by Mark Galloway
Antony Johnson known as Tony, 42, Essex born self employed window cleaner, bids for song writing recognition after his track is selected for the exclusive Metropolis Studios second ‘Lost Tracks II’ album released today.
The former band member, singer and songwriter from Rainham, is hoping that the release of the second ‘Lost Tracks’ album featuring his song Top Of The World, brings an opportunity to return to his most treasured passion of song writing.
The opportunity arose when Metropolis Studios got involved with the Lost Songs Project, The Lost Songs Project aims to seek out the very best songs that have been written but never published or recorded, running the risk of being “lost”… It is also be worth noting that Metropolis Studios are one of the best recording studios in Europe. Used by some of the biggest most iconic artist’s in world music history such as, Queen, Michael Jackson, U2, Lady GaGa, Amy Winehouse, Will.I.Am, The Stone Roses, Lauryn Hill, The Verve, Adele, Rihanna and Drake to name but a few.
Antony saw the details for the project watching guitar player Rob Chapman’s YouTube video with him talking to Alan Davis, Founder of the Lost Songs albums. Alan was asking viewers to summit their tracks for the Lost Tracks II album, before the closing day deadline and after weighing up his options, Tony submitted one of his many written tracks “Top Of The World” as a kind of ‘In it to win it moment.’ He completely forgot about the fact he submitted his track, until about a month later he was being contacted by Metropolis Studios to finalise the details. He said “Noting like this has ever happened to me before, I’ve never really been lucky, it’s an incredible opportunity, their studio is amazing, I was imagining myself recording in there whilst I was at their studio and they’re featuring a male vocalist on my track, so it’s like everything is being done for me.”
Rob “Chappers” Chapman is the frontman for UK rock band Dorje who recently hit number 1 in the iTunes Rock Charts with their single Catalyst, Founder/Owner of Chapman Guitars and an unrelenting YouTuber of epic proportions. He says on the Lost Songs Website “I am extremely proud to present Lost Songs, such an awesome opportunity for musicians who never thought their music would see the light of day – and with the focus on the song, not the singer, the playing field is really levelled in an exciting way”
Antony got into music by first hearing music being played around the family home, but also by his father who was a drummer in a band called The Avalons in the mid 70s, their music style was more Psychedelia…. His father then joined another band called Mirage. Tony also got the opportunity to set up the equipment his dad regularly. So not only was there consistent music being played, but there was also the live music rehearsals and jamming sessions as well.
Influenced by Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, Noel Gallagher, Blur, Oasis, the Brit Pop era of music, but a fan of all kinds of good music especially Faithless, Tony was the budding guitarist and song writer sometimes co-writing with his uncle, with the next band formed by members of his family The Kubes. They rehearsed as a family until the sound was good, brought in a singer, and then started to book rehearsal rooms, before taking the band on the road. All of the songs the band was performing live were originally written songs.
When the band broke up Tony still wanted to continue writing, so sometimes he’d go to the studio to structure new material. He said “I’ve probably got about 14 songs recorded professionally, but I’ve also got a good few original songs on tape as well. What I really want is, if someone came along and said they’d like to do something with one of my songs….. That would be great; it’s what I’d really love to do.”
Tony started a window cleaning business with his father around 10 years ago. He talks very highly of his mum and his dad because when he was young his parents split up but he lived with his father. Obviously his father being involved with the music and his love for both the music and his father, it’s very easy to understand why Tony would say, “My dad & my mum are my best friends.” He also talked highly of his mum saying “Although she’s very quiet, she has let me know that she’s proud of me and the opportunity I’ve been given, she’s also let me know that she wishes me the best.” He also said of his son jokingly “He sings along with me as I’ve been singing Top Of The World a bit lately”
To hear some of Tony’s other personal recordings, please check out his Sound Cloud link below
Lost Tracks II is released and available from all major music outlets today, it is worth a listen as a connoisseur of music, but more so if you’re in the market for aspiring fresh song writing and singing talent. The links for Lost Songs III will be opening soon for submissions for the third album, please check the ‘Lost Songs Music’ website link below.
Lost Tracks II Track List
1. Ain’t It Just The Way Paul Besselle & Slipdown Dog
2. Stop My HeartKirk Krotz
3. YoursChloe Ferguson
4. Be MineZak Taylor-Fray
5. Out Of WordsSunday Bawa
6. Stalking GirlConny Conrad
7. High Cost Of LovingPaul Cullen
8. Top Of The WorldAntony Johnson
9. UnchangingMarine Van Den Berg
10. Animal InsatiableMark Hilton
11. I Would Rather DieNick Thurtell
12. Lost In LoveSteven Unsworth
13. The Simple WayAdam Flanagan
14. GirlfriendJulie Ayshford
15. I Was MeCharlotte Lee
16. You & IKirsty McQue
