If Daniel Johnston [ tickets ] just went into a studio and recorded music, it would be enough to call him a success story. The Austin resident has, after all, battled serious mental illness for most of his life. But his writing skills are extraordinary, with narratives ranging from simple but heartfelt paeans to lost love, to anguished declarations of admiration for his comic book heroes. Johnston seems to feel every emotion in an exceptionally raw manner, and passes them through to the outside world via his crude but effective recordings, accompanying himself on piano or guitar. His new album, "Lost and Found" is due out soon. --Tjames Madison

Performing Saturday, March 19 at 1 a.m. at Maggie Mae's (323 E. 6th St.)

website: http://www.hihowareyou.com/