Daniel Johnston - Studio SX 2009 Interview | Music | SXSW

Artist [TEXAS] Daniel Johnston at SXSW Interviewed by Jason Gross, Perfect Sound Forever

[@rebekahb7976]

That Kurt Cobain joke was hilarious! The interviewer and the crowd suck, but Daniel delivers!

[@cyclops9405]

The interviewer sound like a suicidal dad

[@opaljk4835]

People don’t really let him joke around

[@Kalle72]

Daniel Johnston really delivers in this interview! He's funny and totally coherent! I wish the interviewer would have performed better. Every time Johnston goes out on a tangent with an answer, there are no relevant follow-up questions. He just returns to his pre-written questions with no connection to the conversation. But anyway.. This was good.

[@thomasking4791]

Kalle72 Well said.

[@tjnugent62]

I like his honesty. There is no vail with him.

[@4IndieForever]

Daniel "my life is a long road to my death" interviewer "ok"

[@shaetullmusic]

either way you look at it, you can't deny the truth in that statement

[@MadflowsA]

"yeah"

[@andychrist5142]

dude its always like that man nothing ever changes

[@snicker576]

Interviewer gets on my nerves

[@johnfair62]

I was one of his friends when we were teenagers. We did make him feel special because he was to us. I still have the tape he made for me. Danny we called him. I would play my guitar along with his music. I have been humming his songs all my life. I knew the words before the world did. To know him then and see him now hurts me. I wish he didn't suffer like he did. I am happy for his success but sad for the cost of it.

[@denisvalentin7728]

Are you still in contact with Danny?

[@nyxgoesmeow]

If you have that tape, you should upload it assuming it’s something unheard

[@casketclubrecords]

​@@nyxgoesmeow He's on some other Daniel Johnston videos telling a similar story. Everyone wants that tape ,probably even more so considering Daniel made lots and lots of unique tapes, unique recordings of his songs, because as I understand to make a hundred copies of a tape he would just record it a hundred times (I couldbe wrong on this though). John, if you're still alive and active, please find away to rip that tape and post it to your channel. I'm sure fans would be delighted

[@nyxgoesmeow]

Casket Club Records Yea, from what I heard he’d just record over and over again, so no two sounded exactly alike. Plus, from what I remember, there’s some backlog of thousands of unreleased tapes of his songs

[@thomasmiller9205]

Glad he had you and the crew so he could reflect on those good times, you know? It’s never simple to see suffering, but to the high points we can be happy.

[@VEIN_UK]

"I feel like a monkey in a zoo in this place" a perfect analogy for Daniel's experience in life. He reveals an alarming amount with such a light hearted tone that it's difficult to really appreciate the weight of what he's saying. I wish the best for this man, always.

[@eonz8]

Such a brilliant sentence

[@WHOAM1894]

DJ is surprising really intelligent, self-aware, and incisive in this interview. I always took him as being an insane outsider figure, but this interview proves he actually had a really good head on his shoulders.

[@johnnymeyer4253]

all true artists feel like a monkey in a zoo...

[@-chrisburke]

We'll miss you Uncle Dan. Rest in Peace 🙏🏻

[@jeff7764]

Chris Burke oh wow! You’re Daniel Johnston’s nephew, how cool

[@lewisb9226]

4 minutes into this and if the interviewer responds to Daniel with one more catatonic "ok" or "uh huh" I'm going to reach through the screen and throttle him. Baffled by people saying Daniel is a "tough interviewee". He's a wonderful interviewee

[@matth5496]

His laugh makes me smile every time. I wanna walk up to him and ask "Hi How Are You?"

[@dashk.377]

Ha I see what you did there 😉👌

[@bmc825321]

"when he died he insisted on being buried in the shirt...im kidding.......sorry" ahhh daniel you're the greatest

[@personalidadestercermundis7679]

Daniel looks exceptionally at peace in this interview, it is charming and soothing to listen to him talk about his own world.

[@chadrussell70]

Can someone please send the interviewer a personality?

[@shaundaross123]

its horrible. he has no soothing skills. He just said he felt like a monkey in a zoo...what about acknowledging it and trying to make him more comfortable. If he had more kindness around him....we are too cold and hard and we do it all without realizing.

[@jcc2917]

"And then I found a suitcase with 10 million dollars in it, and a old parchment with the secrets of the universe contained therein." Interviewer: "Ok, uh-huh..."

[@abrahamismaelvillarroelpur1590]

this joke its so daniel style, i really got laugh hahahahahah. thanks bro

[@jcc2917]

@@abrahamismaelvillarroelpur1590 no problem pal :)

[@lahaza6515]

When I first saw your comment I thought "oh that's kind of a dick thing to say" and then I watched the interview... Wow. It's like when you call a business where they have a phone person answering the call & they answer with "hello" in a flat, annoyed tone vs introducing the company name. Then when you ask if you've reached the business you were seeking; they reply as if you've asked something stupid, like it should have been evident merely by the number dialed. When you hang up all you can think is "why the f--k did they hire THAT person to answer the phone & make a first impression?! One has to wonder why this guy chose interviewing musicians vs making rotisserie hardware in a factory.

[@kinoentertainment2060]

Sure he's shaky af ( probably a side affect of his medication) buts besides that he's totally coherent, funny and engaging, I feel like the people saying its sad too see what he's become are kind of hypocrites in a way as they can't see past the outside appearance and appreciate the man and how well he's actually done for himself on all levels.

[@nicoleeyeart3584]

I could not agree more

[@uhohcloseone]

Yeah, my uncle has schizophrenia, and Daniel reminds me a ton of him. Same shakes, same facial expressions. It's crazy how similar they are really. Must be on the same meds.

[@BiaginiNick]

"My friends made me feel l was famous" wow that's heavy

[@coelhocointech9841]

Loved it

[@cochroach10]

I love this man! I wish I wasn't just now finding him:(

[@coltonc8562]

Logan Cochran better late than never, he’s one of the best

[@UnfamiliarPlace]

Daniel is actually saying some of the most sane, confident, joking, and reasonable stuff he's said in years (despite the other guy's disinterest). It's one thing to create brilliant music, but to hear the musician talk INTELLIGENTLY is compelling and satisfies the other half of me. Good line: "My songs are kind of weird," he admits. And we all know they're not "normal", and of course we also know they're great, and it's great to have him acknowledge it and be okay with it as his saner fans are.

[@aidandaniels4963]

i don't like when an interviewer doesn't get engaged or interested in the answers they get. "uh" "ok" long live danny johnston

[@vllnrm]

"aha... okey... aha... aha... really... okey... yea... aha... right..."

[@linusallen9108]

That interviewer is completely apathetic making for a bad interview

[@dextrodemon]

ikr, only talks about products

[@SpAzMaTiCJ]

He's annoying the shit out of me I completely agree

[@rugbywindow]

He seems like a cop doing a police interrogation for a minor crime.

[@banzaisdead]

X G he’s correct though

[@laaaarwood]

what a wonderful man, pure and kind, he was a complete legend

[@MoralistaDefinitivo]

That Kurt Cobain joke was amazing.

[@kinetikx]

Alberto Gutierrez No, the joke was solid. It was delivered awkwardly, sure. But Daniel does awkward brilliantly. And not by design- it all comes from a genuine place. He clearly knows how much Kurt liked his music. Secondly, he's not a "poor little guy". The fact that you refer to him in the diminutive takes away from the fact that he is in relative control of his faculties and he can take a shot at one of the biggest musicians of the 90's in a fun way. And as an equal. (edited, obviously)

[@aaronhazlett]

it kicked my ass. He caught me off guard. I was like "he did what?"

[@EASFromTheWest]

@@kinetikx Daniels just not neurotypical do anything that isn’t neurotypical is seen as awkward. it wasn’t a cliche joke that’s it. there’s nothing more than that, he’s just an individual who thinks for himself. but in this day and age that is seen as “awkward”

[@newforestpixie5297]

@@EASFromTheWest Thankyou for teaching this “ eccentric “ Plumber the term “ Neurotypical “ . In Britain prerhaps they actually gave us oddballs a break in days gone by when folks whom didn’t fit - in were labelled “ eccentric “ - although that usually applied to ‘ successful ‘ people whom were popular or tolerated by their communities ..” an English Eccentric “ was a term of endearment whereas from what I see in the mainstream, we’re regarded as “ freaks “ or “ misfits “ in spite of the “ diversity “ which is supposed to be so civilising but merely a get out clause to help folk believe they’re So much Nicer nowadays 🙄

[@theycallmesnowplow]

@Carl Panzram it’s more of a sarcastic dry humor “joke”. Not much to get, just bullshittin around.

[@blipblip88]

and the "Award for Least Dynamic Interviewer" goes to....

[@adrianjohnson2287]

Daniel Johnston just passed away this morning. Rest well my friend.

[@Azwel]

Interviewer sounds like a psychologist. ..either that or someone conducting an interrogation

[@nationofnoone846]

Lol my psychologist has way more personality then this dope.

[@lokidude100]

@@nationofnoone846 even homicide detectives try to establish a connection lol

[@enabler2456]

More like an engineer lol

[@FanzReviews]

Dude is a legend. It's good to see he is acting so well. I don't think the interviewer realizes how important it is that Daniel is acting as well as he is here.

[@08Adele]

"and when he died he insisted to be buried in the shirt.. hee hee.. nah im kidding....**akward silence*..... im...sorryy"

[@thunder_heads]

Poor danny

[@cochroach10]

I laughed!

[@WhiskeyDrifter]

Gave me a good laugh

[@lenalennon8746]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIOVYZWugsihnZY

[@whitiscool1]

that kurt cobain joke was hilarious, why didn't anybody laugh? lame

[@ipsurvivor]

Omar Little - I’m still laughing 😂... well I still have tears in my eyes from laughing... afterglow... Hero worship possibly... like people need someone to tell them it’s ok to laugh at tasteless jokes... but normal propriety shackles them... the joke was awesome and delivered perfectly. I actually believed him at first.. now I’m laughing again...

[@johnnymao]

@@ipsurvivor What I love about it is that you can almost feel the audience's bum-holes clench a bit with the dead-pan delivery as if they were witnessing a DJ fantasy ... only for Daniel to let them off the hook with his perfectly timed and delivered "I'm kidding".

[@Mitchellgonzalezofficial]

His humor is too profound for most people. This guys a fucking legend.

[@jade10313]

@@Mitchellgonzalezofficial miss him :(

[@lenalennon8746]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIOVYZWugsihnZY

[@MothsInALampshade]

So much love for Daniel. I hope the crowd at SXSW and here watching his words and wisdom affirm his vast impact on music and the people who have been impacted by him, myself included obviously.

[@fugamante]

Unforgettable, irreplaceable. RIP, purest soul.

[@TerminalTelevision]

would it kill the interviewer to laugh at one of daniel's jokes?

[@EASFromTheWest]

yes

[@snicker576]

Apparently so. Dude's a piece of stale white bread

[@scienceannistyle7070]

RIP Daniel. You were such a gift to this world💙

[@eclectisetknows1711]

"My life is like a road with no turn-off, I'm heading down that road to my own death..." R.I.P. Daniel Johnston, we didn't deserve you.

[@whoopshey826]

We love you Danny. Thank you for the most important music in my life. Rest Easy

[@pongrocks12]

It seems like everyone thinks because he is bipolar he's unintelligent. that's not the case my friends

[@drfunk1986]

I get that vibe too, and people misspeaking about things. The guy he brought up first mentioned he liked the younger Daniel better like right in front of him, but maybe Daniel himself is laid back enough to not take offense to those kinds of statements. Maybe he just understands people misspeak sometimes.

[@k-dogg711]

Yeah it definitely upsets me to see so many people treat him as a manic depressive, instead of a person. A terribly troubled person, but at the end of the day he was just like us. That’s what made him special.

[@EASFromTheWest]

@@k-dogg711 if he were special he wouldn’t be just like us. then what’s the specialty? manic depressives are people and it sounds like you’re saying they aren’t. please rephrase yourself

[@EASFromTheWest]

who assumes this though? everyone either thinks daniels music sucks or that he’s a genius, but nobody ever says or thinks that he’s unintelligent. i’m not sure who you’re talking to but i’ve only heard those two comparisons.

[@k-dogg711]

@@EASFromTheWest My comment isn’t meant to be literal. When I say “people treat him as a manic depressive instead of a person” I mean that many people do not treat him with the same level of respect, kindness, and love that a mentally “stable” person would receive, instead they look at him as someone “lesser”. As for what makes him special, what I mean is that despite his troubles he was still able to convey a sense of relatability in his music, I’d argue even better than some of the greats. Not everything you read is literal, does that make sense?

[@jasonlitherland4270]

my friends used to make me feel famous too. man. weird how you never get over that.

[@IdRatherbeDeaddd]

don't think anybody loves the beatles more than daniel johnston.

[@alexclarke6579]

What a beautiful soul! ❤️

[@MrGarage]

I love daniel's honesty...towards every aspect of his life

[@stevefaure415]

For a fellow who no doubt had hell-hounds on his trail, Dan always brings a smile. A lot of joy in that laugh of his.

[@jamiefougere5957]

why is THIS guy interviewing him? He's obviously uncomfortable / doesnt care about Daniel. why? Truly terrible. I want to slap that hat off his head. but really God bless this interviewer I hope he finds a job he likes and is good at.

[@coffeyeoin5]

Jamie Fougere Come on dude, he did fine. Daniel is a tough interview, or at least can seem like on to an interviewer.

[@TheMrnerdynerdnerd]

jeb tweebance He's really not too tough of an interviewee. Answers questions pretty straightforward, gives examples, tell stories, and tells jokes. All whilst being as humble as it gets, this interview should've felt like a day off for the interviewer.

[@Justcarlosdiaz]

Seriouslyy. Who gave this man a job?? He's complete shit

[@sclerismockrey8506]

@@coffeyeoin5 sure he did fine: huh, kay, uh-huh, mm-hmm, okay, yeah, right, jesus pal the interviewer couldn't have been less interested or interesting.

[@iknowwhereiam178]

LMAO "when john lennon died"

[@jonathannadeau6218]

ralph I wonder if that was another joke lost on the public.

[@mariomantero5531]

@@jonathannadeau6218 It sure was !

[@GusParker-mk5cc]

@@mariomantero5531 I reckon Dan was trying to say something without saying it there....

[@StanislavIlev]

this is guy is quite normal, pretty adequate and funny! And all my favourite musicians adore him! This interview is absolutely cool!

[@TheHauntedFarm]

The part where he talks about college is... really sad. I love this man.

[@AndresFnt]

i would love some daniel johnston cartoons on a pair of converse. lemme know if they ever come out!

[@paulmarsh9544]

What a lovable person he was...I would have been honored to have him as a friend

[@iowafilmdude22]

This interviewer is hilarious... just look at him. But i love Daniel, deserves all the good that could be received on this Earth.

[@Dreadmore]

is the interviewer on prozac

[@mikogale]

i have an undying love for daniel johnston, one of the greatests artists ever

[@stevemckenna9667]

a piece of plywood interviews a genius

[@sclerismockrey8506]

no kidding, i almost had to stop watching.

[@johnfair62]

I was one of his friends.When we were kids we used to hang out together.He stayed all night at my house and I stayed at his house.I played the guitar he played the piano.He was a great friend to me.I have a cassette tape he made for me and case with his drawings on it.I joined the service and lost touch with him.Later in life I heard of his cult following.I went to a music store and got his cd It was the same music we played in the basement at his parents house.He made us feel famous too.

[@grapevinegrave]

John Fair really sad that people have to make fake comments like this for attention.

[@johnfair62]

Not fake. Ask Danny if he knows me and he will say yes. If I was a creep I would sell the cassette he made for me . I was one of the friends he was talking about.

[@johnfair62]

Enzo Ferrari Seriously, you need help. I was friends with him when we were teenagers.

[@aaronhazlett]

super cool.

[@denisvalentin7728]

Hey man I've seen you alot in the comments of Dans videos. Have you ever tried getting in touch with him?

[@changolocoblanco]

Still waiting for "Jaws Vs. ET"... LOL, classic image, thanks Daniel.

[@chalkmaze]

So many new and exciting things happening with Dan... Looking forward to the new album coming out in October!

[@brandonriddett1501]

Is it stupid, that I’m still crying over Daniel’s death?’ Thank you Dan for your art and music, I wear my “ HI HOW ARE YOU” T-shirt with pride and in your memory

[@mattrobert5]

He's so with it in this interview it's amazing. Shame about the interviewer.

[@bp5082]

Such a sweet man.

[@tiak8830]

I hate this interviewer! I'm sure he made Daniel feel uncomfortable

[@MrAndyPee]

Kaitlyn Hailey deffo

[@hahnkf8111]

All he can do is say “okay” like he just pulled him over and asked if he knew how fast he was going.

[@skylarfoxx2811]

That was the first thing I noticed he said something and the guy seemed uninterested you could see him try to hide

[@shaundaross123]

this interviewer is triggering me for Daniel. Damn vulture...determined to power thru and get his street cred as a journalist by forcing negative conversation and possibly causing Daniel discomfort. He didn't really care...he was in his agenda. we all are in our agendas...even if we don't realize it. Daniel was a genius.

[@nicolewilliams3144]

It really sucks because you can tell Daniel's dealt with guys like this before, from the way he's handling the interviewer's bad attitude.

[@interface4798]

did the movie they are talking about ever release? i’ve heard so much about it but i can’t find anything about it

[@SubterraneanMind]

I'll always love Daniel. One of the best songwriters of my generation. And I liked the Cobain joke. Cobain was wearing a Half Japanese shirt when he died, kinda fitting. Jad Fair and all.

[@agustinamansur5665]

Daniel's laugh is sooo sweet 😙😇❤

[@brandonthorpe9905]

Dan seems to be doing well, but yeah, what about a shitty interviewer. If I was seated next to a legend and had a few minutes to ask some questions, I would be grateful, even if I wasn't a fan of theirs.

[@tuodekab]

when john lennon died?

[@asaelperez188]

December 8 1980

[@leonardocarneiro9520]

He died when he was shot

[@citizenjoe1]

I agree. Jason Gross has all the charm and grace of a turnip. This was like watching the guy from 711 (not the one at the register, but the one who sweeps up because he's stupid) asking a truck driver to tell about his trip from Fresno.

[@just4joebob]

"Yeah, ahuh, okay, I don't know how to respectably hold an interview with someone, yeah, ahuh, okay...."- Jason Gross. :^D

[@blackie75]

@clayjammusic everyone is entitled to their opinion, but, listen to some of his early albums and there's no doubting he is a creative superpower. genius is only a label placed on him by others but saying he can "express his feelings" is really trivializing his talent, his body of work is as, or more impressive than a lot of other folk artists that have been placed in the same category

[@spetruck1]

How NOT to interview an artist😂 ....whoosh... good for DJ for being able to continue

[@EGuyMaes]

where did they get this interviewer? Task Rabbit?

[@HerenowGoneforever]

He could literally say anything and we'd be like "yes!" Love him.

[@eonz8]

Such an honest humble soul

[@hugeyboss]

i laughed at the Kurt Cobain joke...

[@lynnstarwalt5496]

jack mulvey Sad.

[@elflaco6654]

Interviewer is "LAME"... What a "DUD"

[@bigsteve5372]

This Man Loves SODA POP !!!!!!

[@whoopshey826]

We love you Daniel. Rest in Peace.

[@mattandhisguitar]

I think I'm starting to get why everyone think's he's brilliant. He really does get it.

[@riverromeo2416]

fucking stellar. long live the king

[@juanpablonahabedian9073]

Worst interviewer ever, tho

[@Webbula]

I love people who aren't supposed to be famous.

[@GoochSushi]

People seem to let their love for Daniel Johnston turn into hate towards the interviewer? I would go easy on the guy. Interviewing someone with a severe condition like Daniel´s is not easy. Even with all of the strongest meds in the bloodstream, people with these kind of mental problems are sometimes VERY hard to read and communicate with. Maybe the interviewer got insecure and uneasy when faced with Johnston´s persona? There is enough hate in the world to go around, embrace the love instead...

[@ryxarchive6713]

any body know the name and address of the interviewer?

[@nathancarter6017]

This interviewer is the worst... "Yup... Ok... MmmmHmmm..." Like a robot.

[@onlinegal]

I just met Mr. Johnston on the Drag in Austin. He's in town to play ACL Fest. He was doing a photo shoot next to his mural there in promotion of the new Hi How Are You? game for iPhone.

[@Catsmeowback]

"when John Lennon died?"

[@jhartist123]

The interview didn't suck to me because eventhough I'm a female, I'm in the same state Daniel is in. The world really bares down on some of us and it's usually those of us who can see the depth of things and it makes you, I don't have the right word!

[@MrLarryhoover425]

I'd love to hear him speak, shame people are all talking

[@violetbowie4567]

daniel has the best laugh

[@ipsurvivor]

I’m laughing my ass off from his tasteless joke about Kurt Cobain wearing the t shirt... everyone is too damn proper... It’s funny as hell and Kurt would probably laugh hysterically himself. Hard Copy... He is so fucking funny... I can’t stand it... He’s out there but he is so funny to me.

[@paulsmartialarts]

I am dreading this film so much.

[@MasteringSilence]

Did that bio movie ever pull through? The Converse did...

[@ZaphBot]

That guy that joined the interview that was supposed to play Daniel in the biopic directed "Hi How Are You Daniel Johnston?" in 2015 and starred as him, it's a short film.

[@endthedrugwartoday]

MASSIVE LUMINARY. KZbin does not deserve this level of content. It's like covering a turd in gold. KZbin is so vile.

[@GravelordNEETo]

Theres an earlier interview where Daniel says he wasnt interested in music at all, and cared more about his art/comic book aspirations as a kid, until he heard The Beatles, which was the first band he was really interested in. And he wasnt exposed to The Beachboys until MUCH later in his life. He says the exact opposite in the beginning of this interview... I dont know if hes just confused or lying, but it's strange.

[@benjaminposer593]

Probaly heavily medicated

[@coming_up_roses]

omg i love him :)

[@parkt6792]

I thought that Jason Gross did absolutely fine. I thought it was a good interview, and I don't see what everybody is talking about, that 'oh, if it was a different interviewer, it would've been so much better!' Nice job Jason. I'm looking forward to the completion of this movie they're talking about!

[@davidchildress587]

parkt6792

[@pariswaynegacy]

What ever happened to that biopic?

[@Foulfellow]

Interviewer has the personality of a rock

[@snicker576]

Most rocks have way more personality. This guy's rock equivalent is like one of the pieces of gravel in the driveway of a run down near out of business bait and tackle shop in southern Florida run by two frail retired preachers

[@titouriv]

Buen viaje Daniel, gracias por tu arte.

[@thatwasprettyneat]

Not me googling "did kurt cobain ask to be buried in a daniel johnston shirt" and then unpausing where i'd left off and seeing daniel johnston say "just kidding"

[@CarldeReims]

Great footage!

[@9tripledouble]

How could they let this guy interview anyone? Especially at a national music fest?

[@glitchesandglitter]

he looks like he's doing better. more coherent and less nervy.

[@thechump1]

HAS THE THOUGHT CROSSED YOUR ONE WAY STREET MINDS THAT THE INTERVIEWER HAS HIS OWN STORY AND INTERNAL / EXTERNAL REASONS FOR BEING THE WAY HE IS...AT LEAST HE'S POLITE AND PATIENT...LETS THE GUY SPEAK ! ITS NOT ABOUT HIM ITS ABOUT DANIEL ANYWAYS BROS!!!

[@joshjuanfifarek7382]

I remember Danny was telling me about this bio film that was in the works and thankfully it didn’t happen because in Dans words The red hair guy from that 70s show is going to be me. So yeah…

[@DrVonChilla]

I understand why the interviewer is, shall we say, "not entirely comfortable", but he does a pretty good job. At the beginning of my (years-ago) 5-year career in mental health direct-care, I was as meek as a lamb, but I soon "toughened-up". Social interaction with mentally ill people is NOT a skill that is acquired overnight. God bless Daniel always!!

[@goodleshoes]

LAWL He had me going about Kurt dying in his shirt. I'm like WOW really? ...Wait what?