Dean Johanesen

Bradenton-based Dean Johanesen has worked the Tampa Bay scene so hard and for so long that we consider him one of our own. He’s taken a surprising turn in the f ew years since he dissolved The Human Condition to go the solo singer-songwriter route.

Dean Johanesen's influences range from speakeasy to circus
“I’d been at it for almost 10 years with different people coming and going,” Johanesen said in a recent interview. “After the last lineup started falling apart, I thought I’d pursue the solo thing, which would give me more options to change direction musically, tour a lot more and try something different.”

He’s spiced up his repertoire of acoustic guitar-driven fare with a sonic palette that calls on Spanish rumba-style instrumentals, speakeasy-era Americana, and swinging hot club jazz dosed in circus tent hues. In addition to original material, his sets are studded with perfectly executed covers of songs like Django Reinhardt’s “Minor Swing” and “Besame Mucho” by Consuelo Velázquez.

Even though he studied jazz and commercial music performance at Five Towns College of Music, nothing he’d written had been jazz-oriented until a circus-swing tune came to him virtually out of the blue. “It was called ‘Circus Queen,’ and it hearkened back to some of the stuff I was doing in college but still felt like a new direction.”

His stylistic change was further spurred by a non-musical source. “The inspiration actually came from a book I was reading about old circus history,” Johanesen explained, Sara Gruen’s historical novel Water for Elephants, which led him to biographies about the Ringling Brothers and Thomas Edison and prompted him to dig even further into 1920s and early ’30s-era history.

“I noticed there were a lot of parallels to what was going on in our society today” — from the fight against Prohibition and the current push for marijuana legalization and regulation, to the housing and financial crises, to the crime lords who’ve made money on the black market through the ages, to the sideshows and circuses that have entertained and served as a means of escape for the general populace — “and I kind of took off in that direction writing.”

Live, he plays clad in vaguely vintage vestments, with finely trimmed ‘stache and goatee and felt Homburg atop his head, while projections of vintage films featuring Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin and circus-themed clips play in black-and-white projections behind him. Despite being an accomplished axeman with a warm and pleasant vocal quality, the real secret behind his success is his versatility and ability to check his ego at the door.

“If you want to do this for a living, you have to wear a lot of different hats. Sometimes you have to take that restaurant gig where you’re background music and no one’s really listening,” Johanesen explained. “It can be hard to do, but I’ve been trying to find ways to be inspired even in those situations.”

He also faces the typical challenge of all solo operations: “How do you capture an audience as just one person? How do you make up for the shift in dynamics or energy that you get from a full-band lineup?”

For him, the solution is adding tools to his arsenal, like fleshing out his live sound and looping his playing, a technique that has conversely helped improve his ability to solo and improvise. He’s also spent a lot of time observing what works for other artists — how they tell a story, the way they engage with their audiences — to spark ideas about what he can do better. “I think if you’re really human with people and you’re honest about where you’re coming from, and you’re open enough to listen to them, too, and create a dialogue, it becomes a little bit easier to connect.”

In addition to the dates he plays this weekend, Johanesen is among the local talents tapped to play this year’s Gasparilla Music Festival, and the following week sees him kicking off a Southern tour with dates surrounding his unofficial SXSW performances in Austin. “This will be my seventh year heading back out that way.”

He has about an album’s worth of era-themed material for his next full-length. “I’ve got some different instrumentation on this one; I’m kind of piecing a band together so it’s taking a little longer.”

He’s already recorded the vocals and guitar at Zen Studios, and is currently tracking the secondary parts from home, with select musician friends (including Rob Pastore and Chris Sgammato) sitting in on upright bass, violin, drums and even clarinet. If all goes well, he hopes to release the album sometime in May.

More info and show dates at deanjohanesen.com. - Creative Loafing

Traveling is old hat for singer/songwriter Dean Johanesen, but his upcoming venture to the Lowcountry is a trip he has longed to make.

The highly acclaimed artist plans to leave his hometown of Sarasota, Fla., for Tybee Island to play June 9 in the Songwriter in the Round showcase at the Tybee American Legion.

“I’ve only been to Savannah once and it’s been a long time, and I’ve wanted to get back,” Johanesen said. “I played an open mic at Sentient Bean several years ago.”

The son of a single mom always on the move, he said he “grew up moving all over the place, and it prepared me for touring.”

“I like being on the road,” he said.

The 40-year-old musician said he spent most of his youth in New York City and Long Island, and his mother played a huge role in introducing him to different musical styles.

“I spent a lot of time in my early days listening to records with my mother,” Johanesen said. “We listened to Paul Simon, John Denver, Dolly Parton and Led Zeppelin. She also liked musicals, so I feel like I was exposed to a lot of different styles and they all influenced my music.”

Johanesen started playing the guitar when he was 14 and he studied jazz and commercial music performance at Five Towns College of Music in Dix Hills on Long Island. He describes his music as a mix of Americana and a touch of gypsy jazz.

It’s the gypsy jazz element that also inspired his classy signature look of sharp, dark vests and clean, button-up shirts, ties, slacks and his trademark fedora.

“When I was at school, I noticed that in the pictures of these old style jazz performers, they were dressed to the nines,” Johanesen said. “The way I dress pays tribute to the music I play.”

But he is quick to point out he keeps the front brim of his fedora turned up to show his playful side.

“It’s kind of a nod to show I know myself well enough not to take myself too seriously.”

While his hat may show a silly side, his lyrics do not.

“Right now I’m focusing on a theme inspired by the 1930s,” he said. “I’m focusing on topics about the early circus lifestyle and the Depression. It makes for an interesting combination of dark lyrics put to upbeat jazz tempo.

“I enjoy seeing the crowd dance to the upbeat tempo of my songs and not be aware that the words behind the songs are dark,” he added.

Despite the strong narrative style of his songs, Johanesen doesn’t see himself as a ballad maker, but rather a storyteller.

“I like to write from a viewpoint of being human in different situations,” he said.

He admits he never writes a playlist for the songwriter-in-the-round performances, so he isn’t sure what he will play for the Tybee show.

“The format for these types of shows follows the Nashville style of The Bluebird Café,” he said. “It’s a cool format because you get to play with others and play alone. I’ve never played with the other songwriters, so I’m not sure what to expect.

“If I play after someone who did ballads, I might play something more upbeat for the crowd, or if someone is following a theme, I may come in and play some songs that also follow that theme,” Johanesen said.

One thing the crowd can expect from Johanesen and the other artists is no cover music. This forum is dedicated to songwriters and their original music, which is right up Johanesen’s alley.

“Being a songwriter is a very key part of who I am,” he said. “Writing and performing original music is the main focus of what I do.

“It’s a lot of work because I really have had to stick to my guns and prove myself as an artist. But the hard work has proved to be beneficial, and I’m glad I took the time to establish myself.”

Doors for the show will open at 5:30 p.m. at the Tybee American Legion Post No. 154. Music kicks off at 6 p.m. and there is no cover for this all-ages event.

Tom Cooler will host the event alongside musicians Aaron Matthew, Thomas Oliver and Johanesen.

The event is sponsored by the Savannah Songwriters, who aim to promote original music from local musicians in songwriters-in-the-round showcases.

Now in its third year, the group sponsors a twice-a-month showcase, the second Sunday at the American Legion on Tybee and the fourth Sunday at Johnny Harris.

The series occasionally features touring songwriters and never charges a cover fee.

IF YOU GO

What: Songwriters in the Round

When: 6-7:30 p.m. June 9

Where: Tybee American Legion Post No. 154, 10 Veterans Drive

Cost: Free; drinks and pizza by the slice available.

Info: 912-786-5356 - Savannahnow

There’s something about listening to music live that changes the way you hear it. It makes you feel emotionally connected. You can see the feelings and the words written across an artist’s face. The acoustics make you feel it. The sound makes you sway. And discovering a new artist by accident in a downtown bar can really make a night.

That’s what happened with me when I stopped into Tony’s Studio B for a glass of wine one Saturday night.

I was not looking for anything in particular, just a nice place to lounge and enjoy myself and celebrate with friends when this musician got on the stage, strummed his guitar and started singing the most gorgeous songs I had ever heard. All of it was original compositions and the way he sang the words made you sway and want to listen to what he was singing. His manner of holding his guitar, his suede vest, suspenders, and mysterious hat is what kept you watching. This night, I discovered one of my favorite local musicians, Dean Johanesen.

Dean’s sound is unique in the soft murmur of words mixed with a tune bearing a jazz/country twang. I wouldn’t consider it country, however. Almost bluesy in some parts, then folkish in the next. The sound kept you guessing. It was an original. And that’s what made me fall in love with Dean’s sound.

You can find Dean’s performances on our Live Music Calendar. You will usually find him at Tony’s but he occasionally makes appearances elsewhere. Check out one of his songs below or check out his album on iTunes. - YLakeland

(Welcome to tbt*'s Ultimate Local Music Guide! All week we're spotlighting 10 of our favorite local artists of the past year. Today: Bradenton singer-songwriter Dean Johanesen.)

In his bestselling book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell claims the key to success in any field is a matter of practicing a specific task for around 10,000 hours.

For longtime Bradenton singer-songwriter Dean Johanesen, the concept wasn’t so much earth-shattering as it was a confirmation of a path he’d already chosen.

“Years back I decided I didn’t want to be a weekend warrior anymore,” Johanesen says. “And that book really drove the point home for me. I said to myself, that’s where I am going. I have to get to that 10,000 hours or beyond.”

Before a gig at The Ale and the Witch on a steamy St. Petersburg evening, Johanesen indulges in a complimentary sampling of smoked white cheddar cheese jalapeno grits and a craft beer from the waitstaff. He snaps a few photos in his now-trademark trilby hat, vest and tie (a tribute to his 1930s gypsy-jazz fascination) while two women who’ve identified themselves as “Caitlin and Caitlin” look on intently.

“Oooh, you’re in a band,” they cackle. “An ultimate band!?”

So maybe these 10,000 hours aren’t so rough after all.

But Johanesen, the devoted dad and husband, just smiles bashfully and sends a nod of appreciation their way before he’s back to outlining his 2013 musical gameplan. It’s one that will take his literate brand of toe-tapping Americana tunes, like the incendiary Mr. Delaware and those from latest A Time and a Place, across the country.

“The goal for this year is to be on the road playing 10 days out of the month, every month,” he says. And it’s a lofty one, as most Bay-area artists without devoted booking agents can attest.

The craftsman Johanesen has a long list of local career highlights with his strummy alt-rock group The Human Condition and as a solo performer. Opening for Howard Jones, Peter Mulvey, Glenn Phillips and Martha Wainwright and appearing on innumerable “Best-of-the-Bay”-type compilations are just a few of them.

But when it’s time to hit the road, it’s like starting from scratch.

“Outside of Tampa Bay, I am nobody,” Johanesen says candidly. “You have to be honest about the fact that it will be tough to draw anybody to the show, but that you’re going to do the best job you possibly can to promote it.”

Johanesen also likes to make distinctions about the types of shows he takes on.

“There are gigs that feed your pocket and there are gigs that feed your soul,” he says. “When I have the chance to share about what a song means to me and why I wrote it, people really seem to respond to it. Maybe it’s because they’re inundated with music all the time that it takes something else to make a real connection.”

Johanesen’s tour to England in 2011 only solidified the feeling.

“I think I had a shift in my way of performing and storytelling over there,” he says. The audiences in England are listening-room audiences wherever you go, he explains. The bar is separate from where music is actually performed.

“So, you go get your drink and walk through double-doors to get to the audience and they’re pin-drop silent while you’re playing and listening to every word,” he says. “I was really intimated by that, but at the same time really inspired.”

In Johanesen’s spare time back home in Bradenton, he teaches a preschool music program he developed for nearly a dozen schools in the area.

“I bring in a different instrument each week and the kids take turns playing and learning about the parts, hopefully to catch their attention early if they’re interested,” he says. “And if not, they’ve at least had a cool, hands-on experience.”

The job might fit within the 10,000-hour quest, but the number takes a back seat to something bigger.

“It’s just what I love to do,” he says.

-- Carole Liparoto, tbt* - Tampa Bay Times - TBT

"Johanesen's album look [that rocks] includes both a fedora and guitar, and reminds me of Madmen meets the Wild Wild West. His sounds supplement this style with folksy jazzy blues that make you want to leisurely float down a lazy river or meander through a field of wildflowers." - Anna

"Johanesen's album look [that rocks] includes both a fedora and guitar, and reminds me of Madmen meets the Wild Wild West. His sounds supplement this style with folksy jazzy blues that make you want to leisurely float down a lazy river or meander through a field of wildflowers." - Anna

"Notably one of the hardest working singer songwriters in the biz , Johanesen has engaged a Kickstarter Campaign to help raise funds for his first solo release and tour. WHOA recently sealed a deal for Johanesen’s in-store promotional shows and signings with Books A Million and FYE to assist with the first regional run through the S.E. Region. The first leg of the tour will take place from November 24th through December 16th." - Nashville Music News - Dan Harr

"Notably one of the hardest working singer songwriters in the biz , Johanesen has engaged a Kickstarter Campaign to help raise funds for his first solo release and tour. WHOA recently sealed a deal for Johanesen’s in-store promotional shows and signings with Books A Million and FYE to assist with the first regional run through the S.E. Region. The first leg of the tour will take place from November 24th through December 16th." - Nashville Music News - Dan Harr

"Dean’s vocals strong and clear, with acoustic guitar chords in comparison to Glen Hansard and Chet Atkins, this debut release fits well into the ever changing world we live in. While he is a singer/songwriter in his own right, here Johanesen focuses primarily on personal stories of friendship and family that make the most of his naturally polished vocal resonance of romanticism exclusive of pride in every note. Each of the radio-friendly songs are expertly produced and arranged, each track walk a fine line between adult contemporary to pop, roots rock to folk americana." - WSLR 96.5 LPFM Newsletter

"Dean’s vocals strong and clear, with acoustic guitar chords in comparison to Glen Hansard and Chet Atkins, this debut release fits well into the ever changing world we live in. While he is a singer/songwriter in his own right, here Johanesen focuses primarily on personal stories of friendship and family that make the most of his naturally polished vocal resonance of romanticism exclusive of pride in every note. Each of the radio-friendly songs are expertly produced and arranged, each track walk a fine line between adult contemporary to pop, roots rock to folk americana." - WSLR 96.5 LPFM Newsletter

"Dean´s style draws from a number of influences, but appeals to fans of Country, Americana, and Gypsy Jazz. A consummate performer, Dean not only tells good stories through his music, but seems to live them them in every note. For all that he has done for the Sarasota music community, and for the incredibly talented musician that he is, please go to Dean Johanesen´s Kickstarter page and pledge to help make Sarasota a place where deserving artists are supported and encouraged to thrive." - Sarasota Music Scene - Steve McAllister

"Dean´s style draws from a number of influences, but appeals to fans of Country, Americana, and Gypsy Jazz. A consummate performer, Dean not only tells good stories through his music, but seems to live them them in every note. For all that he has done for the Sarasota music community, and for the incredibly talented musician that he is, please go to Dean Johanesen´s Kickstarter page and pledge to help make Sarasota a place where deserving artists are supported and encouraged to thrive." - Sarasota Music Scene - Steve McAllister

"A Time and a Place is Dean’s first solo LP. It’s set to be released November 20th on the WHOA Music Label. Both the artist and his new label are based in Florida. “Sorry In the Meantime” is a well-crafted nostalgia reflection set over gentle guitar and piano accompaniment. Dean’s youthful but traveled voice is well found in this type of format. The next song follows a similar template giving the songwriter more time to spin stories liberated within these recordings, unrestrained in the rhythms to produce honest music like Melloncamp, Springsteen, or Adam Duritz." - Speakercone - Michael Finney

"A Time and a Place is Dean’s first solo LP. It’s set to be released November 20th on the WHOA Music Label. Both the artist and his new label are based in Florida. “Sorry In the Meantime” is a well-crafted nostalgia reflection set over gentle guitar and piano accompaniment. Dean’s youthful but traveled voice is well found in this type of format. The next song follows a similar template giving the songwriter more time to spin stories liberated within these recordings, unrestrained in the rhythms to produce honest music like Melloncamp, Springsteen, or Adam Duritz." - Speakercone - Michael Finney

"“A Time and a Place” is a delightful first release from a powerful and focused singer/songwriter. It is all but certain that this is only the beginning of a long and successful ride." - Bay Buzz - Phillip G. Traynor

"“A Time and a Place” is a delightful first release from a powerful and focused singer/songwriter. It is all but certain that this is only the beginning of a long and successful ride." - Bay Buzz - Phillip G. Traynor

"New & Blue Session tonight on WSLR 96.5 LPFM - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Studio Line 941-954-8636.... Live and performing in the studio tonight... One of Florida's best singer/songwriters Dean Johanesen." - DJ - Gary Ingamont - New & Blue Session host

"New & Blue Session tonight on WSLR 96.5 LPFM - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Studio Line 941-954-8636.... Live and performing in the studio tonight... One of Florida's best singer/songwriters Dean Johanesen." - DJ - Gary Ingamont - New & Blue Session host