Hello hello hello. It's a pleasure to have you at this brand new site. We're so happy about it. I hope you enjoy yourself, wander around, take off your shoes, turn on the radio, have a cold one (the opener is that magnet on the fridge), and say hi before you go.
From all of us that are Imaginary Johnny.
What's new.
When: Thursday, Oct 23 2008
Where: Rehab | New York, NY
 e're on the books for a CMJ show as part of the Organic Entertainment and September Gurl showcase at Rehab. We'll play in the afternoon. Specifics are still to come, but the bill will include the likes of KaiserCartel, Lucinda Black Bear, and Sky Cries Mary.
IJ tops eMusic charts.
Posted on Jul 31 2008, 21:04
e're having an exciting week over at eMusic. Only Chimneys was in the top spot on their 'powerchart' on Monday, and it's currently at number ten for the week. Whoever is doing the downloading -- we thank you!
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WOXY in-studio/interview available for download.
Posted on Jun 18 2008, 21:21
 lattering photos, a witty and insightful interview, along with our spot-friggin'-on performance is all available in the WOXY.com Lounge archive.
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Paste Recommends
Posted on May 29 2008, 17:40
e're pleased to announce that Imaginary Johnny's Only Chimneys will be a Paste Recommends selection for the month of July. The CD will be stocked in Paste listening stations in over 60 of the nation's very finest, or at least very coolest, independent record stores.
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WOXY.com on June 11
Posted on May 15 2008, 23:38
e're doing a live set on June 11 on WOXY.com in the lounge. Tune in at 4:30 to hear us in our road weary glory.
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[ Read all news. ]
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Imaginary Johnny has slowly but surely evolved from an electronica-laced solo project to full-fledged rock band. With a past that includes three distinctive and critically acclaimed albums, it’s evident on the latest release, Only Chimneys, that Imaginary Johnny has arrived at a unique balance of poetic songwriting and powerful minimalist performances.
Sporting its longest-standing and most cohesive lineup yet: Adam Sylvia on guitar, Ismail Lawal on drums, and songwriter Stuart Wolferman on vocals and keys. Together, they paint a broad landscape, with private meditations one moment that erupt into defiant anthems the next. Sylvia's guitar playfully weaves in and out of the main melodic thread - subtle but unmistakable. Lawal's drumming is similarly restrained; a veteran of ensembles ranging from Brian Jackson to Ladybug Mecca, Lawal is as lyrical and expansive with his drum kit as Wolferman is vocally.
Longtime fans will recognize the distinctive imagistic songwriting and mix of pop styles, and will discover a warmth and cohesiveness that signals a departure of sorts. There is a newfound fullness to IJ's sound, with brass, strings and a full choir of sorts. Only Chimneys is no less personal than the recordings that preceded it, but it is also epic, taking on larger socio-political themes. |
IJ tops eMusic charts.
Posted on Jul 31 2008, 21:04
e're having an exciting week over at eMusic. Only Chimneys was in the top spot on their 'powerchart' on Monday, and it's currently at number ten for the week. Whoever is doing the downloading -- we thank you!
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Free tune. IJ's an eMusic Daily Download
Posted on Jul 25 2008, 23:20
 n Sunday, July 27th, the track "It'll Burn" will be eMusic's Daily Download. It'll be up here. We love eMusic and are very happy about this. Fans, you are encouraged to leave a review of the new record up on eMusic while you're there! Thanks everyone.
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WOXY in-studio/interview available for download.
Posted on Jun 18 2008, 21:21
lattering photos, a witty and insightful interview, along with our spot-friggin'-on performance is all available in the WOXY.com Lounge archive.
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Paste Recommends
Posted on May 29 2008, 17:40
e're pleased to announce that Imaginary Johnny's Only Chimneys will be a Paste Recommends selection for the month of July. The CD will be stocked in Paste listening stations in over 60 of the nation's very finest, or at least very coolest, independent record stores.
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WOXY.com on June 11
Posted on May 15 2008, 23:38
e're doing a live set on June 11 on WOXY.com in the lounge. Tune in at 4:30 to hear us in our road weary glory.
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[ Read older news. ]
Reading older news. [ Read fresher news. ]
Tour Update
Posted on May 7 2008, 11:01
 ere's how it's shaping up:
May 29 / The Delancey / New York, NY
May 30 / College Perk / College Park, MD
Jun 1 / The Camel / Richmond, VA
Jun 2 / The Cave / Chapel Hill, NC
Jun 3 / Caledonia Lounge / Athens, GA
Jun 5 / The Bluebird / Saint Louis, MO
Jun 6 / Record Bar / Kansas City, MO
Jun 7 / O'leavers Pub / Omaha, NE
Jun 8 / The Turf Club / Saint Paul, MN
Jun 9 / Mr. Roberts / Madison, WI
Jun 10 / Reggie's / Chicago, IL
Jun 11 / WOXY.com (4:30 in-studio) / Cincinnati, OH
Jun 12 / The Comet / Cincinnati, OH
Jun 13 / Dubland Underground / Rochester, NY
Jun 14 / Pete's Candy Store / Brooklyn, NY
Hope to see you there.
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Tour Update.
Posted on Apr 2 2008, 21:18
 es, a tour! We're putting the finishing touches on the schedule, ironing out the details, etc. After a performance in NYC on May 29th, we'll be on the road from May 30-June 14. What is confirmed is up on our MySpace page, and I'll be getting the dates up on this site slowly but surely. Essentially we're doing a big circle. If anyone has a big car to loan us, you know, let me know.
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Only Chimneys Available for Pre-Order
Posted on Mar 24 2008, 13:24
e're closing in on the April 8 release date. The record is now available for pre-order through Amazon.
Or, come see us live and grab a copy at the venue.
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An interview.
Posted on Mar 11 2008, 12:10
 an at Radio Crystal Blue was a thorough Interviewer. It's all down here.
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Ismail at the Blue Note
Posted on Feb 22 2008, 17:28
ur elusive drummer, Ismail Lawal, made his Blue Note debut this week playing with Brian Jackson. We're very proud.
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Our Grammy nominated producer.
Posted on Oct 26 2007, 0:09
ur very own Joel Hamilton, who mixed "Painting Over the Dirt" and produced (and mixed) "Only Chimneys", has been nominated for a Grammy in three categories:
Soulive's "No Place Like Soul", R&B Album of the year;
Talib Kweli's "Eardrum", Album of the Year;
TV compilation CD from "HOUSE m.d." with Elvis Costello.
Spread the news.
We are real proud!
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My little reaction to a Sasha Frere-Jones article
Posted on Oct 23 2007, 18:06
 've been meaning to write something, anything, as a sort of response to the Sasha Frere-Jones piece in the New Yorker (Oct. 22). Luckily for me, Nico Muhly beat me to it (you have to scroll down a bit to get to it as Nico doesn't seem to sleep).
Read it (and even listen to an accompanying podcast). Admittedly, due to its context - the New Yorker is a serious magazine that expects to be taken seriously - the article irritated me more than it should have. Had this been some dumb blog, I'd have smiled awkwardly and moved on.
The basic premise is that indie rock has lost its connection with rock's black-American foundation. What does this even mean? SFJ seems to think that it means there is not enough bass and kick-snare (with appropriate syncopation) in today's indie scene. He uses bands like Arcade Fire, Wilco, Pavement, and the Decemberists to make his point. Of course, he doesn't mention loads of other bands with indie cred that may be counter to his point (Beck, the White Stripes, and TV on the Radio come immediately to mind). He also doesn't mention that there has always been rock that doesn't, well, rock. And most importantly, who cares?! What is the point of this thesis and why oh why should we simplify what is arguably the greatest American form of expression into black and white? So you don't like sensitive lyrics and elaborate orchestral arrangements - that's fine, but what does that really have to do with race?
All this did get me thinking though. And, like Nico says, that is a good thing. Talking, thinking, and even venting. It seems more important today than ever to speak from your own voice. In this age of blogs and a billion little songs at your fingertip, audiences smell dishonesty. This has made for a million different genres for those billion little songs. To me, that is very exciting.
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A bassist at last
Posted on Oct 22 2007, 16:58
 t long last, we're playing with a bassist. Marc Alan Goodman, a true jack of all trades, has joined us, and, well, it's really nice to have those low down frequencies.
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Only Chimneys mixed and mastered
Posted on Oct 22 2007, 15:47
'm pleased to report that the new record, Only Chimneys, is mixed and mastered. Producer Joel Hamilton did the mixing at Studio G, while Chad Clark at Silver Sonya mastered.
It's tentatively scheduled for a late February release. The first three tracks can be heard on the IJ.com radio -- right here on this page. Let us know what you think.
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Benefit CD for Callum Robbins
Posted on Oct 22 2007, 15:46
J has a track on a recently released benefit compilation, For Callum. It's a wonderful collection of songs. We're proud to be a part of it and grateful to those who organized the project. Please read below for information about Callum.
2 CDs = $15.00 + $2.00 for postage. Available from Catlick Records. All proceeds go to Callum Robbins' care fund.
TRACK LISTING:
1. All the Way Rider - Luxembourg
2. Arcwelder - The Hope (demo)
3. Careers In Modeling - Acorn
4. Chad - English Girl
5. Channels - Cast Away
6. E. Fowlkes Sextet - Rory Corrigan
7. Engine 88 - Get Off
8. Engine Down - Your Suit
9. Eternals - Rawar Style
10. Gordonovich - Au Revoir (Char's Garden)
11. David Grubbs - A Dream to Help Me Sleep
12. Halloween, Alaska - Halloween (remix)
13. The Icy Shores - Backseat
14. Imaginary Johnny - Little Dimes
15. Jawbreaker - I Love You So Much It's Killing Us Both (demo)
16. Kingfield - Penny
17. Bryan Knisley - Madeline
18. Joe Lally - Mistaken Identity
19. Life and Times - Catching Crumbs
20. Maritime - Tearing up the Oxygen
21. Medications - Domestic Animals
22. Bill Mike - Secure
23. The Million - Waterfront (demo)
24. Mission of Burma - N.S.U.
25. Travis Morrison - Represent
26. Drew O'Doherty - You'll Believe A Man Can Fly
27. The Oranges Band - Operator
28. Pilot to Gunner - All the Lights
29. Roh Delikat - Ant Overthrow
30. Self-Evident - World As a Verb
31. The Spectaculars - Dopasetic
32. Story of the Sea - West Bank
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Callum is the child of Janet Morgan (Shonben, Channels) and J. Robbins (Jawbox, Burning Airlines, Channels, and engineer for IJ's No Air). Approximately six months prior to his first birthday, Callum was diagnosed with with a genetic motor neuron disease called Type 1 SMA, or Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
Type 1 SMA affects the brain's ability to communicate with the voluntary muscles that are used for crawling, walking, head & neck control, breathing, and swallowing. Most Type 1 babies will die before their second birthday. Infants who do survive into childhood face a life of occupational therapy, wheelchairs, and assistive devices. There is currently no known cure. The fact is that Callum is pressed for time & his parents need help now.
Although conventional medicine is frequently covered by insurance, alternative procedures and therapies are not. As Janet and J. pursue all available courses of treatment for Callum, the need for additional funds has become increasingly urgent.
The Cultural Society, Catlick Records, and Letterbox compiled this collection of songs in order to raise money for Callum's care fund. All proceeds will go directly to Janet and J. to help ensure that they have sufficient resources to continue their search for effective, lasting treatment. Though our energies here are focused on the plight of our friends, it should be noted that a cure for Callum could also mean a cure for the other thousands of babies who suffer from SMA.
* * *
For more information about Callum, please visit Callum's blog, where you'll also find links to further information about SMA.
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Work Related Video
Toronto-based animator Jeff Ullman and his amazingly dedicated crew (animator Mai Kusuyama and designer Bart Kosmowski) took the first track of IJ's Painting Over the Dirt and ran with it. We are very excited about IJ's first music video. Post Nasal Drift
The first project with filmmaker Britta Johnson, Post Nasal Drift, is a cautionary tale in three parts. Britta is a true unique talent. Working with her (and watching the films) is like dunking yourself into another world. But Soft
This is a gentle and sublime short short. Something about it gets under your skin. As you can tell - just by the still - it's by Britta Johnson.
The Team
Collaborators
Things We Love
Upcoming events.
When: Thursday, Oct 23 2008
Where: Rehab | New York, NY
e're on the books for a CMJ show as part of the Organic Entertainment and September Gurl showcase at Rehab. We'll play in the afternoon. Specifics are still to come, but the bill will include the likes of KaiserCartel, Lucinda Black Bear, and Sky Cries Mary.
Past events.Jun 14 2008, Pete's Candy Store | Brooklyn, NY Jun 13 2008, Dubland Underground | Rochester, NY Jun 12 2008, The Comet | Cincinnati, OH Jun 11 2008, WOXY.com Lounge | Cincinnati, OH Jun 10 2008, Reggie's | Chicago, IL Jun 09 2008, Mr. Roberts | Madison, WI Jun 08 2008, Turf Club | St. Paul, MN Jun 07 2008, O'leavers Pub | Omaha, NE Jun 06 2008, Record Bar | Kansas City, MO Jun 05 2008, The Bluebird | St. Louis, MO Jun 03 2008, Caledonia Lounge | Athens, GA Jun 02 2008, The Cave | Chapel Hill, NC Jun 01 2008, The Camel | Richmond, VA May 30 2008, College Perk | College Park, MD May 29 2008, The Delancey | New York, NY Mar 28 2008, The Annex | New York, NY Mar 12 2008, Threadgill's South | Austin, TX Mar 02 2008, The Abbey Lounge | Boston, MA Mar 01 2008, B & G Lounge | South Windsor, CT Feb 29 2008, The Blackstone | Pawtucket, RI Feb 28 2008, Pete's Candy Store | Brooklyn, NY Feb 09 2008, Alphabet Lounge | New York, NY Jan 30 2008, Arlene's Grocery | New York, NY Dec 31 2007, Arlene's Grocery | New York, NY Dec 18 2007, Goodbye Blue Monday | Brooklyn, NY Nov 18 2007, Club Midway | New York, NY Aug 08 2006, Pianos | New York, NY Jul 27 2006, Sin-e | New York, NY May 19 2006, Sin-e | New York, NY Apr 26 2006, Fat Baby | New York, NY Oct 21 2005, 169 Bar | New York, NY Aug 19 2005, Sin-e | New York, NY Jul 08 2005, North Six | Brooklyn, NY May 20 2005, Pianos | New York, NY Dec 19 2004, Mercury Lounge | New York, NY Nov 20 2004, Crash Mansion | New York, NY Oct 30 2004, Pianos | New York, NY
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