Bobby Johnston

Bobby Johnston
Johnston in 2023
Occupation(s)Film Composer, musician, author.
Years active2001–present
Websitehttp://www.bobbyjohnston.com/

Bobby Johnston (born 1967 in Olean, New York) is a Los Angeles based film composer, multi-instrumentalist and author. He has composed original music scores for several films, including King of the Ants, Wristcutters: A Love Story, Edmond, Stuck, Mother's Day, Marfa Girl, Bleed Out and City of Gold.[1] He often worked with director Stuart Gordon.

Johnston became known for an unusual approach to film composition, using only acoustic instruments and usually performing every instrument himself.[2] Over his career, he has also brought in many instrumental soloists to accent his sound. Most notable are his scores to Edmond, which featured trumpet player Asdru Sierra from Ozomatli and Crazy Eyes, featuring Big Sir vocalist Lisa Papineau. He also worked with percussionist Greg Ellis on the scores to A New York Heartbeat, Mother's Day and The Barrens.

Johnston was a performer at the Sundance Music Café as part of the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, where Wristcutters: A Love Story had its world premiere.[3]

Johnston's composition I'm Leaving You was featured on the soundtrack to the 2013 film The Lone Ranger.[4]

His music has often been heard on the popular radio program This American Life and has been included on two of the show's greatest hits CDs.[5]

Johnston's first book, "The Saint I Ain't: Stories from Sycamore Street" was published by Fomite Press on February 9, 2021.[6] It is a collection of fictional short stories presented in a hybrid style of poetry and personal narrative.

Film scores

Feature films

Television

  • How and Why (2014 pilot)
  • Fear Itself (2008) TV Series (Episode "Eater")

Short films

  • Shopping Cart People (2022)
  • YO! An Introduction to the US Youth Observer at the UN (2013)
  • What Do We Have In Our Pockets? (2013)
  • Forward (2007)
  • We Are Phamaly (2003)
  • Boiler Maker (2003)

Soundtrack releases

Books

  • The Saint I Ain't: Stories from Sycamore Street (2021, Fomite Press)

References

  1. ^ ""Internet Movie Database: Bobby Johnston"".
  2. ^ ""Main Titles.net: City of Gold/Bobby Johnston"".
  3. ^ ""ASCAP: Past Sundance ASCAP Music Café Performers"".
  4. ^ ""Soundtrack.net: The Lone Ranger"".
  5. ^ ""This American Life: Music"".
  6. ^ ""Fomite Press: The Saint I Ain't"".
  7. ^ ""Treasured Films: King of the Ants"".
  8. ^ ""Burning Witches Records: Tales of Halloween"".