Daniel Johnston’s appearance at The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology release party at Antone’s was similar to his foreword for the actual book. We were optimistic at the potential but never quite certain if it would happen. Both turned out better than imagined.
Alone on stage, Johnston delivered a sharp, concise acoustic set with simplistic intensity, encapsulated by this take of “Lost in My Infinite Memory.” Expect more footage from Austin Music Weekly in the coming weeks, but for now you can stream the entire set here.
The Waller-based pop savant’s currently working on what’s being called the Infinite Comic Book of Musical Greatness, which will include an EP of new material, and he’s the subject of the official SXSW panel, Daniel Johnston: The First Fifty Years (March 16, 2pm, Austin Convention Center, Room 9ABC). The talk will be moderated by Chronicle Editor Louis Black and feature his brother Dick Johnston, manager Tom Gimbel, and Glass Eye’s Kathy McCarty.
This article appears in March 11 • 2011.