Tonight: Daniel Johnston At First Ave.

Download: Daniel Johnston - "Casper The Friendly Ghost"
Download: Daniel Johnston - "Walking The Cow"

Even if iconic lo-fi pioneer Daniel Johnston didn't have a fervent cult following (which famously included the likes of Kurt Cobain, who wore a Daniel Johnston T-Shirt to the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards) that adored every piece of gently whimsical, yet dark and fragile, folk-pop exploring the minutiae of unrequited love, that Johnston puts out--there's been 20 albums proper released so far, including the well-renowned recordings Hi, How Are You? and Welcome To My World--the documentary about the Texas-based artist and musician, The Devil And Daniel Johnston would have virtually guaranteed a loyal fanbase.

The film, which depicted the singer's lifelong struggle against bi-polar disorder, as well as providing insight into his remarkably patient nuclear family, was a hit on the documentary film circle, winning the Documentary Directing Award at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. Since then, his essential recordings have been re-released, (they were originally put out on cassette) all but ensuring that a new generation of music fans will come to appreciate his utterly singular amalgamation of pop greats like The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Big Star. But Johnston is not resting on his laurels. His last album, Lost And Found, was released in 2006, and he's been touring on a semi-regular basis. Shows in the US and UK have been selling out, which makes the fact that tickets for tonight's show at First Ave. are still available something of a minor miracle.

Doors are at 8 p.m. for an 18+ show. Tickets can be bought here. Rob Skoro and Dark Dark Dark open.

Danile Johnston MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)