Not shockingly, Daniel Johnston isn’t much of an iPhone guy (in fact, he doesn’t even know what they are). Apparently he recently got a computer, but doesn’t really think it’s the cat’s meow. So it goes. Our dad thinks text messaging is one of the dumbest wastes of times ever. Regardless, Johnston is at the center of a downloadable iPhone game that combines his artwork and music recently developed by two big fans of the man and his work.

The New York Times ran a feature on the game, its makers and Johnston himself this week that went to lengths to illustrate this colliding if two unfmailiar worlds. They refer to the game itself as a sort of “psycho-religious version of Frogger.” At the very least, this sounds sort of fascinating. While Johnston doesn’t remember much about the game, Johnston’s brother was also interviewed, and said Johnston played the game in its developmental stages and “seemed to like it.” Sweet. (Via: Daily Swarm via NYT)

Cult musician Daniel Johnston will release his latest album, titled Is and Always Was, on October 6. The album is the result of a partnership between Johnston and producer Jason Falkner, a well-known solo artist in his own right who has also produced tracks for Beck, Air, and Paul McCartney. The album was conceived as a “project that aimed to take the rock and roll symphonies in Daniel’s prolific musical brain and deliver fully-realized and professionally-produced recorded songs.” Thus, Johnston’s usual lo-fi, homemade recordings have given way to slicker studio tracks with parallels to the Beatles and 70’s pop-rock icons like Queen, Elton John, and ELO.

Discussing the recording process, Falkner reflects: “He possesses that rare individuality that makes the listener wonder where this music comes from. It was challenging to make our minds work together but I really found myself immersed in his musical world. It’s a unique place to live, that’s for sure!”

Tracklisting for Is and Always Was:
Mind Movies
Fake Records Of Rock And Roll
Queenie The Doggie
High Horse
Without You
I Had Lost My Mind
Freedom
Tears
Is And Always Was
Lost In My Infinite Memory
Light Of Day

Tour dates:
09.03.09 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
09.04.09 Seattle, WA @ Neumos
09.05.09 Vancouver, BC @ The Venue
09.07.09 Calgary, AB @ Knox United Church
09.08.09 Edmonton, AB @ Meyer Horowitz Theatre
10.02.09 Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits Festival
10.13.09 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
10.14.09 New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom
10.15.09 Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
10.16.09 Montreal, PQ @ UK Fed
10.17.09 Toronto, ON @ Mod Club
10.22.09 San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom
10.23.09 San Diego, CA @ Caines
10.24.09 Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theatre