Over the course of four albums, Freedy Johnston has become a steady figure in the American rock scene. His character studies are impressionistic, leaving enough gray to allow listeners to draw their own conclusions about the protagonists he writes about. Johnston appears Sunday at Schubas for an acoustic set; his performance takes place after a 7:30 p.m. book release party for No Depression magazine’s new alternative country tome. The book presents a collection of profiles from the magazine as well as a list of 101 essential alt-country records. Robbie Fulks also will play; call 773-525-2508.
Q: Q: You’ve lived in New York for 10 years, but you’re still portrayed as a Midwestern rocker from a Kansas farm. Does the “salt-of-the-earth” angle ever get tiresome?
A: A: I try to have a sense a humor about it because an artist is only going to have a certain number of hooks for their personality. I’m always going to be the guy from Kansas who sold the farm (to make my record), and that’s fine. I’m glad to even be noticed at all.
Q: Q: You’re working with producer T. Bone Burnett (Los Lobos, Sam Phillips) on this new record. How was that experience?
A: A: He’s helped me greatly in getting the songs together but also in giving me an education in how to stop worrying about all the things you have to do to be a musician. If you get defensive or precious about it, you look like a fool. He taught me to focus on music and the love of it that got me into this in the first place.
Q: Q: How do you perceive yourself in the Americana movement?
A: A: I would be embarrassed to acknowledge myself as part of the movement, but I love all the bands in the alleged movement. The Bottle Rockets, Wilco and on down are where country music is; it’s not in Nashville.
