Jerry Fish is dreaming of Daniel Johnston – New Album and show

Jerry Fish @Loft53 Pic: Marc O'Sullivan

INDIE legend and musical ringmaster Jerry Fish has released his latest single โ€˜Donโ€™t Let The Sun Go Down On Your Grievancesโ€™, a joyous cover of a Daniel Johnston song in collaboration with singer MayKay (Fight Like Apes).ย 

The track is from an album of Johnston covers, Dreaming of Daniel, just released

For years, Fish has been performing Johnstonโ€™s poignant track โ€˜The Story of an Artist.โ€™ย 

When Johnston passed in 2019, Fish released his version of โ€œTrue Love Will Find You In The End,โ€ catching the attention of Johnstonโ€™s manager, Tom Gimbel.ย 

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This led to Fish being invited to launch the Dublin chapter of โ€œHi, How Are You Dayโ€ on January 22, 2020โ€”Johnstonโ€™s birthday, celebrated globally as a day for open conversations around mental health and well-being. Since then, Fish has co-hosted the event annually in Dublin with musician MayKay and pianist Cian Boylan.

Fish describes Dreaming of Daniel as โ€œa labour of love, five years in the making,โ€ and his first vinyl release in thirty-four years. โ€œI am very proud of it,โ€ he says. โ€œItโ€™s a record full of amazingly talented musiciansโ€”a fourteen-piece orchestra, a three-piece brass section, and some of the best vocal talent in Ireland.ย 

โ€œNot only is Danielโ€™s lyrical wit and honesty an inspiration to me and artists worldwide, but performing his songs live is incredibly fun. Dreaming of Daniel captures that joy.โ€

One track, โ€œDonโ€™t Let the Sun Go Down on Your Grievances,โ€ encapsulates Johnstonโ€™s message of self-compassion with lyrics urging listeners to โ€œdo yourself a favour, become your own saviour.โ€ย 

Featuring vocals from Fish and MayKay alongside vibrant brass and a full band, the song is a tribute to Johnstonโ€™s spirit.ย 

Originally part of Johnstonโ€™s 1983 cassette album, the song now receives a fresh rendition through Fishโ€™s heartfelt performance.

Fans of Fish and Johnston alike can look forward to โ€œHi, How Are You Dayโ€ at The Grand Social, where the event will offer a musical reprieve from Januaryโ€™s chill and celebrate Johnstonโ€™s enduring influence.onย  January 26.

See Jerry Fish live at Dolans on Friday January 31.