Accomplished singer/songwriter Drew Johnston hails from the misty Blue Mountains lying west of Sydney, Australia. Influenced by many great singer/songwriters such as Paul Kelly, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Finn and Shawn Mullins, Johnston tells musical stories of mystery, longing and journeys that hinge on an acoustic guitar/rhythm groove. Johnston’s love for singing and song writing began in the inspiring environment of Newcastle Art School, a creative hotspot that had already spawned great bands such as the Screaming Jets, followed by 20 years of performing his own songs at local pubs, clubs and festivals. During this time, Johnson also produced three albums with award-winning producer, songwriter and musician Rod McCormack, the most recent being Teahouse. “Prior to going into the studio to record Teahouse, I travelled to Japan,” says Johnston. “On my travels, I visited many Buddhist and Shinto shrines, lost too many drinking games with geisha and shared simple meals with locals at remote mountain-side villages. What I truly adored about my travels, however, was ‘sitting still’ in traditional Japanese tea houses. It’s in these beautiful little establishments that I finished writing the album’s lyrics and finalised its direction.” Teahouse is an upbeat, acoustic guitar driven folk/rock album featuring mostly songs with feel-good story lines and the occasional darker lyrical content. “The presence of acoustic guitar, mandolin, Papoose and banjo is paramount throughout the album,” says Johnston. “The acoustic instruments hinge strongly on the use of Eastern and Western percussion, drums and loops. In my humble opinion, the varied and layered electric guitar work producer Rod McCormack laid down gives the album strength. Teahouse is an honest attempt at offering different soundscapes that I hope the listener thoroughly enjoys.”