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BLAKE WROTE THIS 9/12 AFTER HEARING OF THE DEATH OF DANIEL JOHNSTON.
(Originally posted on his instagram page)
Yesterday: 9/11 is hard, always is. Re-living a cataclysmic tragedy I experienced... but hearing Daniel Johnston died on top of that really hit me like a sucker punch. I was born in Austin, Texas and grew up all over South Texas before moving back to Austin when I was 18. My first encounter with Daniel was on the campus near the Dobie Mall where I saw him playing his songs on the street I was probably in middle school? Then realized he made the Hi How Are You mural on the side of the Sound Exchange record store. Later I saw him play at parties and venues. After moving to New York one day I ran into him wandering on my block on Avenue B. I asked him if he was Daniel Johnston. “Yes I am” he said. He was hungry and I took him to the deli and got him a bite and a soda. We were hanging outside talking when a frantic M. Henry Jones came running down the street screaming don’t let him go! Don’t let him go! Apparently Daniel had wandered out of the studio when no one was looking...
In about 2003 I saw a great show at The Knitting Factory (in Manhattan on Leonard St) afterwards I was re-introduced to Daniel and enjoyed watching him swing dance with a with a particularly fond female fan. (I have a photo somewhere for proof) The photo of Daniel and me is at same show by Andrea Bucci. I was also invited to record covers for the “Discovered Covered” album. These turned out to be my band ALIENS first recordings in a real studio. (these didn’t make the cut when all the big names got involved) Once ALIENS played more and I was able to start the MISC. MUSIC label I was able to release Daniel’s band, Danny and The Nightmares song “Red Hot Sex” and play some songs with his band.
The last time I saw him was at an EMO’s show in Austin. He was drawing pictures and signing autographs for fans and having a smoke after playing a really good show. He was in a good mood. Later there was pizza in his hotel room and Daniel “cheated” and had half a soda - which he enjoyed. We had lots of laughs and not long before I left he said something about Kurt Cobain and “Teen Spit” as he pronounced it - as if on cue “Smells Like Teen Spirit” roared out of the radio. Everyone in the room freaked out!
I was hoping to see you again my friend. Thank you!
Rest In Peace
-Blake Sandberg
(Originally posted on his instagram page)
Yesterday: 9/11 is hard, always is. Re-living a cataclysmic tragedy I experienced... but hearing Daniel Johnston died on top of that really hit me like a sucker punch. I was born in Austin, Texas and grew up all over South Texas before moving back to Austin when I was 18. My first encounter with Daniel was on the campus near the Dobie Mall where I saw him playing his songs on the street I was probably in middle school? Then realized he made the Hi How Are You mural on the side of the Sound Exchange record store. Later I saw him play at parties and venues. After moving to New York one day I ran into him wandering on my block on Avenue B. I asked him if he was Daniel Johnston. “Yes I am” he said. He was hungry and I took him to the deli and got him a bite and a soda. We were hanging outside talking when a frantic M. Henry Jones came running down the street screaming don’t let him go! Don’t let him go! Apparently Daniel had wandered out of the studio when no one was looking...
In about 2003 I saw a great show at The Knitting Factory (in Manhattan on Leonard St) afterwards I was re-introduced to Daniel and enjoyed watching him swing dance with a with a particularly fond female fan. (I have a photo somewhere for proof) The photo of Daniel and me is at same show by Andrea Bucci. I was also invited to record covers for the “Discovered Covered” album. These turned out to be my band ALIENS first recordings in a real studio. (these didn’t make the cut when all the big names got involved) Once ALIENS played more and I was able to start the MISC. MUSIC label I was able to release Daniel’s band, Danny and The Nightmares song “Red Hot Sex” and play some songs with his band.
The last time I saw him was at an EMO’s show in Austin. He was drawing pictures and signing autographs for fans and having a smoke after playing a really good show. He was in a good mood. Later there was pizza in his hotel room and Daniel “cheated” and had half a soda - which he enjoyed. We had lots of laughs and not long before I left he said something about Kurt Cobain and “Teen Spit” as he pronounced it - as if on cue “Smells Like Teen Spirit” roared out of the radio. Everyone in the room freaked out!
I was hoping to see you again my friend. Thank you!
Rest In Peace
-Blake Sandberg
Daniel Johnston and Blake Sandberg
by Andrea Bucci
by Andrea Bucci
Daniel's Hi How Are You? mural, Austin, Texas