BIO
DEAN JOHANESEN
Circus Swing & American Roots Music
Originally from Long Island, NY, currently residing in Ellenton, FL. Dean is a songwriter and guitarist inspired by historical fiction, speakeasy era Americana and the sounds of Hot Club Jazz (Django Reinhardt), Western Swing (Bob Wills, Lyle Lovett, etc) and American Roots Music.
Dean released a new EP titled Semi Tennessee in 2025 that was recorded in Nashville in January of 2024. Johanesen tracked at The Owl Studio in Nashville with Producer and bassist Shawn Byrne of Great Hill Productions.
The sessions included Nashville's:
Joe Spivey - Violin ( John Anderson’s Seminole Wind and member of the Time Jumpers,)
Pete Finney - Steel Guitar (Mike Nesmith of the Monkees and Patty Loveless,)
John McTigue III - Drums - (Emmylou Harris, Hank Williams III, Raul Malo of the Mavericks etc.)
The initial single idea turned into a 5 song EP that was recorded in January, April and September of 2024. “We tracked 2 band sessions and I had 2 sessions (in April and September) to track any additional work from the live sessions.”
The Western swing influence of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys along with Lyle Lovett, prompted this Western Swing approach to the tracks on the new EP. Other influences for the songs include - Jerry Reed, The Hot CLub of Cowtown, Bill Kirchin & Dale Watson"
Singles from the EP have been released in Jan and February of 2025. Physical copies are currently available at live shows before the full EP will be out to streaming services mid 2025 and the Semi Tennessee EP is currently available at community and independent radio stations across the US.
Johanesen’s radio campaign had Semi Tennessee in the top 20 (at 19 in January) on the Americana Charts for APD Radio and the title track, Semi Tennessee, was picked as one of the top 5 best songs on Songwriter Universe in January as well.
PAST SONGWRITER FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES
Flagstaff Folk festival - SERFA 2024 - Will McLean Festival - Dripping Springs Songwriter Festival - Panama City Songwriter Festival - MS Songwriter Festival - 30 A Songwriter Festival - Smoky Mountain Songwriter Festival - Black Warrior Songwriters Festival - Localtopia - Florida Folk Fest - St. Pete Folk Fest - NOTSXSX (during SXSW ATX.)
SHOW SUPPORT FOR
Robbie Krieger (The Doors Jam Kitchen) Glenn Phillips (Toad The Wet Sprocket) Howard Jones, Steve Forbert, Corey Hart, Mason Jennings, Peter Mulvey.
PRESS
“Dean is simultaneously a throwback to an era of gypsy jazz and circuses while pointing the way to what will always be timely: a renaissance man who can play, can sing and communicate with each person that he adds to his ever-growing fan base. With touches of Santana, of Django, of Paul Simon or even Leon Redbone or Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, Dean's music cuts through the noise of everyday life. Go see him!” - Steve Huntington, Sirius/XM Radio
“Highly reminiscent of Father John Misty’s newest record, it’s really been this year that we’ve fallen in love with this particular sound. Through the song’s five minute runtime, Dean nearly immediately immerses the listener into another atmosphere and decade through his unique instrumental choices that focus heavily on horns to really set the mood. Lyrically speaking, he’s also shown extreme great strength in his songwriting, effortlessly painting a picture for the listener to connect the dots through his words. Not only are you imagining what’s happening, but it certainly doesn’t hurt that the entire vibe makes you feel like you’ve transported 100 years into the past. In terms of crafting the experience, he’s gone above and beyond in nailing every facet of what make this song true to the form of its influences.” - We Write About Music - Editor's Picks - The Wizard Of Menlo Park
“Dean Johanesen spiced up his repertoire of acoustic guitar-driven fare with a sonic palette that calls on Spanish rumba-style instrumentals, speakeasy-era Americana, and swinging hot club jazz dosed in circus tent hues. In addition to original material, his sets are studded with perfectly executed covers of songs like Django Reinhardt’s “Minor Swing.” - Leilani Polk, Creative Loafing - Tampa
“Dean Johanesen is truly a remarkable artist in his ability, professionalism and dedication. His unique sound is unmistakable and his show is polished, but casual, with each song revealing more depth to his talent than the next. I knew of Dean and his music, mostly from area festivals and from songs I wore the needle through on Reverbnation…crystal clear, technically amazing and written from the heart. I was a fan before conducting this interview and chances are you’ll want to be one after you read it. ” - Mike Sales, Siesta Sand