Calvin Johnson, Artist Profile by Shady Pines Media

In 2016 we interviewed K Records and Beat Happening founder Calvin Johnson at Dub Narcotic Studio, located at the time in a former synagogue in Olympia, WA. 3 years and many twists & turns later, we are very excited to finally share this short documentary with you.
Getting his start at KAOS Community Radio, Calvin formed K Records in the early 80’s. He started recording music on a shoestring budget in his basement in the early 90’s, calling it Dub Narcotic Studio. He recorded early works by the likes of Modest Mouse, Beck, Built to Spill, and countless more.
Calvin Johnson is a fascinating figure in music, and we had an incredible time meeting him and seeing his workspace firsthand. K Records and Dub Narcotic Studio have since moved out of the synagogue, but Calvin and ‪@krecs‬ are still active in Olympia today. www.krecs.com
Topic index:
00:15 - Dub Narcotic Studio intro
00:47 - Calvin Johnson / Selector Dub Narcotic
01:15 - Dub Narcotic Sound System house band / Sun Studio, Stax Records inspiration
01:46 - K Records & Dub Narcotic Studio origins / International Pop Underground
02:47 - Modified Ampex 4 track machine / Modest Mouse / Isaac Brock
03:37 - Basement studio / Tascam and Teac tape machines
04:00 - Beat Happening
04:38 - Recording Beck, "One Foot in the Grave"
06:39 - The Halo Benders / Doug Martsch
07:10 - Olympia, Washington environmental sequence
07:37 - Studio equipment / Capturing the performance
08:59 - KAOS Community Radio

[@PrecipitationAndCorderoy]

I met Calvin back in 2008 when he was doing a gig in a church in Liverpool, England. He was really friendly and approachable. As I walked into the venue I noticed him sitting casually selling his own merchandise. I approached him to have a conversation - we ended up talking about Kurt Cobain. He opened up the floor for questions from the audience and jokingly I asked him if he was going to play Stairway to Heaven. The music snobs balked but Calvin knew I was being silly and remembered my name and responded in a friendly manner. The other audience members didn't seem too pleased when I was laughing at Calvin's dancing. Calvin is obviously a very funny guy and wasn't bothered that I was being a drunken idiot. He was a gentleman.

[@curly_wyn]

Someone once told me that Calvin Johnson in Beat Happening sounds like Timmy Turner’s dad when singing, and wow. Great, now I’m never gonna UNhear it! Thanks a lot.

[@krullntherakrore742]

Calvin Johnson appears to be Bill Murray playing an indie musician. Awesome!

[@ChrisPuckett]

Love those 90s records

[@siddthekid5046]

Thanks for this, Shady Pines. And thank you Calvin for capturing the performances of so many great young artists and bringing them forth.

[@sn1ffy85]

Love this guys energy. Also, my first on paper boss...

[@GreenMonkeyRecords]

Essential.

[@BigSmallTravel]

Informative video and engaging as well. Thank you for posting.

[@BigSmallTravel]

We just passed through Olympia and referenced the importance of this scene, especially K records in our latest video.

[@BigSmallTravel]

Our latest video passing through Olympia: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGHad5ejd8Rgp7s

[@Zack29810]

who let Calvin outside dressed like this?

[@glueball9511]

dude has been himself and only himself his whole life, man lol u think hes gunna worry abt wearing a scarf?? lol this man is not insecure 😂 keep those feelings for yourself