By Eleni P. Austin
John Doe is headlining a solo show at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center on Saturday, March 28th. Opening for him is Desert legend, Sean Wheeler with Billy Pitman. Best known as the frontman for the iconic Los Angeles Punk band, X, John has also released a clutch of brilliant solo albums, carved out an intriguing acting career. He also co-authored two expansive books on L.A.’s fertile music scene: Under The Big Black Sun and More Fun In The New World. Now, he is back on the road for a brief Spring tour. He recently took the time to answer a few burning questions.
ELENI: You have spent the last two years touring behind X’s brilliant ninth album, Smoke & Fiction. The final show in November featured another legendary band, Los Lobos. How does it feel to kind of close that chapter of your life?
JOHN: In the past 10 years, X played more dates per year than we did in the Eighties. For several reasons, we have been talking about playing fewer shows per year. When we released Smoke & Fiction, we decided that we were done playing clubs. 2027 will be our 50th anniversary.
ELENI: With X on the backburner, you’re returning to the road for a solo tour. Does this mean we can expect a new solo record from you in 2026?
JOHN: I began recording in Austin with the Folk Trio (Kevin Dylan and Conrad Choucroun) in February. David Garza is producing.
ELENI: You recently appeared on the Sterlin Harjo television series The Lowdown, starring Ethan Hawke. How did that come about?
JOHN: Six months before I was hired for the part of Marlon, I auditioned for the part played by Tim Blake Nelson. Sterlin asked me to play a role in the final season of his previous series, Reservation Dogs, but I was on tour. I’m a big fan of both series and look forward to the new season of The Lowdown.
ELENI: One of my favorite albums of yours is A Day At The Pass, your collaboration with Jill Sobule (who tragically and suddenly passed away last May). How did you two become friends and what was the impetus behind making the record together?
JOHN: I first met Jill while X was touring our record, Unclogged. We bonded immediately, and toured together quite a bit between 2005 and 2016. A Day At The Pass happened because our friend and producer, Dave Way, was part owner (of The Pass recording studio), which was about to be sold. That recording was such a blast. I miss Jill deeply.
ELENI: You will be playing the Joshua Tree Retreat Center on Saturday, March 28th. Can you tell me what we can expect? Is it a John Doe Folk Trio show, or will you be flying solo?
JOHN: Solo, with all the requests I can fake my way through, plus songs I’m still learning. I’ve never performed at the Retreat Center, but always have great shows in the high desert. There’s something about the air. We’re so fortunate that Sean Wheeler and Billy Pitman are on that show too.
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Sister Midnight Presents John Doe At The Joshua Tree Retreat Center
An intimate indoor show in the Sanctuary. Doors open at 6:00pm,
Show at 7:00pm. 59700 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree. jtrcc.org
Tickets available through Eventim, Jambase and StubHub.
