I just wanted to throw up a quick post to alert everyone to a new Daniel Johnston project that was just released.  That’s right a “NEW” project.  I know that many of you are familiar with Johnston, but may have thought that his career was on hold.  If so, your assumptions couldn’t be further from the truth.  Besides continued touring and having a solo exhibit of his art currently featured on DirtyPilot.com,  Daniel will also be releasing a brand new album on October 6th.  For the upcoming Is and Always Was, Johnston teamed up with Jason Falkner to create his first album of all new material in 6 years.  Yes, yes…. this is all very exciting, but this post isn’t really intended to be a focus on any of this; it’s actually about something much more unexpected…. a Daniel Johnston video game.

Daniel doesn’t even use a computer himself, but many of the admirers of his work are quite tech-savvy.  In super legit fashion, it was two Austin-based companies, Dr. Fun Fun and Smashing Studios, that came together to develop and distribute this video game experience to the masses.  For now, Hi How Are You the game is available as a download for the iPhone and iPod touch.

VIDEO PREVIEW:

Official Product Statement:

“Hi How Are You” is the first toon-shaded 3d puzzle platform game to arrive on the iPhone. It features a universe filled with dynamic physics driven gameplay, surreal enemies, challenging puzzles, and Daniel Johnston’s critically acclaimed art and music.

Screenshots:

We’re very excited to see the Godfather of Lo-Fi immortalized in such a high-tech fashion.  Personally, due to a difference of opinion between me and AT&T/Cingular Wireless [they seem to believe that I owe them a lot of money] and the fact that my current service doesn’t run on SIM cards, I’m unable to own a functioning iPhone, even if its hacked.  For the rest of you, however, this application is available now through the iTunes, so go download it.

and………

don’t forget to pick up Daniel’s new album on October 6.

Listen to this advanced track from the album Is and Always Was now:

[audio:http://monsterfresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/daniel-johnston-freedom.mp3]
{Daniel Johnston – “FREEDOM“}

Outside Daniel Johnston-related links:

Hihowareyougame.com (official Hi How Are You game site)
HiHowAreyou.com (official Daniel Johnston website)
YipEyeTunes.com (Daniel’s official digital download site)
RejectedUnknown.com (official Daniel Johnston fansite)
Danielontour.com (Daniel Johnston Tour Dates)

Daniel Johnston articles on Monster Fresh:

Songs of Pain (April 2008 interview with Daniel Johnston)
Worried Shoes (Unreleased Daniel Johnston Converse All-Stars)