20 May 1 - 7, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents “I loved singing and I couldn’t get enough karaoke in my life,” Berman says. He took up guitar for the first time since he was a child and began songwriting for the first time in his life. The product was first concep- tualized as just Jon before adopting Jon22 as the moniker, named after his lucky number. His songwriting came about as a soft, ‘70s folk- rock sound—think Three Dog Night or Ten Years After, numerical coincidences aside. Berman’s first release came in 2021, an 11- song LP aptly titled First Sessions. The album included originals, including “Better,” a swelling piano ballad, along with covers of Pearl Jam’s “Just Breathe” and the Bee Gees’ “Run To Me.” “When I first would go into the studio, I was so nervous,” Berman says. “I’d have to smoke a lot of weed to go in there.” His first release was recorded at Pleas- antry Lane, a recording studio in East Dallas operated by songwriter Salim Nourallah. Berman, along with Nourallah, enlisted the help of an all-star Dallasite band, including Paul Slavens, John Dufilho (Deathray Da- vies, Motorcade), Nick Earl (Tripping Daisy) and Chris Holt, the legendary Dallas musi- cian who recently joined the Eagles on gui- tar. Berman’s wife, Princess, contributed background vocals and helped him write the melodies. “It’s weird when you’re new,” Berman says. “You think it’s good, and then your friends are telling you it’s good. And then I’m like, I pay these guys, are they my friends? It’s a tug of war.” Berman’s latest offering, Muse, hit stream- ing on Nov. 22, 2024, with a limited quantity of vinyl pressings found at Good Records. It’s a strong build on the foundation laid by First Sessions, with Berman coming into his own through atmospheric folk melodies. By de- sign, Berman raises the tempo as little as he raises his voice, all behind a precisely crafted, easy-listening sound. The album landed him a spot on Declared Goods, a small indepen- dent label. “I mean, it’s not like I got $100,000,” he says. “But I was on a label. It made me freak- ing giddy, I’m still excited about it. When I listened to all the music that was on his la- bel, it wasn’t like I was on a playlist where the music didn’t make sense. It all vibed.” The album’s name and cover are a tribute to Princess, who sings a duet with Berman on the beautiful “Six of Cups,” named after the tarot card. “She’s my best friend,” Berman says. “Having her on stage with me calms me and brings the best out in me as a performer.” The two will share the stage together next month, on May 24 at the Kessler, opening for Dufilho’s “John Buffalo” alter ego and elec- tronic side project. Having his name added to the Oak Cliff theater’s marquee is a meaning- ful career checkpoint to Berman, who joked that he’d get a church bus to pick people up and take them to the show, if he had to. “Playing the Kessler is like playing the Su- per Bowl for me,” he says. “I’m not a name and I’m not a draw, but he (Dufilho) went to bat for me. I’ve always wanted to play there.” Berman’s show with Dufilho at the Kessler presented by KXT 91.7, is Saturday, May 24. General admission tickets are on sale for $22. Bsides from p19 D TRENDING STORIES SCAN HERE TO READ LCD Soundsystem Deconstructed Dance Music at The Bomb Factory or visit dallasobserver.com to read our daily coverage of Dallas Andrew Sherman The Stories Your Friends Are Sharing FOLLOW US
