“Hailing from the Midlands Stew and Dan began collaborating back in 2018 on the first Swampmeat Family Band LP “Too Many Things to Hide”. Two more records followed as the relationship evolved and 2020’s “Muck!” and 2023’s “Polish Your Old Halo” saw the duo dig even deeper into the pedal steel arrangements for Dan’s original compositions. Prior to this, Stewart had toured the globe for over two decades with various projects including his band The Toy Hearts and even a West End stint with the musical “Great Balls of Fire.”
Also, previously, Dan spent almost a decade writing, recording and touring with US act Low Cut Connie, winning many accolades for his songs, including from President Barack Obama and Jack White. In 2023, Dan began producing a documentary about Stew ’s life entitled “The Many Lives of Stewart Johnson” directed by filmmaker Jez Alsop.
“Johnson & Finnemore’s debut album sees the long-time collaboration reach its pinnacle with the duo teaming up to produce a bonafide country-drenched cut, with a soulful warmth at the core of this recording. There’s a lush country waltz, blues-infused anthems and 70’s Laurel Canyon vibes throughout. Johnson’s craft shines like a beacon with his command of pedal steel, dobro and guitar whilst Finnemore’s melodies and lyrics are as true as they have ever been resulting in a debut record that will stick with you and bring you home!
The album’s call sheet features standout contributions from Hannah Johnson delivering duelling vocals with Finnemore on “The Gun”, and Legendary vocalists Julian Littman & Charlie Dore famed for their work with Gerry Rafferty, Dexy’s Midnight Runner, Tina Turner, and George Harrison. Guest Superstars supplying the sounds are Buzz Bywater (Bass), Liam Grundy (piano, organ), Howard Gregory (fiddle), James Everhart (wah), Joshua Friedman (drum machine), T-Bird (skins), Johnny Lee (horns).”
And now, here is the conversation Rock the Joint Magazine had with the guys:
The interview-
Babybird came out, I believe, as an opening single – it’s a dreamy romantic number that draws on elements of folk (instrumentally) and country (vocally) – was it a track you played around with a lot and changed, or was it one that fell into place quite easily?
Dan & Stewart: Babybird was written in about 20 minutes as the best songs usually are. I toyed around with other lyrics but it the repetition of the verses just felt right. It just has a sense of hope to it that we both
thought would be appropriate to release as a first single.
We are in an age of streaming, where many people will drop in and out of albums rather than listen to the whole piece. Do you think this is generally having a positive or negative impact on the way we consume music?
Dan & Stewart: The business end of the model sucks but I can’t sit here and proclaim that the internet has killed music. A lot of collaborations are possible now that never were and the choice and immediacy of music would be hard to give up. But… yes, there will always be something magical about not only listening to a record in full (the best way) and actually owning a record is everything.
The press release speaks of ‘joy in darker days.’ In these troubled times, do you feel music has a huge ability to both unify communities and improve personal wellbeing?
Dan & Stewart: Of course. You only have to look at what the Oasis reunion shows are doing for huge audiences
in some of the most divisive times ever. It’s a joy to see. We played a debut sold out hometown show recently and there really was a great vibe in the air. There is a lot of love on this album though so I guess it’s partly down to that.
“How the World’s Treating You” gives us an instrumental. It took me toward The Shadows with a touch of Hawaii and the beach! It’s short, but is it one you enjoy?
Dan & Stewart: That track is a cover originally written by Chet Atkins and Boudleaux Bryant in 1953 and has since
been recorded by other artists from Elvis to Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. It’s a song that we
started playing together as a duo right at the start of this project so we wanted to honor that by
putting a version on the record.
I will also mention “The Gun” as I really liked the beat to this one, it has that easy foot-tapper feel and Hannah Johnson provides a lovely dual vocal with you guys. A standout track on the album for me. Tell me about this one and how the dual vocal came into play.
Dan & Stewart: Hannah is Stew’s daughter who is an amazing artist in her own right. I wrote that song 20 years
ago but it never found its home until now. Stew was the one to suggest the duet with Hannah and
he is also responsible for the killer arrangements on the track which really make it a stand out
number.
Post release are you guys playing some shows or doing radio etc? What are the remaining plans for late 2025?
Dan & Stewart: We have a Christmas show in the works and are starting to look at festivals in the UK for next
Summer. Hopefully, the record will continue to find a bigger audience as the year comes to a
close.
What are your hopes for the album? Is it the start of something, or more a culmination of a long road of travel?
Dan & Stewart: I’ve got lots of material ready to go so we’ll see. I just hope this album finds its way to as many
ears as possible as we’re both really proud of how it’s turned out.
Last of all, what was the last album you listened to from beginning to end, and did you enjoy it?
Dan & Stewart: Cosmic Guilt – Palace of Depression. Amazing band/record, check it out!
And now, the review (by Stevie Ritson):
The album has eight songs and runs to just under 24 minutes.
“Babybird” is a folk leaning romance, stripped down sound and an immediacy in the production that brings the artists close to you. It’s a gentle folk tune with that twist of country in the blend.
“How Many Summers?” This has a sadness in the lyric but the music and general tone (along with some nice background harmonies) keep the track upbeat. I would describe it as a simple foot-tapper, a strong rhythmic beat and a pleasing chorus that would make it right for Smooth Radio.It has a gentle appeal.
“Beady Eye” – I enjoyed the guitar work on this one, and it reminded me a bit of the late sixties style of playing. The drums have a rumbling rhythm and the piece picked up a beat with almost a twist of the Orient mid-section. It was an interesting blend of influences.
“How’s The World Treating You”- at 1.39 this is the instrumental that Lorraine noted in her chat to the guys, I largely agree with the Hawaii feeling and the guitars leave that relaxing/holiday feeling at the end.
“Ride High” – at 3.57 is the longest song on the album, a slower bluesy number with a gentle drum sound to ride along to. The chorus has the dual vocals that work well and the track has a natural sway to it, it kind of made me think of two cowboys riding their horses into the sunset!
“Ear To The Ground” is a love song, a dreamy romantic number that promises all the things lovers say at the start before life gets in the way. It slots its way nicely into the album.
“The Gun” is my personal favourite on the album. It is the most country track on the album with Hannah Johnson providing the shared vocals, adding some spice to the album. The guitar rhythm is simple, but really effective and the vocals have a built in smile and harmony.
“Find A Love That Brings You Home” closes the album with a folk/country blend presenting that positivity and encourages us all to “get back up” no matter what the difficulty.
“Find A Love That Brings You Home” might not reinvent the wheel, but it does roll steadily along the road of country, folk and blues with sincerity and craft. Johnson & Finnemore clearly know their roots, and while the album keeps things understated, there’s a warmth and honesty that makes it worth the ride. It’s one to sit with on a late summer evening, letting the pedal steel do its work. In a noisy world, sometimes a gentle harmony is exactly what we need.
Thus, this is a soulful country-folk blend that proves sometimes the quietest records leave the loudest echoes.
And we hope you liked the feature, dear reader! If you did, please check out the other pages of the magazine; we have many great features, merchandise pages, shops, editorials and even a poetry page. Content is free here, but we work hard for you, and to support the magazine, please show your appreciation on the support button below and buy us a coffee!
You can stream music from Johnson & Finnemore here
By Lorraine Foley
and
Stevie Ritson
