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JohnJohn began a two piece pop rock and
Latin soul infused band, formed by Anthony Worn and Ben Viellefon.
They met in unusual circumstances. Anthony started as a musician
at 15 and played all over the UK for ten years, while Ben
played in France, Switzerland, Belgium and the USA before
coming to London. They both found the London music scene very
depressing with more emphasis on connections than music. It
seemed nobody was interested in listening to real live music
anymore! Ben was ready to give up; working in the media industry
and Anthony planned to leave the country to play elsewhere.
By a strange twist of fate, Anthony and
Ben were neighbours for two years without ever meeting. In
July 2001, their paths crossed: whilst looking at the larger
flat next door Ben found a guitar almost everywhere he went.
Recognizing a kindred spirit he dragged Anthony next door
to play. They jammed and 'Summer Spell' was born along with
the start of the band.
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| Anthony Worn
Vocals and guitars
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Benoit Viellefon
Bass and vocals
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Ilja Salonen
Drums
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Composing at an unprecedented rate, they
haven't stopped playing since. So far, the philosophy behind
the music is to sing and play live, needing no programming
or production, therefore remaining self sufficient. If songs
are strong enough, they stand on their own!
The guys quickly realized that their music
was ready to take the next step - by incorporating drumming,
reinforcing the rhythm backbone of the band. They first hired
a session drummer, then hired top Finish drummer Kari Paavla.
He was playing in the UK band "Cinerama" and had
to leave after a few months to tour Europe and USA. He recommended
his young colleague from Finland Ilja Salonen. From the first
audition, he felt the songs, had the right feel and within
a matter of weeks the band felt comfortable. The right line
up was finally there and the performances got better and better.
In december JohnJohn went to play in France,
where a live performance had been filmed. A five track live
video is now available
from this site.
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johnjohn debut album- flash music
player.
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Album available to download
on iTunes 
ALBUM REVIEW:
JOHN JOHN - JOHN JOHN
There was a time when bands with a French
vibe were the height of cool. When the likes of Daft Punk
and Air were flying the Tricolore for their homeland, we couldn’t
get enough of the muzak de jour from our friends on the other
side of the Chunnel.
Had John John released their gentle and
genuine collection of songs at the height of the French frenzy,
there is no doubt they would have been greeted rapturously.
It’s little surprise though, that this innovative and
industry-shunning duo are singing from their own song-sheet
and refuse to be sucked into the folly of music-business fashion.
John John are Anthony Worn and Benoit
Viellefon. The music is a delicate, acoustic melt of Crowded
House & Beatles influences, woven with the heady, summer
scent of Paris in the spring. It’s hard to believe that
only half of John John is actually from France. Worn’s
seductive accent sounds far removed from its Newcastle origins.
It is refreshing and entirely compatible with the style of
the album. The vocals are often romantic, with a modern edge
and poetic overtone. Its grass roots pop; a classic and organic
sound which makes a welcome change from the overproduced prog-rock
and infant-indie we’re used to being force fed by the
radio.
Crisp bass lines, twangy guitars, vocals
more velvety than Kleenex Double – there’s something
just so cool about this French-Anglo mix. ‘Memories’
has pure riverside café ambience. ‘Summer Spell’,
with it’s ‘California Dreamin’’ sentiment,
is laced with the airy sound of summer. There’s even
a subtle nod to reggae beats in the form of ‘Turner
Prize’ (which is indeed a comment on art).
The album as a whole is a pleasurable
listen which cries out to be accompanied by a creamy glass
of Chardonnay – but although it would be well-digested
over your next dinner party, don’t expect an album laden
with Camembert. John John somehow manages to tickle the discerning
ear with an easy sophistication similar to Santana’s
‘Smooth’ (admit it, we all love that track).
John John have been building a sizable
band of followers, thanks to various live gigs in London.
The band finance and produce their own material without any
record label support. They scoff at the ‘cartoon’
pop currently assassinating the chart and pledge to remain
as independent as they can despite any success that lands
at their feet.
They also design their own artwork and
run a multi-media company which is best experienced via their
web site. Their entrepreneurial, ethical and independent endeavours
have to be applauded – you certainly won’t see
them on Fame Academy.
It’s been a while since such an
honest and natural sounding record landed on my desk –
and it makes for a gorgeous listen. If you’re looking
for an uplifting and shrewdly cool soundtrack to the spring,
I’d recommend this album. As long as you like ‘real’
tunes and Neil Finn-esque song-writing you can’t go
wrong with John John. If you don’t want to take my word
for it, check out the (very clever) web site and sample a
soupcon of John John for yourself.
Johanna Payton.
johanna_payton@hotmail.com
For www.garbledonline.net
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