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Gary’s House

Leaning back with Garrett Johnson, oka Gary’s House; photographed by Jeremy Nischuk.

Celebrating the release of The Staircase of Wild Introspection from Montreal, Québec’s Gary’s House (oka Garrett J. Johnson, joined by Kate Howells, Kelsie Hjorleifson, René Wilson, Steff Schimeck, Jeremy Nischuk, Simone Blain, Matt Sharpe, Tara Desmond, Salina Ladha, Mamie Bell, Nathan Schmidt, Trevor Baird, Oliver Barnes & others we’re totally forgetting). Moving forward from the previous moniker Brazilian Money, Gary’s House is a celebration of the inclusive spirit where every song & sound is the sound of the greatest house party happening at where else but Gary’s House & you the listener & fan are duly invited.
The Staircase of Wild Introspection is one wild rager to remember. The excitement all starts on “(Entrance To The Staircase)” that is the sound of our hero walking & singing himself home to discover all his friends ready to rock out (that even includes considerations regarding keeping the volume down that is almost in vain as this party is just getting started). The sitting & strumming affair harmonizes along on “The Truth Comes Out”, followed by the rambunctious & infectious “Punch Party”, the it’s time to move on chorus of “The Past Does Not Confront Me”, deciphering fallacies on the shamble-core “The Stories Were All Lies”, the fuzz-fi anxiety antidote of “Don’t Panic”, the warm & earnest “She’s a New Woman” & fan favorite “You’re My Buddy (And I Love You)” that is guaranteed to add a smile to your day. Fundamentals of quintessential necessities are expressed on “I Don’t Need Much”, to the fist clenched expressions of passion & purpose with “I Chose This Way”, to the intimacy of “Long Distance ASMR Boyfriend” that sends out autonomous sensory meridian response frequencies in a stripped down guitar & vocal cut that then goes the full circle with the “Day in the Life” style curtain drop/curtain call of “. (Trying To Leave The Infinite Staircase of Wild Introspection)” that will leave you with plenty to be introspective about. Garrett J. Johnson introduced the album with the following exclusive preface/prologue piece:

This album was supposed to be me trying to write Jonathan Richman style songs during a tumultuous period in my life. I wanted to perform it dressed in sad clown make up. If we’re taking risks we all cycle through tumultuous periods, hopefully not always the same ones though, right? Introspection can be healthy but ultimately you ask who is this serving? and you have to live in an external world, because the staircase is infinite which means it doesn’t go any damn place. I made the album alone in a basement, but some of the best parts come from when other people came to help, or at least I got out of my head for a second.


Getting to know the Gary’s House gang; press photo courtesy of the artists.

The Staircase of Wild Introspection from Gary’s House is available now.