Decades into his career, outsider legend Daniel Johnston continues to inspire with his limitless output. Following the retrospective Story of an Artist box set last year, the Austin, TX-based singer-songwriter has two projects in the works, though neither relate to a new album.
The first is a unique celebration to coincide with Johnston's upcoming 50th birthday on Saturday (January 22). As BrooklynVegan points out, a hotline has been set up for fans to call in and send their well wishes. A press release encourages fans to "tell a story, sing Daniel a song, cover one of his songs, or anything else that lets Daniel, and his fans, know how much he means to you and to the world of music. Throw on a party hat if you got one, and leave any message you want. Any length you want. Anything goes."
Try it for yourself by calling 936-463-4688, where you will hear a message from Daniel and be allowed to record a greeting. The artist will listen to all the messages, and on his birthday he will air many of them alongside exclusive performances on the newly minted Daniel Johnston Radio.
That's not the only exciting plan Johnston has up his sleeve, however. As a world-renowned visual artist, Johnston will finally bring his cartoony characters into the world of comic books. As a press release explains, "Through Kickstarter.com, Daniel will raise money to publish a limited run of the comic book he's always wanted to make, titled Daniel Johnston's Infinite Comic Book of Musical Greatness. The comic will also exist online complete with music and interactive elements which will take Daniel's vision to a whole new dimension."
Stay tuned for more information and the official Kickstarter page for Johnston's comic when it becomes available.
The first is a unique celebration to coincide with Johnston's upcoming 50th birthday on Saturday (January 22). As BrooklynVegan points out, a hotline has been set up for fans to call in and send their well wishes. A press release encourages fans to "tell a story, sing Daniel a song, cover one of his songs, or anything else that lets Daniel, and his fans, know how much he means to you and to the world of music. Throw on a party hat if you got one, and leave any message you want. Any length you want. Anything goes."
Try it for yourself by calling 936-463-4688, where you will hear a message from Daniel and be allowed to record a greeting. The artist will listen to all the messages, and on his birthday he will air many of them alongside exclusive performances on the newly minted Daniel Johnston Radio.
That's not the only exciting plan Johnston has up his sleeve, however. As a world-renowned visual artist, Johnston will finally bring his cartoony characters into the world of comic books. As a press release explains, "Through Kickstarter.com, Daniel will raise money to publish a limited run of the comic book he's always wanted to make, titled Daniel Johnston's Infinite Comic Book of Musical Greatness. The comic will also exist online complete with music and interactive elements which will take Daniel's vision to a whole new dimension."
Stay tuned for more information and the official Kickstarter page for Johnston's comic when it becomes available.
