Eric Johanson Live at Martin's Downtown

Guitar Player

“An electric whiz with a sweet slide game… A gang of fantastic acoustic and electric leads…His slide work on resonator is particularly noteworthy.”

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“Johanson’s vocal shines throughout. Johanson’s penchant for creating inventive, bluesy riffs really make the album pop.”

American Songwriter

“Johanson pens solid material that, like Hendrix, 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.”

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, blues, and modern influences. His playing is expressive without being flashy—riff-driven and rhythmic one moment, fluid and melodic the next—always serving the song rather than overpowering it. There’s a rawness to his sound, but also a sense of purpose, pulling from the weight of tradition while pushing toward something new. 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 breakout moment came when blues luminary Tab Benoit signed him to Whiskey Bayou Records and produced Johanson’s debut solo album, Burn It Down (2017). The album introduced him as a serious guitarist with an ear for strong songwriting, leading to a two-year tour with Benoit himself playing drums in Johanson’s band during his opening sets. From there, his sound evolved further, catching the attention of Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars), who produced Johanson’s second album, Below Sea Level (2020).

For The Deep and the Dirty, Johanson teamed up with producer Jesse Dayton, crafting what many critics call his most powerful work yet. The album fuses raw, high-energy guitar playing with gripping, well-crafted songwriting, balancing a deep respect for tradition with a modern, hard-hitting edge.

Since the release of The Deep and the Dirty, Johanson has toured extensively, playing over 100 cities and 10 countries in 2024 alone. His momentum has landed him at the top of the Billboard Blues Chart and on stages alongside some of the most respected names in rock and roots music. Named one of the 25 Best New Blues Guitarists by Guitar Player Magazine and included in Total Guitar's list of the 100 Greatest Blues Guitarists of All Time, he’s carved out a space where strong songwriting and distinctive guitar work go hand in hand. Whether on record or on stage, Johanson’s playing is electrifying, his voice unfiltered, and his approach unmistakably his own.

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