Russell Jamie Johnson is a man of many talents. He’s an actor, stuntman and archer of some renown. He was even the archery coach for Jamie Parker, who played the famous wizard in Broadway’s ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’. It turns out that he’s also an excellent songwriter and we’re delighted to premiere his new video.
From a young age, Johnson channelled tragedy and loss into music. He’s a graduate in Song-writing from Berklee College of Music, where he worked with the likes of Jamie Cullum and Chuck Leavell, (Allman Brothers, Rolling Stones). It’s clear that he honed his craft there because ‘Put Me Out’ shines with quality. On his latest single, he layers gorgeous guitar over a strong beat and delivers an impassioned vocal. It benefits from superb production by Chase Potter and Rupert Stansall, who is one half of the outstanding Ruen Brothers. The atmospheric video complements the song’s fine lyrics, which circle around the metaphorical device of a cigarette, used to explore an addictive but ultimately damaging relationship.
Johnson explains the inspiration behind the song: “‘Put Me Out’ was written while I was living in Boston. It was late and I was waiting for a girl I was pining for. She had always come and went as she liked and was indifferent to me, but I could not say the same about her. This relationship was an addiction. Nothing about it was redeeming or healthy, but this left me wanting something, just a few more minutes, even though the feeling would take another piece of me when she left.
As I thought of her walking through the door, I looked down at the cigarette I was holding. Our relationship was just like it, rising from ember, dying out as it hit the ceiling, dissipating, only to be revived by another visit, another kiss, and another goodbye. This song was written from a thought that I would have let this girl do whatever she wanted to me just for the chance to see her again. Eventually, I realised that I needed to get out of that headspace – that I may still want ‘it,’ ‘her,’, but refusing to indulge.”
On the strength of this song and it’s excellent accompanying visual, Russell Jamie Johnson is definitely one to watch. Enjoy.
