Tyler James Johnson Releases Haunting New Duet “Where There’s Smoke There’s Fire”
Victoria-based guitarist and singer-songwriter Tyler James Johnson’s new single “Where There’s Smoke There’s Fire” is out now. Recorded alongside friend and collaborator Jennifer Croden, the searing duet continues the rollout of Johnson’s new EP Songs For Everyone, which dropped on August 31st.
“I was driving in my car one day and … Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around came on the radio,” Johnson recalls, “For some reason I was inspired and thought I really want to write a similar style duet song to this. Turns out not long after a close friend of mine was having relationship challenges, and it inspired the story behind this.”
On the track, Johnson & Croden spin a yarn about a woman who longed for adventure begging for a second chance from the man she left behind. Evocative of the great Americana male/female duet tradition, “Where There’s Smoke There’s Fire” is all at once heartfelt, bitter, and red-hot.
“[My friend] had fallen for this seemingly wonderful girl,” explains Johnson, “Turns out she would up and leave one day with no notice to travel the world. He was incredibly heart broken and struggled for months because of this. Time passes and he moves on and she returns and wants a relationship again … I was really frustrated for him.”
Johnson was first inspired to pick up the guitar after hearing his father’s record collection at the age of 12. Today, his repertoire spans many genres, including Folk, Rock, Blues, Country, Celtic, Traditional, and Pop. Over the years he has lent his talents to numerous artists and bands, assuming roles as both a frontman and a sideman. In 2022, he held the position of resident lounge musician at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Alberta. Presently, Johnson can be found performing throughout Victoria BC, both as part of the duo “Second Fiddle” and as a solo artist.
“I’ve been a cover musician for the past many years 4-5 years,” says Johnson. “I was playing in a lot of bands before I moved to Vancouver Island, mostly Classic Rock & Blues… I have never really considered myself a songwriter or really a true musician. More of a guy who just likes to play guitar.”
Despite his humility, his new EP Songs For Everyone is really just that. With his cool personal style and seasoned musical chops, Tyler James Johnson is sure to be one to watch.
Care to introduce yourself?
Hey! My name is Tyler Johnson. Im a musician based in Victoria, BC for the past 3 years. Previously I lived in Edmonton, AB, and spent many years playing and performing there in various projects as a frontman, sideman, and solo. My previous bands there were “The Introverts & The James Band”. Music and songwriting is my passion outside of work and I hope to keep releasing new material and performing as much as I can. Unless there are any international booking agents reading *wink wink, nudge nudge*. When I’m not working or doing music-related things, I spend my time with my wife Vincenza and dog Max usually by the ocean or out and about around Victoria enjoying the little things in life or grocery shopping.
Tell us about the process of writing and recording “Where’s There’s Smoke There’s Fire?”
This is a song that was inspired by Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks’s duet “Stop Dragging My Heart Around”. I really wanted to write a similar style duet song that was sung from both male and female perspectives, and I knew Jenn would be the perfect person to sing it with. This song was one of the two songs that was recorded by laying all the tracks down separately. The rest of the songs on the EP were recorded live off the floor. This song started with the title, as I find I have more success writing these days like that, rather than starting with the music. I find it’s much easier to imagine the tempo, whether it will be major or minor, etc like this. Also really helps with lyrical themes as well. Jenn did some lyrical edits and a few chord adjustments and the song really came together. I had written it about 5 years ago and it was sitting around collecting dust so Im really happy with how it turned out in the studio.
What’s it like being a musician in Victoria, BC?
Victoria is beautiful but can be a bit of a sleepy city at times. There’s not a huge original music scene because of a lack of venues. I believe because the cost of real estate is so high it is hard to open a smaller venue where opportunities for younger up-and-coming musicians have a chance to cut their teeth. Still, there are a lot of festivals on the Island and open mics and bars and restaurants that have music which is great. Vancouver is also a short trip where there are lots of opportunities to play.
Who was the first and most recent Canadian artist to blow you away?
I’d say Gordon Lightfoot would be the first. My parents would always play his music on road trips when I was young and I quickly fell in love with his music and have many of his timeless songs in my repertoire.
More recently I will say Alan Doyle and Great Big Sea. Their music I somehow missed growing up but I’ve really got into it in the past couple of years. Somewhere along the way a friend and I scored a regular gig at an Irish Bar in town. Not knowing much East Coast or Celtic music I quickly turned to Alan Doyle’s music to save me. I now know at least a dozen of his songs and I love the energy, style, and tradition the music is based on. It’s also extremely fun to play and sing.
You’ve been making music for a short time now, what’s one piece of advice you can offer to those starting out?
Play everywhere and anywhere! Even if an opportunity doesn’t seem like a promising venture you never know who is watching. I have played in so many places from busking on the streets to grocery stores, airports, farmers markets, bars & restaurants. To doing a month long residency gig at a fairmont hotel, that opportunity came because someone saw me performing in a grocery store and asked for my card. Good things will happen if you put yourself out there. Also, keep writing! Songs will come it just takes time, patience, and consistent work.