Sliding out of the Covid pandemic in 2020, I started spending more time with my pals Zack B. and Dr. Smalls at my studio. Somehow I was inducted into their project aptly named The Mysterious Bruises. Like the moniker itself, it is hard to describe its origin, I only know that I was invited to participate in the amalgam of writing, music, art, and the creative debauchery that it entails. After many late night studio and living room sessions lasting into the early hours of the next morning, jumbled together with the trifecta of whisky, writing, and collaborative painting, it became evident that to move forward it was time for a show. On one of those mornings as I pondered my birthday plans for the summer of 2022 it occurred to me that the thing I wanted most was to have an art show with my friends and have The Mysterious Bruises make their debut musical performance. I asked Zack and Ryan if they were up for it, they obliged and so we began making our plans. I spoke to my friend Sandy, owner of The Rusty Nail, by far the best blues bar in Wilmington, NC and one of my favorite dive bars and we arranged to have it there on the eve of my Birthday…

The event was a resounding success. The music community of Wilmington showed up to support and it was a blast to be surrounded by all of our friends and favorite local musicians and artists. While it may not be the best place to view and appreciate visual arts, it pushed me to create some unique pieces to complement the event and the space. I paired up with Dr Smalls and we displayed a collection of collaborations and original paintings throughout the venue. I ended up projection mapping a pool table surface which was a first for me, and created 4 pieces for the event centered around one of my favorite instruments, the electric guitar.

I have met so many amazing blues and jazz musicians and interesting people in general at this place, from all parts of society. For some it is simply a neighborhood bar, for others it is a worldwide jazz destination (met some Korean Jazz musicians here), and it is a great place to go hear some live blues. If you find yourself in Wilmington and are looking for something to do, make sure to check it out on a music night and tell them Johnny sent you.