With a mix of raw storytelling, rich instrumentation, and a sound that bridges folk-rock and indie grit, Niagara, ON’s Nick Braun unveils his new EP, Johnny, led by the standout title track. The five-song collection explores ambition, isolation, and the search for meaning through the lens of a fictional character navigating the ups and downs of life as an artist.
At the heart of it all is “Johnny,” a song that embodies the tension between nostalgia and the pursuit of something greater. The character reflects on where his friends have gone, “blames it all on time,” and questions whether the life he’s built is truly what he wanted. Over layered acoustic guitars and a driving rhythm section, Braun’s vocals carry both longing and defiance, channeling influences like Wilco, Jason Isbell, and Neil Young as the track builds into an anthemic chorus.
“This record was the first time I wrote music from a storytelling perspective,” Braun explains. “Writing about personal experience, especially difficult experiences, can weigh heavy on the mind. It can be easier—and actually fun—to share those ideas through the lens of a fictional character, and that’s where Johnny came along.”
Though Johnny is fictional, his story is deeply personal for Braun. Nearly ten years ago, Braun experienced a period of psychosis—an intense chapter of his life that coincided with the beginning of his journey into songwriting and making his own recordings. “I’ve played music since well before that incident,” he notes, “but my creative nature and overactive imagination came with a dark side, and making music has been the best way to grapple with it. Music brings complexity into moments of clarity and enjoyment. This EP was an effort to capture that clarity and enjoyment, share some personal experiences and unique ideas, and continue to come into my own as a music producer.”
Braun, a Niagara-based multi-instrumentalist and producer, crafted Johnny entirely on his own, recording each instrument from his home studio. Though rooted in folk rock, the production is layered with rocking guitar riffs, shimmering synths, and punchy drums—a sound that sits comfortably alongside Dawes, Kurt Vile, and My Morning Jacket.
Beyond “Johnny,” the EP is a journey through self-discovery and reinvention. “The Wrestler” examines internal battles, likening them to a fighter in the ring—“wrestle with yourself like a heavyweight champion with nothing to lose.” Meanwhile, “September Song” slows things down with a meditative, atmospheric tone, urging listeners to embrace change: “Be the voice inside me too, be the changing seasons.”
The EP closes with “Like a River,” a track that echoes the fluidity of life and love. Braun’s evocative lyrics—“My heart is like a river, my stomach is a well, my mind is like a tree that in the river fell”—deliver a profound sense of movement and transformation, tying together the album’s themes of growth and self-exploration.
To celebrate the release of Johnny, Braun will perform two live shows in the Niagara region. On April 11 at Niagara Artists Centre (St. Catharines, ON), he’ll perform stripped-back versions of his songs as a duo with Jordan Alexander on bass, sharing the stage with Arih SK, The Crooked Crow, and Substitute. He’ll follow that up with a full-band show on May 10 at Camp Cataract (Niagara Falls), supporting The Howling Gales.
Braun’s folk-rock storytelling, dynamic instrumentation, and introspective lyricism make Johnny an essential listen for fans of alternative folk and indie rock. With a raw and personal approach to songwriting, Braun shows that sometimes, the most honest truths are best told through a fictional lens—and a great guitar hook.
