When a band or artist names their act after themselves, it’s to tell the world that all the attention belongs to them. Alice Cooper started as the band name, but everyone knows the man formerly known as Vincent Furnier as the real king of shock rock. And while everyone may love Wings, they’d be grounded without Paul McCartney’s name and pop lineage. But when New Orleans-based musician John Michael Rouchell calls his band MyNameIsJohnMichael, it’s less about the globs of attention to be earned and more about the music itself: simple, to-the-point acoustic balladry that gets a kick thanks to some Big Easy brass.

To understand that sound, check out the track “Orphan”, off of the groups’ upcoming sophomore LP. There’s a light, strummy vibe that acts as a base throughout. Spicing up the simplistic nature, though, is a healthy dose of horns and organ work that add a classical and clearly Southern influence to a decidedly Northern-born variety of simple rock and roll. With such a vibrant, yet minimal sound, it’s easy to get lost and forget who this John Michael character even is.

Check out the track below. The album is produced by Raymond Richards (Local Natives) and is scheduled to be released this year. Along with the track below, make sure to take a look at the group’s upcoming tour schedule, which includes stints at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and French Quarter Fest.

Orphan

MyNameIsJohnMichael 2011 Tour Dates:
04/28 – New Orleans LA @ One Eyed Jacks (New Orleanz Jazz Fest) *
05/02 – New Orleans, LA @ Tiptina’s (New Orleanz Jazz Fest))
05/06 – New Orleans, LA @ Blue Nile #
05/07 – New Orleans, LA @ Gentilly Square (New Orleanz Jazz Fest))
05/08 – New Orleans, LA @ Republic (New Orleanz Jazz Fest))
05/10 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement
05/13 – Lousiville, KY @ Phoenix Hill Tavern
05/15 – Philadelphia, PA @ North Star Bar
05/16 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Bowl
05/18 – New York, NY @ The Mercury Lounge
05/19 – Washington, DC @ Sixth & Historic Synagogue
05/25 – Asheville, NC @ USA Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall
05/26 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
05/28 – Mobile, AL @ Music Box

* = w/ Okkervil River
# =w/ Gene Ween