Hobo Johnson

One of the aspects of music that I found myself appreciating from a young age was emotion. A musician unleashing their feelings through the mic, not being afraid to let go, and being honest with listeners would always catch my attention. I guess I never grew out of my emo-kid phase, but that’s what being raised on Bright Eyes/Conor Oberst will do to ya. I recently stumbled onto an artist who hits all the right levels of emotion, honesty, and general weirdness: Hobo Johnson. The first video of his that I watched was for his track “Romeo & Juliet” which starts off with a thumping beat that led me to think he would be just another young YouTube rapper. An abrupt tonal shift comes after the intro that finds Hobo lamenting failed relationships and divorce over some simple piano notes. The lyrics that cite Shakespeare’s seminal story of star-crossed lovers paint a picture of love, loss, and grief.             

From there I moved onto his “NPR Tiny Desk Contest” aka “Peach Scone.” Watching Hobo and his friends perform in a yard strewn with art projects and instruments was entertaining to no end. Hobo Johnson reminded me of the insanely creative, Adderall-ridden friend with ADHD that kept high school entertaining for so many of us. He isn’t afraid to lose control of his voice, with his lyrics swelling to a crescendo of energy that has to be unleashed. The last video of his that I want to talk about is the perfect example of this.             

Just last week Hobo posted a brief video titled “Feb. 15th (alone forever).” The simple song finds the singer/songwriter/rapper/producer sitting in his open garage with just an acoustic guitar and his voice. The lyrics depict a person filled with emotional instability who is afraid that he will lose everyone in his life. Hobo picks at his guitar, calmly discusses these fears, then erupts into a scream for his whole neighborhood to hear. I’ve already mentioned Conor Oberst, but this video reminded me so much of the acoustic recordings that I heard from him when I was a kid. Quiet guitar, the range in vocalization, the fact that this video shares a title with a Bright Eyes song. This was the video where I knew that he wasn’t just another YouTube rapper; you know, the type that wears chokers and paints their nails to gain crossover success with the emo kids. He’s a young, genuine guy who is using his music to let the world know who he is and how he feels. It’s not the type of music you’ll hear on the radio, but the kind that you see performed live in an intimate venue that you’ll leave with a new perspective on things. I’ve only been listening to Hobo Johnson for a few weeks, but I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this musician. Check out his album The Rise of Hobo Johnson on Spotify or Apple Music and subscribe to his YouTube page for new videos.