Johnny Fury may be drawn to creamy white Stratocasters and flashy flying Vs, but no matter what kind of guitar lands in his hands, the Austin bluesman always makes it sing. Add in his vocal and songwriting skills, and he’s a triple-threat talent.
On Johnny Fury II, the follow-up to his self-titled 2014 debut, Fury shows his prowess in soul and rock as well as blues and jazz, with a smooth, well-nuanced tenor capable of delivering splintering blues and affecting ballads with equal finesse. He’s already impressed industry judges; Fury was a finalist in the 2014 Jimi Hendrix Guitar Competition and a 2016 semi-finalist in the New York-based International Songwriting Competition. The latter nod came for “Without Me,” which appears on Johnny Fury II. It’s one of seven originals on the nine-track album; his well-chosen covers are Marvin Gaye’s “Mercy Mercy Me (the Ecology),” to which he added verses to further update that still-urgent environmental alert, and “All of Your Love,” by Chicago bluesman Samuel “Magic Sam” Maghett.
Not only has Fury carefully studied those who came before him; he also emulated their recording methods for this album. At Yellow Dog Studios in Wimberley, Texas, outside of Austin, Fury, who produced, recorded to old-school analog tape, which was transferred to computer for editing.
“The best of both worlds!” he says.
The same could be said of his music. Combining blues traditions with his fresh outlook, Fury creates music that could easily take its place alongside his heroes. And someday, it very likely will.
The man who never stops moving. Hailing from the midwest and currently calling Austin, TX home, Donovan Keith is best known for his classic soul vocals and infectious showmanship that has won over audiences time and time again. Donovan moved to Austin in 2009 and cut his teeth in the Texas music scene in gritty, low-ceiling dive bars with his first project, Soul Track Mind. STM was embraced by the community and Donovan’s one-of-a-kind, dance-infused stage show became beloved by fans and acknowledged by reviewers across the country, earning kudos from the likes of Performer Magazine which declared, “Aside from showcasing an impressive vocal range and blues-soaked sound, Keith can engage an audience with his unbridled enthusiasm and dance moves.”
Donovan’s uniquely vintage style combining soul, funk, and rock blends well with a variety of musical genres and his universal appeal has seen him open for acts such as Enrique Iglesias, Tower Of Power, the late Charles Bradley, Fastball, Snarky Puppy, and Erykah Badu. Career highlights have included official selections at SXSW, the attainment of the Louisiana Music Prize, and appearances at Wakarusa Music Festival, Utopia Festival, and Viva Big Bend.
Recently Donovan has been making a name for himself as a solo artist in Austin, having been nominated as a notable emerging artist by Black Fret in 2018 and regularly commanding stages around Texas. Donovan is passionate about confronting and overcoming human disconnection in modern society, asking his listener to consider their role as well as what they can do to bring about change. This is showcased in his powerful 2020 single, “Down Low”, the first of numerous new tracks to be included on his upcoming debut solo album, dropping in early 2022.