Will Johnson

Will Johnson (born March 23, 1971) is an American musician, singer-songwriter, author, and painter who is the lead singer of the bands Centro-matic and South San Gabriel. Called "one of the most prolific artists in American indie rock" by AllMusic, Johnson has also released solo records and is a member of the bands Monsters of Folk, New Multitudes, and Overseas, and he has performed as part of the Undertow Orchestra. He is currently a member of Jason Isbell's band, the 400 Unit.

Early life Johnson was born in Kennett, Missouri. When he was 11 years old, his mother remarried, and the family moved to Killeen, Texas. As of 2014, the group had released 11 studio albums, and they announced their breakup that year.

South San Gabriel With his Centro-Matic bandmates, Johnson formed South San Gabriel in 2001, and their lineup also includes a rotation of guests. Their first album, Songs/Music, was credited to Centro-Matic on its US release and to South San Gabriel in the Netherlands.

South San Gabriel released Welcome, Convalescence and The Carlton Chronicles – Not Until the Operation's Through in 2003 and 2005, respectively.

In 2008, the band issued Dual Hawks, a split double-album with Centro-Matic.

Molina and Johnson In 2009, Johnson collaborated with the songwriter Jason Molina on the album Molina and Johnson. They recorded the album over a week and a half in early 2008.

Undertow Orchestra Johnson has performed as part of the Undertow Orchestra with David Bazan, Vic Chesnutt, and Mark Eitzel. Johnson first met Chestnutt in 1999 in Dallas. Chesnutt was a fan of Eitzel's music, and the two were longtime friends.

New Multitudes From 2009 to 2012, Johnson collaborated with Jay Farrar, Jim James, and Anders Parker on the Woody Guthrie archive project New Multitudes, which involved the four songwriters setting music to Guthrie's unrecorded lyrics. A tribute album was released in 2012, with a short US tour following.

Overseas Johnson formed the band Overseas in 2009 with David Bazan and Matt and Bubba Kadane. An eponymous album was released in 2013.

The 400 Unit In 2023, Johnson joined Jason Isbell's backing band, the 400 Unit.

Writing Johnson has authored a novel, If or When I Call, which was published by Goliad Media in 2021.

Painting Since 2008, Johnson has produced folk art paintings, mostly centering on the subject of baseball and its history. Commissions from friends eventually led to his work being exhibited in group and solo art shows. Swan City Vampires (2015) Hatteras Night, a Good Luck Charm (2017) Wire Mountain (2019) El Capitan (2020) No Ordinary Crown (2023) Diamond City (2025)

Live album Survey/Voyage (2005)

EPs SCIV001 (2005) Little Raider (2011) Sleuthed/Full Cuts (2024)

Singles "The Riot Jack / I Did a Terrible Thing" (2004), with the Paper Chase "Blackest Sparrow / Darkest Night" (2007) "Inclined / Moccasin Bones" (2016), with Justin Peter Kinkel-Schuster "Patient, Patient Man / Uinta" (2017)

Collaborations Molina and Johnson (2009), with Jason Molina New Multitudes (2012), with Jay Farrar, Anders Parker, and Yim Yames Overseas: Overseas (2013) Marie/Lepanto: Tenkiller (2018) Marie/Lepanto: Gulf Collide (2021) Marie/Lepanto: The Fix Is On (2022)

with Centro-Matic

Redo the Stacks (1996) Navigational (1999) The Static vs. the Strings Vol. 1 (1999) All the Falsest Hearts Can Try (1999) South San Gabriel Songs/Music (2000) Distance and Clime (2001) Love You Just the Same (2003) Fort Recovery (2006) Dual Hawks split double album with South San Gabriel (2008) Candidate Waltz (2011) Take Pride in Your Long Odds (2014)

with South San Gabriel

Songs/Music (2000) Welcome, Convalescence (2003) The Carlton Chronicles – Not Until the Operation's Through (2005) Dual Hawks split double album with Centro-Matic (2008)