Calvin Johnson, independent music pioneer and founder of K Records, performed at Earth House last Friday. Dylan Rau ’07, an established performer in his own right, opened the event that attracted enough Wesleyan students to fill the three common rooms of Earth House.
“There was a large turn out. People kept moving closer to the stage area,” said Will Hood ’07.
Enthusiastic fans greeted Johnson with cheers and whistles as he performed.
“I thought he was fantastic. He was very personable – exactly like I’d always dreamed,” said Kate Mollison ’07. “He played some Halo Benders songs. I was hoping for some Beat Happening, but to no avail.”
Mollison, a WESU 88.1 FM DJ, is longtime fan of Johnson’s music. However, the concert attracted a crowd of new listeners as well as old fans.
“I had heard some Beat Happening earlier in the day. I was really surprised at not only his stage presence but the substance of his lyrics,” said Ben Steinberg ’06, the sound coordinator of the event.
The show started at 9 p.m. and lasted until shortly after midnight.
However the event did not go on without difficulties.
“Sound was only coming out of one of the speakers and we couldn’t figure it out. But he was very nice about it and played sans speakers,” Steinberg said.
“I like a lot of anti-folk artists and his style is reminiscent of that kind of music,” said Brendan O’Connell ’08.
“It was interesting and exciting. The a cappella performance was brave. We need more acoustic concerts at Wesleyan,” said Leila Duchac ’07.
Johnson played songs from both his solo and group projects, all of which garnered enthusiastic responses from the audience. He accompanied himself on guitar for most of the performance, setting it aside every so often for a witchingly resonant a cappella number.
But Johnson’s singing voice is just one asset of his charismatic stage presence. Many of those present cited Johnson’s storytelling as their favorite part of the show.
“I really enjoyed it,” said Matt Leddy ’08. “I learned a lot about tea trees, sharks, and voting. And speaking…slowly.”
Brendan O’Connell ’08 seconded this opinion, added, “I have started imitating [Johnson] in an effort to impress…and win…admirers.”
Others were put off by Johnson’s manner of speaking. “His sense of humor struck me as post-ironic,” said Danya Sherman ’06. “It was almost like he was making fun of us.”
Johnson founded K Records which focuses on international underground pop music in 1982. His major projects include Beat Happening, Halo Benders and Dub Narcotic Sound System.
Johnson welcomed the enthusiasm of Wesleyan students, which he reciprocated in his own way.
“It’s like we’re all just one big happy group of sweaty people. That’s one of my favorite things about a show,” Johnson said.
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