Matt Johnson on SoundBetter

From recording the seminal cult-creating album Grace with Jeff Buckley to years of touring with the beloved St. Vincent, I've worked with a wide spectrum of artists over the past two decades including Rufus Wainwright, Angus and Julia Stone, and recently Miike Snow.

I'm originally from Texas but living in New York City opened up the most opportunities for developing a drumming career. I've recorded and played with Rhodes, Jade Bird, Teddy Thompson, Jeff Taylor, John Mayer, Dan Mangan, Dean Wareham of Galaxy 500, Tal Wilkenfeld, Will Stratton, Elysian Fields, Cones, Dope Lemon, Martha Wainwright, The Walking Who, Gabriel Kahane, Chris Stills, Anna Calvi, Duncan Sheik, Vivian Bond, Harper Simon, Keren Ann, Gerry Leonard, Reeves Gabrels, Tom Freund, Beth Orton, Suzanne Vega, Rickie Lee Jones and Miirrors.

I have also have worked with great producers such as Marius Devries, Rick Rubin, Simone Felice, Andy Wallace, Eric J, Andrew Wyatt, John Agnello, John Alagia, Thomas Bartlett, Tony Buchen, Tony Visconti, Tony Berg, Ben Harper, Hod David, and Kieran Kelly.

Moving successively from NYC to Los Angeles, and then to Austin has allowed for an expanded studio setup that is ideal for remote recording. Signature drum parts, rhythmic hooks, hypnotic patterns, contrasting textures, and heavy grooves have always been my passion.

I'm looking forward to creative interfacing with great musical minds, either in person or across the world!

Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.

Credits

AllMusic verified credits for Matt Johnson

Hey, King!
Angus & Julia Stone
Angus & Julia Stone
Will Stratton
Jade Bird
Jade Bird
Jeff Buckley
54-40
Dan Mangan
Dan Mangan
Jane Lynch
Jane Lynch
Buenos Diaz
Buenos Diaz
Angus & Julia Stone
Angus & Julia Stone
Hamish Anderson
Hamish Anderson
Angus Stone
Angus Stone
Angus Stone
Pat Boone
Lia Ices
The Damnwells
The Damnwells
Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Tony Guerrero
Debi Nova
Will James
Mary Flower
Mary Flower
Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Rufus Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright
Soname
The Blues Gangsters
The Blues Gangsters
Teddy Thompson
Leon Jean-Marie
Apache
Apache
Apache
Amazon Dart
Martha Wainwright
The Out_Circuit
The Out_Circuit
The Heavy Circles
The Mighty Orq
Dean & Britta
Duncan Sheik
Duncan Sheik
Jon Regen
People Noise
David August
David August
Anne Loo
Anne Loo
Rufus Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright
Rocky Roberts
Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Jeremy Enigk
Jeremy Enigk
Dana Parish
Dana Parish
Dana Parish
Mandy Moore
Mandy Moore
Mandy Moore
Duncan Sheik
Duncan Sheik
Chris Stills
Chris Stills
Jeremy Enigk
Shane Gamble
Shyne Factory
Shyne Factory
Shyne Factory
Tristan Prettyman
Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Kate & Anna McGarrigle
Tristan Prettyman
Tristan Prettyman
Tristan Prettyman
Suffering and the Hideous Thieves
The Profits
The Profits
Rufus Wainwright
Josh Kelley
Dean & Britta
Dean & Britta
Beth Orton
Lori Andrews
Speedloader
Die Symphony
Rufus Wainwright
Beth Orton
Tess Wiley
Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Duncan Sheik
Duncan Sheik
Suzanne Vega
Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Tim Finn
Susan McKeown
Robin Spielberg
Cathie Ryan
Duncan Sheik
Tom Freund
Morley
Seedy Arkhestra
Shyne Factory
Shyne Factory
Shyne Factory
Shyne Factory
Shyne Factory
Tom Kubis Big Band
Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Tom Kubis
Tom Kubis Big Band
Trudy Lynn
Matt and Kim
Max Johnston
Negative Press Project
54-40
Diana Demuth
Sarah de Bono
Dope Lemon
Old Blood

251 Reviews - 55 Repeat Clients

Endorse Matt Johnson

by Chris White
Verified
Matt gave me multiple options to choose from. Such a pleasure to work with. Thanks Matt!
by Jaron Natoli
Verified
It was a pleasure working with Matt once again. His attention to detail is unmatched. Thanks again!
by Allie
Verified
Another excellent experience working with Matt!
by Alexander Nantschev
Verified
Matt has a unique sound. He raised the quality of my tracks a lot. I feel honored to work with such a legend. Highly recommended and great communication!
by Brook C.
Verified
Matt really nailed it. Like all the greatest drummers Matt plays for the song. His drummer instincts are second to none. Your song will undoubtedly sound better!
by Diedrich Steven Donald Weiss
Verified
Matt is a songwriter's dream to work with. Versatile, tasteful, impeccable tracks, and digs in personally. I will be grateful and inspired eternally by his contribution to my music.
by Jeff May
Verified
So lucky to have such a talent on my little songs, really brings it to life, Thanks
by Ben L.
Verified
Matt is an excellent drummer, great feel, plays the song, big ears.
I keep coming back:)
by Ben L.
Verified
Pleasure to work with! Awesome communication, very tasteful and intuitive performance, and great recording. Highly recommended. Thank u Matt!
by Diedrich Steven Donald Weiss
Verified
Thoroughly Masterful in every detail. Beyond what I could reasonably hope for or imagine.
by Allie
Verified
Matt always takes our songs to the next level and makes them sound better than we could have hoped. Highly recommended!
by Lora N.
Verified
Working with Matt was a joy. Communication and turnaround time was superb. His subtle accents and percussive prowess really took our song to another level. This was the first live drummer I've worked with in years and Matt was worth it!
by Andrew
Verified
Matt was awesome. Amazing quality, very professional. There was no need for additional takes--He provided several options at the start that all could have worked. Thanks Matt!
by Andreas F.
Verified
5 stars to Matt! Very happy with the cooperation and the result.
I only gave some limited input on the sentiment of the song and based on that Matt created a unique drum track that goes perfect with the song. Quick reply, delivery and no need for revisions.
by ian c.
Verified
Great job, A pleasure as always
by Ade
Verified
The professionalism, quality, care, and sophistication that Matt delivers is off the charts, plus he's a lovely fella to boot!

Kind Regards Ade
by Jasper W.
Verified
An extremely good performance for the production and great turn-around time.
by Martin
Verified
Second time working with Matt. Matt is a great drummer. Very precise and accommodating.
by Mark K.
Verified
Like any great musician, Matt’s greatest skill-set is his commitment to listening. He does so deeply and thoroughly. The sounds, feel and dynamics are all there. Tracks sit in the mix wonderfully with minimal effort. You’d never know he was playing remotely. Such a treat to have access to a drummer of this caliber. Thanks Matt!
by Jez Wan
Verified
Matt was a pure professional when it came to communication, tracking, musicality, performance, recording quality and workflow. He smashed it out of the park straight away and only needed one revision even though the parts were very specific. His taste and playing was impeccable and really helped to elevate the overall feel of the track. And he did all this with such a reasonable budget I would not hesitate for a second to work with him again!

Interview with Matt Johnson

Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Jade Bird touring before Covid. Lots of recording on lockdown
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: all. why not?
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: professionalism
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: music
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: It's easy
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Do you have reference music that could point to relevant sounds and approach?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Have your tracks ready. know what you want.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Kick snare hat floor cymbal
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Drumming, recording, touring, songwriting, production. 40 years
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Dynamic and hypnotic
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Listen and commit
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Beautiful
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Intuition
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Inspired insight
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Concise and colorful charting of compositions on iPad using visual art app. I move over to practicing and doing preliminary recordings wherein I mock up what I intend to do, listening back for perspective. Sleep. Then I go in for the master takes, usually shedding charts and the prep mentality, using intuition and inspiration to summon the forces.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Rupert Neve Designs, Great River, API mic pres. Some tape emulators for crunch. Soyuz tube condensers, AEA big ribbon, sE, various dynamic mics like SM7, RE20, 201
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Debussy Metallica Tame Impala L Subramaniam PJ Harvey
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Commonly I work with artists and producers, providing drum tracks according to a wide spectrum of sounds and musical approaches. From atmospheric coloration and textures to driving grooves of all sorts, generally I come up with rhythmic signatures or hooks that contribute to the impact of a composition.