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Although he is prominent as both an actor and a musician, Johnny Gallagher’s fanbases for his acting and music careers are fairly separated from one another. Most notably on Broadway, Johnny originated the role of Moritz Stiefel in Spring Awakening – for which he won a Tony Award in 2007 – and later the role of Johnny in American Idiot. Beyond the stage, Johnny appeared in three seasons of The Newsroom on HBO, also appearing in the channel’s mini-series Olive Kitteridge. On the musical end, Johnny has been a fixture at Rockwood Music Hall over the past seven years, following a tenure with Old Springs Pike; after Johnny’s departure, Old Springs Pike evolved into The Spring Standards.
2016 is shaping up to be quite a year for Johnny Gallagher as it starts with the release of his debut full-length album, Six Day Hurricane. Several days after the Jan. 15 release of Hurricane, Johnny has a show slated for Rockwood Music Hall on Jan. 18. Interestingly, Rockwood Music Hall Recordings is the record company behind Hurricane, a label that has also put out titles for Mark Guiliana, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Amy Vachal, and Akie. On the acting front, Johnny will be starring in Long Day’s Journey Into Night – alongside Jessica Lange, Michael Shannon and Gabriel Byrne – which begins previews on Mar. 31 at the American Airlines Theatre.
In advance of all of the upcoming Rockwood and Broadway excitement, I had the pleasure of doing some Q&A with Johnny. In such, he explained why he’s “Johnny” to some and “John Jr.” to others. For more info on the man himself, direct your browser over to www.johnnygallagher.com.
I first learned about you through Aaron Lee Tasjan and later saw you two open for Green Day at the Studio at Webster Hall. Was that the first time that you had performed alongside Green Day?
Johnny Gallagher: I had sung with Green Day on the Grammy and Tony Awards as a cast member of American Idiot, and Billie Joe Armstrong had performed in the show while it was on Broadway. But the show at Webster Hall was the first time that I got up on stage on the same bill as them and played my original music. That was a fun night, except I was so nervous that I forgot to turn the bass amp on for several songs.
A lot of people know you from your award-winning Broadway work. Were you ever concerned about people associating you with theater rather than rocking or being a singer/songwriter?
J: There was a time where I was concerned that nobody would take me seriously as a musician because I have a background in acting, but letting go of that and deciding to just do the things that come to me naturally and let what happens happen has been helpful and liberating. The fact of the matter is that I have been playing and writing music longer than I have been acting, just not as publicly as my acting career has grown. People are going to view it however they are going to view it, but hopefully the music will speak for itself.
With regards to your upcoming album release show at Rockwood Music Hall, what should be expected? Mostly songs from your new album?
J: Yes, definitely. We’ll be playing a lot of the songs from the album as well as a few newer songs, and perhaps a few cover songs that we keep in our pockets.
Rockwood is not only hosting the album release party, but also putting out your album. How did you first get involved with the Rockwood people?
J: I have been playing my music at Rockwood Music Hall since 2008. They have been very kind and supportive of me throughout the years. Once I heard they were releasing music, I was immediately interested in working together in that capacity.
Was there an option of releasing music through the Adeline record label?
J: I love Adeline! I have a t-shirt with their logo on it that I wear all the time. I live in New York where Rockwood Music Hall is based, so it just came together organically to put my music out with them.
Beyond music, do you have any upcoming acting roles that you can discuss?
J: I’m doing the Eugene O’Neill play Long Day’s Journey Into Night on Broadway at the Roundabout Theatre Company this spring and am extremely excited about it. It is one of my favorite plays.
As an actor, you’re John, and as a musician, you’re Johnny. Is this to separate your careers? Or due to people in unions having similar names?
J: I joined the acting unions as a teenager and used my full birth name of John Gallagher, Jr. because it wasn’t taken yet in any of the unions. Plus I’m proud to be a “junior.” Calling myself Johnny Gallagher as a songwriter started primarily as just a comfort thing, though. When I am with my family everybody calls me Johnny, so the name just feels like home to me and since writing music is very personal and intimate for me, I wanted it to sound like home. It’s kind of like saying, “here I am, this is me.”
Do you think of yourself primarily as a musician who can act? An actor that sings?
J: I just think of myself as a person following instinct and that has lead me to express myself in both fields, and thankfully there have been wonderful people along the way willing to help give me those outlets.
What is it that keeps you in New York all these years later?
J: I just love the character of New York. A lot of pride and history. I like the accessibility of so many different treasures. I am big on variety and New York has so much variety. Also I like to eat and drink. Also I’m a night owl. Also I love walking.
When you’re not working on your career, how do you like to spend your free time?
J: When I’m not working, I love to soak up as much art as I can. I tend to watch a lot of movies, see a lot of plays and read a lot when I have the free time. The Caribbean isn’t bad either.
Do you have a favorite album of 2015?
J: I’ve been really into my friend Aaron Lee Tasjan’s record In The Blazes. All Your Favorite Bands by Dawes and The Most Lamentable Tragedy by Titus Andronicus are also both up there.
Finally, Johnny, any last words for the kids?
J: Follow your heart, find your integrity!
-by Darren Paltrowitz