Said the Guests: Johnnie Cluney
by Sean
Please note: MP3s are only kept online for a short time, and if this entry is from more than a couple of weeks ago, the music probably won't be available to download any more.


 

Said the Gramophone is a big fan of Daytrotter, that strange young project of words, art and sound, where artists are invited into an Illinois studio as they travel through one of America's more barren stretches. These sessions are presented for free download, accompanied (usually) by Sean Moeller's precise, curling writing; and paintings by a man called Johnnie Cluney. When I visit Daytrotter it's not the music that first arrests me (not even in the case of Bonnie Prince Billy's recent & marvelous session): it's Johnnie's art. The works are full of life and movement and clumsiness, ripe with accident and a Polaroid's fertile glance. But, yes, painted and drawn. The work of hands.

It was very obvious to me that I should ask Johnnie to choose a couple of favourite songs for us, and draw them. So I asked him. Sean Moeller helped me transmit the message, since Johnnie rarely checks his email. And Sean picked up the paintings and scanned them for me, since Johnnie doesn't really know how. So we really all owe Sean some thanks. But first and foremost (and I hope Sean won't be offended), let's raise a glass of strawberry wine to the man with ink on his fingers, the fine Mr Johnny Cluney. Please make him welcome; and enjoy his works.

- Sean (Michaels)

Paul McCartney - "Lovely Linda"
Johnnie Cluney - "The Lovely Linda"" (click for full size) (buy McCartney)



The Beatles - "Flying"
Johnnie Cluney - "Flying" (click for full size) (buy Magical Mystery Tour)



[johnnie cluney is a 24 year old musician/artist from davenport, ia. johnnie has been drawing pictures for most of his life. he enjoys all mediums. you can see more of his drawings at daytrotter.com or you can listen to his music at www.myspace.com/quietbears]


(Previous guest-blogs, in and out of the Said the Guests series: Beirut, Jonathan Lethem, Will Butler (Arcade Fire), Al Kratina, Eugene Mirman, artist Dave Bailey, Agent Simple, artist Keith Andrew Shore, Owen Ashworth (Casiotone for the Painfully Alone), artist Kit Malo with Alden Penner (The Unicorns) 1 2, artist Rachell Sumpter, artist Katy Horan 1 2, David Barclay (The Diskettes), artist Drew Heffron, Carl Wilson, artist Tim Moore, Michael Nau (Page France), Devin Davis, Will Sheff (Okkervil River), Edward Droste (Grizzly Bear), Hello Saferide, Damon Krukowski (Damon & Naomi), Brian Michael Roff, Howard Bilerman (producer: Silver Mt. Zion, Arcade Fire, etc.). There are many more to come.)

Posted by Sean at September 7, 2006 3:00 AM
Comments

Beautiful....Simply beautiful!

Posted by (Aunt) Debbie at September 7, 2006 7:50 AM

quiet bears are great!

Posted by pete at September 8, 2006 1:02 PM

just wonderig if we are related, my dad is from iowa

Posted by mark cluney at December 10, 2007 7:57 PM

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"And I shall watch the ferry-boats / and they'll get high on a bluer ocean / against tomorrow's sky / and I will never grow so old again."
about the authors
Sean Michaels is the founder of Said the Gramophone. He is a writer, critic and author of the theremin novel Us Conductors. Follow him on Twitter or reach him by email here. Click here to browse his posts.

Emma Healey writes poems and essays in Toronto. She joined Said the Gramophone in 2015. This is her website and email her here.

Jeff Miller is a Montreal-based writer and zinemaker. He is the author of Ghost Pine: All Stories True and a bunch of other stories. He joined Said the Gramophone in 2015. Say hello on Twitter or email.

Mitz Takahashi is originally from Osaka, Japan who now lives and works as a furniture designer/maker in Montreal. English is not his first language so please forgive his glamour grammar mistakes. He is trying. He joined Said the Gramophone in 2015. Reach him by email here.

Site design and header typography by Neale McDavitt-Van Fleet. The header graphic is randomized: this one is by Neale McDavitt-Van Fleet.
PAST AUTHORS
Dan Beirne wrote regularly for Said the Gramophone from August 2004 to December 2014. He is an actor and writer living in Toronto. Any claim he makes about his life on here is probably untrue. Click here to browse his posts. Email him here.

Jordan Himelfarb wrote for Said the Gramophone from November 2004 to March 2012. He lives in Toronto. He is an opinion editor at the Toronto Star. Click here to browse his posts. Email him here.
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