Iconic Austin: “Hi, How Are You” Frog

Daniel Johnston is a legend in Austin, known for his music from the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, especially an album in which he drew a frog known as “Jeremiah the Innocent.” Jeremiah resembles something like a frog with large alien eyes and a big smile, offering the greeting, “Hi, How Are You?” Kurt Kobain made the image and Johnston’s album famous when he wore a t-shirt with “Jeremiah the Innocent” on it and was photographed frequently wearing it.

In 1993, Johnston was commissioned to paint a mural of Jeremiah by a second-hand record store on Guadalupe Street, in Central Austin across the street from The University of Texas. The “Hi, How Are You?” frog has become a symbol of Austin’s “Keep Austin Weird” slogan. The mural is frequented by tourists and Austinites passing by, as the location of the mural is in a high-traffic area, and t-shirts with the “Hi, How Are You?” frog are sold all along Guadalupe St.

The fame of the “Hi, How Are You?” frog also landed Johnston’s music on soundtracks and films. “Jeremiah the Innocent” even has jumped into the cyber world on an app for the iPhone. The game, featuring Johnston’s music and artwork, is called “Hi, How Are You” and is much like the popular game Frogger.

The “Jeremiah the Innocent” mural has become a staple of the “Keep Austin Weird” culture by demonstrating how Austin embraces “weird” people like Daniel Johnston. The “Hi, How Are You?” slogan expresses Austin’s open-minded and friendly culture.

If you are interested in finding out more about Austin’s open-minded culture or are looking for a place to live where the people “keep it weird,” perform an Austin Home Search and let Realtor Brian Talley help you find the perfect fit.

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