The Darren Johnson Effort

While living in Africa in 2001, Darren Johnson realized he could no longer allow his desire to make music stay quite. It was there he promised himself that he would abandon the practical and pursue his passion.

Whether playing solo or with his band, this Oregon-born, Tennessee based singer/songwriter walks a captivating line between folk, rock, and pop, that grabs your attention and doesn’t let go.

The Darren Johnson Effort became one of Portland’s most exciting bands, as his independent releases began landing in the hands of fans across the country, his song “Better Than Nothing” got local radio airplay, and he found himself performing on some of the biggest festival stages in the Northwest. In 2008 however, Darren Johnson packed up his car and drove across country to Tennessee to expand his audience and he has done just that. “I can’t explain it, I just knew it was something I had to do”, he recalls. “Step one was taking my music outside my bedroom, step two was taking it across the country.”

Said to have a sound “that nestles itself somewhere between Coldplay, John Mayer, and Mark Broussard” (The Buffalo Gap, Portland, OR), The Darren Johnson Effort gives new meaning to “a guy and a guitar”. With a big voice, heart felt lyrics and catchy melodies, Darren Johnson is one of those artists you just have to hear.

Recently, The Darren Johnson Effort finished their new single, Superhero, which accompanies his previous releases, The Darren Johnson Effort, EP (2006) and Paradise Bent (2008). Superhero’s creative lyrics and refreshing melodies provides a snapshot into what The Darren Johnson Effort is all about; original, catchy music with something to say.