The first of these was Shipwreck, under which Johnston showcased gorgeous pop songs, comprised of lo-fi guitars, keyboard beats, and his soft, perfectly emotive and mumbling vocal delivery.
Reaching out online through experiments with inherited tools for home recording, though only a teen at the time, Johnston was booked for a number of shows. The first was an opening spot for Die!Die!Die! in Wellington organised by Camp A Low Hum mastermind Blink, while the second was a curious show at Re:Fuel when Johnston and his family visited Dunedin.
In the four years since that show, Johnston's profile has grown exponentially.
Shipwreck has grown into Lontalius, through which Johnston has been releasing a steady stream of solid EPs through Bandcamp. Using Ableton Live software, he's also expanded into Radiohead and Four Tet-inspired electronic music under the name Race Banyon.
Both projects have been attracting attention from corners of the internet too numerous to get into properly (Justin Bieber follows him on Twitter!), and gaining a deserved audience for his talents, be it songwriting, lo-fi covers of modern R&B tracks, or remixes.
Race Banyon retains some of the dreamy, smooth vibes and heavy emotional pull of Johnston's work as Lontalius, but feels very distinct, incorporating elements of footwork and hip-hop.
Now, Johnston is getting the chance to bring Race Banyon to Dunedin.
''I'm really happy to be coming down as Race Banyon finally'', he says.
''Hopefully I can come back again for a headline show sometime soon as well.
''It's been really interesting, I've been focusing on Lontalius recordings so much I haven't really had a chance to make much new Race Banyon stuff. My RB live set is my pride and joy though. I built it over a year or so of playing at Puppies. I can never really focus on both projects at the same time which is a shame, but I think I'm doing all right at balancing them both.''
Race Banyon plays tonight with She's So Rad and Ha the Unclear (formerly Brown) at Sammy's Dunedin.
Things to do in Dunedin
Out at Port Chalmers, two Dunedin bands play shows before heading to the west coast of the US. David Kilgour & the Heavy Eights alongside The Shifting Sands are touring in late July and August and are warming themselves into Californian summer with a mid-winter evening fireside at Chick's Hotel.
Be there
• The 91 Club Presents: She's So Rad, Ha the Unclear (formerly Brown), and Race Banyon, tonight at Sammy's Dunedin. Free with your 2014 Onecard, $10 without at 9pm. R18. Download Whatever Dreams Are Made Of for ''name your price'' at racebanyon.bandcamp.com/
• David Kilgour & the Heavy Eights and The Shifting Sands, tomorrow at Chick's Hotel, Port Chalmers. Doors 7pm.
• Marlon Williams single release tour with Aldous Harding, tomorrow at Taste Merchants (Lower Stuart St). Doors 8.30pm.
