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“My Post Apocalyptic Love Story, a live one-man musical comedy. My life manifesto, it's one of hope: Love (and laughs). A relentless fight and persistence, even after the crash.” Music lovers, students to anyone who believes music and laughter are good for the soul,  come take a ride with me. 

The Man Behind the Guitar: 

Nearly four years ago (around late 2021), Dave hit rock bottom after two decades grinding in New York City's ad tech, digital world, literal "fiery crash" (which he alludes to in posts as a metaphorical and possibly literal turning point)  building his vision from   He describes that dark period in a recent X post as "completely dark, and silent, and still"—the moment he "drew the line in the sand" and started searching for something undefined. What emerged? A fierce determination fueled by influences like Robert Johnson’s haunting Delta blues, Muddy Waters’ electrified grit, Chuck Berry’s rockabilly swagger, and the raw rebellion of The Rolling Stones, Black Crowes, Sex Pistols, Chris Cornell, Stone Temple Pilots, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and Neil Young.

Dave's diversity shines through in his live sets and recordings: acoustic fingerpicking that echoes Neil Young's introspective folk, electric riffs channeling Hendrix's psychedelic fire, and punk-infused snarls nodding to the Pistols. He's not just covering legends—he's forging originals that blend these roots into something personal and unpolished. His email (jonstonguitarproject2020@gmail.com) and X bio scream availability: "Free Agent - Band: The Torne. Booking DM for dates / artist, singer & songwriter #TheTorne #HollywoodRemote."

The comedic edge? Dave's lyrics and stage presence lean absurd—think Sex Pistols snark meets post-apocalyptic rom-com. One post quips about a Minions meme with guitar flair, showing his humorous side. It's not just music; it's therapy wrapped in distortion.

Milestones: Radio Waves, Resilience, and Moving Mountains

5 of originals with radio play on Western MA. station that's given Dave's tracks airtime. That's no small feat for an independent artist rebuilding solo. But the real win? Personal alchemy. Dave's "moved mountains" through sheer vision—testing his "philosophical beliefs against anything and everything," as he puts it. Over these four years, he's shaped "a new resilience to the external factors" that once boxed him in.

More importantly, as you said, Dave set out for the truth. In his own words, "Along the journey, what surfaced was so obvious yet hidden in plain sight. Found the truth is in music and humor." It's a revelation born from silence: truth isn't abstract—it's the strum of a guitar cutting through chaos, the laugh that defies the end times. His posts reflect this—sharing Weezer show texts from his amazingly 17 year old daughter, and heart and soul, Ari (pure dad-rock joy), acoustic Rolling Stones covers like "Dead Flowers," or hyping Bruce Dickinson's "The Stage is War" with electric enthusiasm.

He's eyeing bigger stages: Dreaming of an acoustic set at the Rome Film Festival (tied to a Jennifer Lawrence film premiere) or disrupting the Sunset Strip. Even shoutouts to indie films like Homeless Ashes show his collaborative spirit.

Why Dave's Story Resonates

In a world of polished pop, Dave Johnston is the anti-hero: A 40-something survivor wielding a guitar like a weapon, proving reinvention doesn't need a major label—just grit, a Les Paul, and a killer setlist. His diversity isn't flashy; it's authentic, pulling from blues forebears to grunge gods while carving originals that scream "I've been there." If My Post Apocalyptic Love Story is his manifesto, it's one of hope: Love (and laughs) persist, even after the crash.

David Johnston

The Torne