Over 5 million streams (and counting), a #1 airplay hit with a debut single release, top of Spotify’s Fresh Country playlist for a record 18 weeks, and over 8,000 fans utilising ‘RAISED LIKE THAT’ on their Tik Tok’s. Heck, if this is any indication, James Johnston has well and truly arrived and is set to blow the doors off the country music worlds hinges with the release of his second single ‘SMALL TOWN’.
A country boy born and bred in Wingham; James Johnston has built a sound that is capturing the hearts of listeners everywhere. His latest single ‘SMALL TOWN’ is a song of yearning: to return to his roots, away from the bright lights of the city skyline to the endless starlight of the bush. A sentiment his loyal fanbase are sure to resonate with.
Produced by Elijah Cavanagh of Cavanagh Films, the video for ‘SMALL TOWN’ was shot on the outskirts of Gatton in Queensland, to capture the simple pleasure of a country bonfire party. “The story line follows the journey of a young country guy who was working in the city returning to his roots”, explains Johnston. “We threw a big party with a bunch of friends and just captured the magic.”
Johnston’s writing is unique and familiar all at once, with a modern unique sound. On the writing of the song, Johnston says: “I wrote ‘Small Town’ on the drive back home to my hometown of Wingham. I had been spending quite some time in the city and I was just so excited to get back to my family farm. I wanted to capture that feeling of excitement and anticipation in the song – that build up as I was on that drive to get back home.”
Produced by Justin Wantz in Nashville, ‘SMALL TOWN’ follows on from ‘RAISED LIKE THAT’, a debut single that has seen Johnston garner extensive national airplay leading to a #1 hit single on TMN CountryTown Hot 50 airplay charts. With over 5 million streams, ‘RAISED LIKE THAT’ is now regarded as the fastest streamed single by an Australian Country artist ever.
Johnston’s recent activity on the live circuit has seen him play to huge crowds garnering stand out reviews. From performances at Pro Bull Riding events, to festival’s including Bush to Bay Festival and Savannah In The Round, the praise has been encouraging with Mareeba Express stating “Performing at his first ever festival, Johnston – the voice behind the massive breakout hit ‘RAISED LIKE THAT’ was exceptional during his main stage performance on Friday afternoon. This man is going places. Make no mistake – this man is headed for a career in Nashville.”
Despite the accolades, Johnston is still the level-headed, unassuming and approachable country guy he has always been. “I think so often when you grow up in a small town you think there is something so much bigger and better out there. Only until you step away you realise the magic of a small town and a close community. My family farm is still on the outskirts of my small town of Wingham and it’s still one of my favourite things to go back to”, Johnston says.
‘SMALL TOWN’ is a road-trip anthem, perfect for singing out loud with the windows down, by an artist who is going places – and fast. With Apple Music announcing Johnston as the first Australian country artist to feature in the ‘Up Next’ local program, geared towards identifying and showcasing rising talent across Australia and New Zealand, Johnston is making an indelible mark on the music scene. He’s an artist that is set to be the soundtrack of this summer, and many more to come.
