Johnny Ironsights to Release 'Murder Mountain' March 5th

Article Contributed by Devious Planet | Published on Saturday, January 9, 2021

Johnny Ironsights is pleased to announce the release of the first video off of his March 5th album, Murder Mountain. The title track arose from the lawless region of Humboldt County, California, known for marijuana cultivation and several disappearances and unsolved murders. "No one gives a damn what we do on Murder Mountain. No cops, no Feds to cannibalize this war." American Songwriter premiered the video; watch it here.

Ironsights' music channels the hard-living spirit and dark strangeness of the American underbelly. He crafts a unique sound that incorporates alt-country, goth, and punk. The drenched stereo reverb and pitch-shifting vibrato emanating from his Magnatone amp and Fender Jazzmaster help create his signature guitar tone. The new record draws on the uniquely American flavors of California, downtown Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, and the Redwood forest, where both the land and many of its inhabitants are at once dangerous, broken, and yet strangely noble.  

The songs were written and recorded during the pandemic and shortly after his father's death to cancer. These deeply personal stories find Johnny reflecting on his childhood, first love, and heartbreaks, and lamenting about loss, while always positive for brighter times ahead. "I've seen America through so many different kinds of folks and my bi-racial background, and I think that bleeds through into my music. I also wouldn't have written these tunes if not for the heartache. So I'm thankful for that." 

The record was mastered by three-time Grammy-winning engineer Gavin Lurssen (O Brother Where Art Thou?, Lucinda Williams, Game of Thrones).  

As a solo artist and bands, Ironsights has performed throughout the USA, Canada, Europe, and South Asia, where he played shows with such artists as Billy Corgan, Nels Cline, and The Damned.  He also composed the dark and creepy score to director Danielle Agnello's film Lime Salted Love, featuring Billy Drago (The Untouchables), Kate del Castillo (La Reina del Sur), and Kristanna Loken (Terminator 3).

In 2014, Johnny was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and moved to India for nine months, where he performed acoustic concerts for the US State Department and foreign dignitaries. 

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