Anytime a band’s front man is the drummer, it’s something to take notice of.  But the more unconventional musical structure that is Salem, led by Todd Anders Johnson, is only part of what makes the band unique.  Based out of Boulder, Colorado, the band is closely tied to social causes and sees music as a way to develop a greater consciousness of the world. 

“When collective land is lost, the landless are the majority/ Terms of trade are turned and the ground is set to burn/ Tell me a universal truth may be found again,” sings Johnson on the reggae/hip-hop tune “Many Have Tried.”

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Johnson, who began playing drums when he was 12, received his BA in Regional Development in Geography.  He began seriously pursuing music as a way of life after playing at an event in Seattle at which Democracy Now’s Amy Goodman spoke. Since 2005, Salem has been extensively touring, joining their music to political causes and bringing their message to masses in unusual ways—such as recurring gigs at the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado and the U.S. Freestyle Event in Girdwood (Salem has strong ties to Alaska, having performed and traveled extensively in the state for several years now). With compositions featured in Warren Miller’s film “Off the Grid” and sponsored by both Ayotte Custom Drums and LibTech snowboards, Johnson enjoys a far reaching audience.

With a sound that finds itself somewhere between Michael Franti and Ozomatli, Salem brings a force to the stage that is political in its passion, yet conscious of the thin line between speaking your mind and in-your-face preaching. Returning to Alaska for a mini tour, Salem is scheduled to play a 10 p.m. show at the Avenue Bar (338 W. Fourth Ave.), then perform the following night at the Sunrise Inn in Cooper Landing.