Vancouver-born, Victoria-based guitarist and singer-songwriter Tyler James Johnson’s new single “Where There’s Smoke There’s Fire” is out now. Recorded alongside friend and collaborator Jennifer Croden, the searing duet continues the rollout of Johnson’s new EP Songs For Everyone, which dropped on August 31st.
“I was driving in my car one day and … Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around came on the radio,” Johnson recalls, “For some reason I was inspired and thought I really want to write a similar style duet song to this. Turns out not long after a close friend of mine was having relationship challenges, and it inspired the story behind this.”
On the track, Johnson & Croden spin a yarn about a woman who longed for adventure begging a second chance from the man she left behind. Evocative of the great Americana male/female duet tradition, “Where There’s Smoke There’s Fire” is all at once heartfelt, bitter, and red hot.
“[My friend] had fallen for this seemingly wonderful girl,” explains Johnson, “Turns out she would up and leave one day with no notice to travel the world. He was incredibly heart broken and struggled for months because of this. Time passes and he moves on and she returns and wants a relationship again … I was really frustrated for him.”
Johnson was first inspired to pick up the guitar after hearing his father’s record collection at the age of 12. Today, his repertoire spans many genres, including Folk, Rock, Blues, Country, Celtic, Traditional, and Pop. Over the years he has lent his talents to numerous artists and bands, assuming roles as both a front man and a sideman. In 2022, he held the position of resident lounge musician at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Alberta. Presently, Johnson can be found performing throughout Victoria BC, both as part of the duo “Second Fiddle” and as a solo artist.
“I’ve been a cover musician for the past many years 4-5 years,” says Johnson. “I was playing in a lot of bands before I moved to Vancouver Island, mostly Classic Rock & Blues… I have never really considered myself a songwriter or really a true musician. More of a guy who just likes to play guitar.”
Despite his humility, his new EP Songs For Everyone is really just that. With his cool personal style and seasoned musical chops, Tyler James Johnson is sure to be one to watch.
