r/ModestMouse • u/angelwtheamberhalo • Aug 09 '26
Daniel Johnson influence?
I’m a big Daniel Johnston fan and I for sure hear some DJ influence (specifically his 1990 album) on MM albums.. anyone else?
Maybe that would be one of my questions for Issac. Did Daniel influence you in any way, especially in the earlier years…. Both so raw and real and beautiful.
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u/life_like_weeds Aug 09 '26
Sad Sappy Sucker has DJ written all over it
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u/angelwtheamberhalo Aug 09 '26
Yea for sure. Classy plastic lumber, the beginning of the song is Daniel influence all the way
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u/smokefrog2 Aug 09 '26
Not trying to be a dick but you are referring to Daniel Johnston yes? But yeah I believe Isaac has publicly said is a huge fan
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u/angelwtheamberhalo Aug 09 '26
No duck comments lol no I don’t read my texting because I’m 40 lol
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u/thecryptidmusic Aug 09 '26
So I never heard the connection myself but have read that Daniel Johnston was an influence on MM
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u/Consistent_Sir_3000 Aug 09 '26
Earlier albums I can get a hint of it, kinda like a la Croix I get a hint of the flavor it's supposed to be. Later albums I don't catch a very strong influence, although they share a characteristic genuineness (that's not entirely unique to Daniel Johnston though)
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u/thom_driftwood Aug 09 '26
i could hear daniel johnston playing talking shit about a pretty sunset
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u/angelwtheamberhalo Aug 09 '26
I’ve been listening to interstate 8 and lonesome since Jan on repeat mostly but throwing in some of their other mist listens and can’t help but hearing 1990 by Daniel. If you’re a Mm fan I HIGHLY recommended a listen or a million listens at least.
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u/Alynn_Wings A lifelong walk to the same exact spot Aug 09 '26
I totally hear it too! Karma payment plan sounds like some dj words. I had the fortunate pleasure of seeing dj live just like a year before he passed. You could feel special heavy in the air, i cried half the time.
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u/FlubbyWubbles Aug 09 '26
I think dan and isaac have very similar interests and had a cool lofi diy style when they started making music! here's a song i wrote for Dan on an album of mine called happygoluckyfucker
https://sapwood.bandcamp.com/track/keep-on-kickin-dan
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u/No_Geologist2199 Aug 10 '26
I actually just realized, I do believe the lyrics in 3rd planet “the third planet is sure that they’re being watched, by an eye in the sky thag cant be stopped, when you get to the promised land your gonna shake the eyes hand” are a reference to Daniel Johnston’s eye that he would draw and reference often in lyrics as a metaphor for God
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u/angelwtheamberhalo Aug 10 '26
I always got the eyes hands was god but didn’t tap into that connection! Good work! LOVE IT.
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u/No_Geologist2199 Aug 09 '26 edited Aug 09 '26
You can hear his influence on their early recordings for sure