Damien J. Johnson

About the Artist

Bio: Damien J. Johnson is an award-winning, chart-topping, Ipswich-based Country/Blues artist whose music blends heartfelt storytelling with a deep connection to regional Australian life. Damien has shared the stage with Australian music icons James Blundell, Daryl Braithwaite, and David McCormack (Custard), and has performed recently at The Agnes Water Blues Roots & Rock Festival (2026), The Tamworth Country Music Festival (2026) and SPARK Festival (2025). Many of his previous releases have been featured on ABC Country and ABC Local Radio. He has also been featured on Apple Music’s ‘Aussie Country’ and ‘New In Country’ editorial playlists. In 2025 Damien J. Johnson was a Grand-Finalist in the Australian Country Music Stars competition, and was selected as the main support act for iconic Scottish band, Big Country, on their Greatest Hits tour. Beyond his musical achievements, Damien J. Johnson is a passionate advocate for the local arts scene and has received national recognition via ABC for his role in promoting local, live music and was recently a presenter, alongside Ben Lee, at the 2026 Ipswich Creator’s Summit. Song Info: Damien J. Johnson Releases New Single ‘Wacol Station’ – Out May 22 Ipswich-based country/blues artist Damien J. Johnson returns with his highly anticipated second single, Wacol Station, set for release on May 22. The track is the latest offering from the forthcoming album by Damien J. Johnson and The Damien J. Johnson Band, and signals a deeper dive into traditional/retrospective sound that defines the project. Blending bluegrass, country, and blues influences, Wacol Station draws on classic blues imagery, with the song weaving together themes of trains, prisons, and the devil—hallmarks of the genre—while delivering a distinctly Australian edge. In a deliberate move to preserve authenticity, Wacol Station was recorded live in a single take at Studio O’Keefe in Ipswich, without the use of a click track. This approach captures the natural tempo shifts and human imperfections of a live performance, standing in stark contrast to the increasingly polished and AI-influenced landscape of modern music production. The track features Damien J. Johnson on vocals and guitars, alongside Jim Bopalouie on bass and Logan Senjov on drums, showcasing the tight, intuitive chemistry of the band. Wacol Station follows the success of Johnson’s previous single, Lappin’, which gained significant traction after being added to Apple Music’s editorial New in Country playlist, amassing several thousand streams within its first week of release. With Wacol Station, Damien J. Johnson continues to build momentum ahead of the album release, offering listeners a gritty, heartfelt sound that honours tradition while carving out a unique voice in contemporary Australian country music.