Eric Johanson (Matinee)

Eric Johanson blends sharp songwriting with a deep connection to the guitar, creating music that’s dynamic, soulful, and rooted in a mix of rock, roots, blues, and modern influences. Whether channeling the swampy pulse of his New Orleans home or leaning into heavier, fuzz-laden textures, Johanson’s music strikes a balance between grit and finesse, power and restraint. As American Songwriter puts it, he “displays his guitar prowess but within the borders of melodies and lyrics that push the boundaries of blues/rock… searing guitar work, and persuasive songwriting.”

His 2023 album The Deep and the Dirty debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart and solidified Johanson as one of the most compelling guitar-driven artists working today. He followed in 2025 with another Top 10 Billboard release, Live In Mississippi, capturing the raw electricity of his stage show. Extensive U.S. touring and sold-out headline runs across Europe have fueled rapid, word-of-mouth growth, building a reputation for performances that are powerful, unpredictable, and deeply connected to the room.

Johanson’s ascent has earned recognition from both peers and critics. He was named one of Guitar Player Magazine’s 25 Best New Blues Guitarists and included in Total Guitar’s list of the Greatest Blues Guitarists of All Time. Industry veteran Bob Lefsetz remarked, “It’s like he digested all the music of the sixties—just like those musicians listened to the progenitors—and kept the flame a-burnin’. This guy has a place in the firmament.”

Born in Louisiana and based in New Orleans for most of his life, Johanson’s roots run deep in the city’s musical culture. His breakout came when blues luminary Tab Benoit signed him to Whiskey Bayou Records and produced his debut solo album, Burn It Down (2017), followed by two years of touring with Benoit behind the kit during Johanson’s opening sets. His second album, Below Sea Level (2020), marked a darker, heavier creative turn and solidified his identity as an artist willing to push beyond genre confines.

For The Deep and the Dirty, Johanson crafted what many critics call his most powerful work to date—a record that fuses raw, high-voltage guitar work with gripping, song-driven writing. The album leans into thick, fuzz-soaked textures, swampy grooves, and driving rhythms, while never losing sight of melody and emotional weight. It’s modern blues with teeth—rooted in tradition but unafraid to hit harder, stretch further, and burn brighter.

Along the way, he has supported artists including The Record Company, Samantha Fish, Tab Benoit, Anders Osborne, and North Mississippi Allstars. His collaboration with Big Chief Monk Boudreaux resulted in a Grammy-nominated recording, further cementing his place within Louisiana’s living musical lineage.

With a new studio album slated for 2026, Johanson continues to push modern blues into bold, unfiltered territory—expanding the tradition without diluting its soul.