Daniel Johnston

Ok, I'll preface this by saying I've seen others (Yo La Tengo, M. Ward) cover Daniel Johnston, and yes, the man can write a good song or two.

But my question is…if he wasn't fat and retarded and weird, would be he headlining the 9:30 Club? Is he that entertaining/talented as an actual performer? Yes, I saw the movie, and  can see the niche sentimental appeal, but 9:30 Club headliner appeal? Discuss if you will.

I didn't go to the Black Cat show so not sure how he is live. He did sell out the Black Cat mainstage so I'm sure he'll sell more tickets than Bob Mould.

Here's a recent text from a friend from California: "I'm seeing him [Daniel J.] at the Grand [in San Francisco]. I don't think think it will be that good but I feel obligated to see him."

Is your friend a smug hipster?  ;D


Johnston is one of those seldom touring indie darling trainwrecks that smug hipsters like to wear on their sleeve. They'd pay double that ($20) just to tell people they went to see him.

haha, he does sound like one, doesn't he? ;D

he will probably move you to tears, James Ford.  :'(

James, er, Rhett, is that you?

I'm not going to the show, I just thought he'd be more interesting fodder for discussion than Those Vulture Creatures.

Saw him up at the Ottobar.  Wasn't into his backing band.  Would have liked just a solo Daniel Johnston set.  Be warned - his shows are incredibly short.  Of course if you haven't yet seen him, I'd go because who knows when he'll pull a Wesley Willis!

Seeing him gives you extra bonus points when playing hipster bingo.

James wrote:
Johnston is one of those seldom touring indie darling trainwrecks that smug hipsters like to wear on their sleeve. They'd pay double that ($20) just to tell people they went to see him.

It's got to be something like that. For the life of me, I cannot figure out what the appeal is with this guy. One of the most whiney voices I've ever heard! Add to that, irrrrritating!!! Can't believe he's headlining at the 9:30. If he sells tickets, than so be it. I'll just steer clear and not compete for tickets.

He has a lisp now, too.


Listening to his new album right now.

I admit I saw him in Richmond at the National.  I loved the movie and wanted to see what all the hub bub was about.  He played like maybe less then 10 songs if even that.  He was reading all his songs off this podium he has set up but he did good.  I thought it wasn't too shabby of a show  ;D

less than 10 songs? great, just great.

Repost from iphone thread:




Daniel Johnston's iPhone Game Is Predictably Bizarre, Bizarrely Fun

99 pennies

Hello wrote:
less than 10 songs? great, just great.

;D

wml7 wrote:
I admit I saw him in Richmond at the National.  I loved the movie and wanted to see what all the hub bub was about.  He played like maybe less then 10 songs if even that.  He was reading all his songs off this podium he has set up but he did good.  I thought it wasn't too shabby of a show  ;D

I was at this too (they gave out a ton of free tickets at whatever show was the night before, possibly The National @ The National). I remember his set being about 70 minutes with a 5 minute break in the middle. I would put the song count closer to 12.

It was an OK show but I wasn't familiar with much of his material tbh.

If you get a cappella Devil Town, then no matter what else happens, he's worth it.  There are plenty of youtube videos to offer proof…

vansmack wrote:
If you get a cappella Devil Town, then no matter what else happens, he's worth it. 

We got this in RVA. He kinda half-assed it tho.

Julian, wrote:

vansmack wrote:
If you get a cappella Devil Town, then no matter what else happens, he's worth it. 

We got this in RVA. He kinda half-assed it tho.

That's still the equivalent of a normal sized ass.

YOU SO KRAZEE JAMES FORD I LUVD IT WHEN YOU JUMPED OUT OF THE HELICOPTER LOL.

This show turned out to exceed my expectations in terms of quality although the break 20 minutes in was slightly bizarre. It was also the shortest 930 headliner set I've seen this year clocking in at roughly an hour including both the mid-set and encore breaks. Sorry, Natasha "melodramatic bullshit" Khan, you have been beaten out.