Michael Johns Rock The Rabbit, Playboy Interview!
March 9, 2009
Michael’s “Rock The Rabbit” Playboy Interview…
Also, they’ve posted an updated version of “Fire” there too. It’s awesome!
(Thanks Pamela) (Remember this is Playboy Magazine, Enter at your own Risk 
For a certain subset of music fans—and you know who you are—Michael Johns is instantly recognizable. He was one of the most popular American Idol contestants during season seven whose “Bohemian Rhapsody” wowed judges. But Johns is no high school musical reject. Prior to auditioning for Idol, he already had record deals as part of several indie bands. One of those deals, with a band called the Rising, was with Madonna’s Maverick label. So when he crashed out of Idol, it was a beginning, not an end. He suddenly had another shot at pursuing his music career and a new crop of fans and potential backers. He scored a documentary on the flying tomato and wrote songs with household name stars while working on his soon-to-be-released solo record—a blue-eyed soul album championing his love of artists like the Faces, Paul Weller and Joe Cocker.
PLAYBOY: You’ve had several music careers at this point, with three different deals for various bands you were in and then, most recently, American Idol. Your will to make it as a musician must be strong. Where does that resolve come from—was there a moment you realized you wanted to do this?
JOHNS: Yes, I was driving down the freeway when I was 15 and Pearl Jam’s song “Daughter” came on. I don’t know what it was about that song, but I just sung it over and over. The feeling it gave me made me say, “I have to do this for life.” I started a band a few months later.PLAYBOY: As a singer, there must be people you emulate—and you don’t sound like Eddie Vedder.
JOHNS: I pinched little things here and there. I think all singers do. Eventually you find your own voice. Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart, Jim Morrison, Michael Hutchence and Neil Finn are probably the people who shaped me the most.PLAYBOY: Are there artists whose styles affected the way you wish to present yourself?
JOHNS: I always love the visual aspect of what Daft Punk and Gnarls Barkley do. Sophie Mueller makes stunning music videos. I love Scott Weiland and Tom Petty’s style. U2’s live show is always cutting edge too. And—I have to say—seeing Michael Jackson in Perth, Australia in 1996 blew me away. I wasn’t the biggest Jackson fan, but after seeing him live I was converted. I don’t think we’ll ever have a mega mega superstar like that again. All of it—the dancing, the voice, his presence—it was overwhelming.PLAYBOY: Indie kids might be a bit skeptical about American Idol, but in your case it seems to have been a lifeline—and a help, not a hindrance, to your own indie dreams.
JOHNS: I have had three deals before, and in each case the label folded or the person who handled us got fired before my records could come out. I was very lucky that American Idol was there. It has reopened doors that had been shut. I have another chance at my career. I mean, there is no way to reach a bigger audience than Idol. I was walking in NYC the other day on a Monday morning and saw all these people going to work at a desk somewhere. I just thought, Holy crap! It blew my mind that I had this new chance to continue to avoid that kind of life.PLAYBOY: That’s certainly one way to gauge success—still being able to do what you want. What about other benchmarks?
JOHNS: One of my goals—and I’m still waiting to achieve it—is being in a full movie theater and having one of my songs played during the most important scene of the film. Fast song, ballad, it doesn’t matter to me—everything sounds better in a theater.PLAYBOY: Tell us about your concept for the T-shirt design.
JOHNS: When I was asked to design a T-shirt an image came into my head straight away. I thought, How cool it would be to have the outline of the bunny over and over again like a maze—all leading into a heart at the center? It’s something I would want to wear.
Posted in Articles, Interviews
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finally some mj news!! yay!! i loved the interview. and haha at the part about working at a desk somewhere. michael is too cool for that. he was definitely born to song and entertain.:)
i also love fireeee. i got firee. shot up in my bones. i loved the old arrangement but this one is gooooood too. i especially love the intro. yea!!!!!
and i cant wait to buy the shirt.
I hope the same for you MJ, to be sitting in a movie theatre and have one of your songs come on at the most important scene. That will be the coolest moment ever! I wish you so much success with your soon to be released single/album. We are all here for you!!! Your fans stick by you!!!! Love the design. I have to go get me a new t-shirt at Bloomies!
Very very Nice..Interview, Art work, “FIRE”( intro freaking HOT!!)..Our Boy is so talented!! Can’t wait for the single and to get that t-shirt..OMG I better buy Two!! or Three..hee!
I loved this interview!!!! I hope MJ will see his dream of having a song in a very important scene of a movie!!!! I think it will come true!!!!
I loved the part…a certain subset of music fans…that’s us…and you are instantly recognizable ..always!!
What fantastic publicity this interview was…and I am soo getting a t-shirt!!! I love your design!
Thank-you Michael!!!
Jane
xo
Great interview! Great shirt design! And WOW!! I LOVE that arrangement of “Fire”! Would love to see you perform that live! It really livened up my Monday afternoon! You and your music continue to bring me JOY!!
Terrific interview!
Love the logo design, love the new version of “Fire,” and love him!
holy sh*t is that a new version of Fire?? cause I like it
OMG, I am loving FIRE! Can you say sexaayyyy???
Great Interview! About time they put it up.
Awesome interview MJ!!!! The new version of Fire is FANTASTIC!!!! I love that song!!!!
Your design’s the best MJ!!! Can’t wait to buy a shirt!!!
super awesome interview! “Fire” is amazing…. love the new version. I loved when MJ was talking about his influences.. and then when he was describing where he came up with the idea of the shirt. I really do hope we get to hear MJ’s music in a film one day!
If Michael has music in a movie, I hope it’s a good one, ’cause I will be watching that movie a lot!!!
Love the design!
Michael, you are not the only one who is relieved and grateful you are not deskbound somewhere.That would be such a big waste of your talent. Thank goodness for your persistence and resilience!! While waiting for your music to be featured in a movie someday…”It can happen” I’d like to see a choreographer use “Fire” in a So You Think You Can Dance or some other dancing show piece. This is a great funky rockin’ version and could be a showstopper.
I love everything….the interview, the design, and this version of Fire…it’s hawt!!
I love MJ for loving Paul Weller. Among other things!
MJ! I miss you! lol.
BTW, the interview was awesome and great bunny artwork! OH! I always looove your song, FIRE! It was your opening song at your Greenbelt-Phils. concert and you were on fire when you did that song! It will be included in the new album, right? Can’t WAIT!!!!!
I love the T-shirt design, Michael. It’s so you. It’s proof that you put your heart in everything you do. xoxoxo
Wow, that was a good interview. I am so excited there wasn’t a big focus on idol but instead his future. So does this mean “Fire” is on the album?!
Love the interview MJ.. You were definitely born to entertain! “Fire” is HOT! You are on “FIRE”!
Can’t wait for the CD..
wow, like the new beat in the beginning of “fire”. my favorite part in the song is when he says I got lightning in my viens and thunder in my soul.
Michael, From the first time i heard on Idol I knew you were goning places & very be places. It brook myheat when you you didn’t continue. I couldn’t help but cry. However, I knew in my gut that you you were not done. I would vote for you during the full 2hr time after Idol to make amke sure you had all my votes. But by the second day of my sadness, when you left, I again realize that you were not not done. I just knew you the music world would go after you, & they it. I am partial to Aussie’s because my partner was an Aussie. You Aussie guys are by far the greatest. the universe made you all beyond special, & look how special you are. i live in New York & I am a registered nurse here, & I can’t tell you how many of we New Yorkers just love you. Beside sides your music it is quite evident you are 1 hell of human being. My wish is to be able to sit in the row of you very concert 1 day. i do my best to follow your website & catch you on T.V. when ever i can. i have all your tee shirts. I am so taken by your music, kindness, humbleness, & your humanist. You are truly a good man with a good heart & spirit. I wish you continued success. Joe from Brooklyn, N.Y.