American singer/guitarist Eric Johanson is anything but an average rock or blues artist. His music balances between the raw energy of rock and the deep emotion of the blues, with a sound that feels at once unpolished and refreshingly original.

 

Eric grew up in Louisiana, with the blues and rock as constant companions. As a teenager he was already performing on local stages and playing in underground rock bands. After a stint abroad, he returned to New Orleans, where his unique style quickly made him a sought-after guitarist: a musician who combines his Southern roots with a fresh, progressive approach.

 

His talent also caught the eye of blues icon Tab Benoit, who signed him to his new label, Whiskey Bayou, and produced his debut album, Burn It Down (2017). The two went on a two-year tour together, with Benoit even joining Johansons' band as a drummer during opening acts.

 

His album The Deep And The Dirty (2023) debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart and received worldwide praise, including from Mojo Magazine and Guitar Player, which named him as one of the best new blues guitarists.

 

Johanson toured more than 10 European countries last year as a member of the Ruf Blues Caravan and shared the stage with such artists as Samantha Fish, North Mississippi Allstars and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. In Wespelaar, he will perform a full show with his own band for the first time for the Belgian public and will come to present his brand new album "Live in Mississippi".