They’re bluesy. They’re folksy. But most of all, they’re the band you didn’t know you needed in your life.
Johnnyswim is an acoustic duo from Nashville, whose star is on the rise. In 2005, Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano met, formed the band after Sudano's insistence on creative collaboration, and began to change folk music for the better. Like the great love stories they sing about, the pair tied the knot in 2009, and their subsequent albums are wonderfully indicative of their real-life relationship. I was introduced to them this summer, and while their sound is perfect for warmer weather, they don’t lose their charm when the temperature drops. They’re so good that I actually bought their album on iTunes. You should know that I have Spotify Premium, so actually buying an album is a big deal to this girl.
To start, try "Diamonds," the title track from their first LP.
"Diamonds" is one of those optimistic songs that makes you want to jump in a car and road trip for days; it’s uplifting, it’s empowering, and it makes for a great ringtone! (But I’m not speaking from personal experience...or am I?) This album opener keeps the energy flowing through the rest of the tracks, and gives the listener a sweet little boost of confidence too.
Then, try "Don’t Let It Get You Down," a single.
This song, like "Diamonds," has a pretty positive message (you’ll find that this is common with quite a few of their songs), but it’s got a nice percussive ring to it that keeps the song’s momentum going. Plus, the duo’s ability to flawlessly harmonize with each other is in top form here. It’s a solid pick for any Johnnyswim newbie.
My personal favorites: "Take the World" & "A Million Years," both from Diamonds.
I have to admit, I’ve loved this album so much that these two tracks were hard to choose on their own, let alone only picking one favorite. I’ll warn you right now, they’re gushy and lovey and not the kind of thing you want to listen to when you believe you’ll be living alone with your cat for your whole life, but if you’re in the mood, they’re wonderful. "Take the World" is much slower and more poignant (favorite lyric? “they can write stories/ And they can sing songs/ But they don’t make fairytales sweeter than ours”), while "A Million Years" is bouncier, faster, and more for new love (see: “You are my story/ My fame and my glory/ Heaven unfolding”). They’re both great, and any new fan absolutely has to listen to them.
Holiday Bonus: "A Johnnyswim Christmas."
Their entire Christmas EP is an absolute joy to hear. There are about six or seven songs on it, and every single one is good. If you like acoustic Christmas, put this on the playlist right now before your moment passes. I promise you won’t regret it! Here's one of my favorites:
For anyone who likes acoustic, folksy, or bluesy music, Johnnyswim is your new favorite band. Check them out! They’re well worth the time (and the Spotify skips). Follow them on Twitter and Instagram too; they're hilarious, talented, and a pretty adorable couple.
