure. Download immediately. “
-CALEB (Hard to Find a Friend)
