Meet Sean Johnson | Musician, Runner, Post Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sean Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sean, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I like to take risks. Taking a risk can mean you’re pushing yourself beyond what’s expected of you. As time passed though, I have realized certain risks you think are helpful end up having an adverse outcome.

I don’t think my biggest risk of all was pursuing a life and career in music, although to many it would absolutely be a risk. Music was what I wanted to do, so I did it, but in my experience specifically as a drummer, my idea of risk was to be the one that proudly said “yes” all of the time. I felt I had no choice. Growing up and coming from a more DIY, punk rock background, “yes” is a badge of honor because you truly don’t care where you play or whom to. You do it because you love it and that’s it. It gets your name out there. It’s a good risk. I adapted to this ideal both in my musical life and in my personal life and it stuck with me.
“Yes” can be a good thing if you are offered gigs and opportunities you want to do but the problem is, you end up justifying every single “yes” as a means to an end. Inevitably, you end up hitting a wall and the cycle of constant “yes” can actually work the opposite way for you if you’re not careful. This is a bad risk.

As I moved on with life, as my priorities changed, as I aged, I started to realize that “yes” had actually been a form of bondage and I used it as a crutch for fear of rejection or fear not being asked anymore. This risk I so proudly used as a tool to get ahead in life backfired. I lost friends, I lost sleep, I lost the meaning of what I was doing.
So now, my new risk is saying “no.” Saying “no” can be very powerful. It can mean you know what you want and you are not willing to compromise yourself. By saying “no” youre adding value to what you do. Sure, when you’re a teenager you don’t care about the who’s, what’s and the where’s because you haven’t known what it’s like to be taken advantage of. Once you start to say “no” all of the opportunities that you thought would come from saying “yes” but never did, actually come to fruition.
To take a risk is very important, but you have to know what the risk is and how to use it to add value to yourself and not to be taken advantage of.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been a drummer for over 25 years. I have gotten my 10,000 hours and I’m not bored yet. What sets me apart (I guess) is my enthusiasm on stage. To some it may seem a put on, but I assure you it’s all in the moment and it’s pure. I can’t help but to smile and emote in a seemingly silly and grandiose way. I think because playing the drums isn’t my full time job, I can maintain that joy because it’s not a necessity or means to an end for me. I did try to make drumming a job before, but it was sucking the fun out of it. I would have lost my spark, and that was the last thing I wanted to do. Drumming, playing with friends and performing is my joy and I am very fortunate that I can do it as much as I do and I’ll never take it for granted.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Off the top of my head…

A walk or run around LA State Historic Park at Sunset and walk across to Highland Park Brewery for food and beers.

Sunday at Verdugo Bar in Glassel Park for Biv’rit vegan Mediterranean pop up food and Dole Whip Slushies

Hike at Kenneth Hanh state park and lunch at Ackee Bamboo in Leimert Park

Sunset mai tai at Old Tony’s at the Redondo Beach Pier

Rosie’s Dog Beach in Long Beach if you have a pup

A great resource for off the grid, fun LA stuff would be Atlas Obscura

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
If we’re talking music, I want to give a shout out to every single band mate I’ve had. Each person I’ve played music with, for better or for worse, has been a part of my progress, growth and success. Being a musician is not an individualistic sport. It is collective. Shout out to everyone from Nasty Nate to Shirley Rolls. To Code 7 to The Pretty Flowers. All 1,000 plus people I’ve played with all have a special place in my heart.

Instagram: otikrecords

Twitter: https://twitter.com/otikrecords

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/otikpictures

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3462847/?ref_=ra_sb_ln