Interview with Angela Johnson


Q: You've begun playing the piano at the tender age of four and at age nine you picked up the violin. With this resumé I'd rather expected that you would have tried to pursue a career as classical musician. What or who has influenced you to become a singer/songwriter/producer?

Angela Johnson: I was brought up on Gospel and Soul/R&B long before I was introduced to classical music. The violin was a vehicle to get into school. I remember lots of times when I should have been practicing scales, I was at the piano writing songs. Becoming a songwriter was a natural progression for me. At the age of 4, I began making up songs. I'm not sure who I was influenced by other than my mother. I loved watching her play at the piano singing gospel.

Q: Please tell me how you met the other guys of Cooly's Hot Box and how important was Cooly's Hot Box for you to pursue your solo career?

Angela Johnson: Well, I met Christian and the rest of the crew in college. We were all music majors at the time. Cooly's Hot Box definitely played an important role in my career. Not only in helping me to find my voice and talent as a writer and producer, but it helped me with my confidence on stage. I used to be terrified of being in front.

Q: Who or what inspires you to write your songs? And how do you develop your songs? Do you sit down at the piano or keyboard playing a melody and then the rest falls into place or how does it happen?

Angela Johnson: Most of the time I'm at the drum machine creating a beat and I'll come up with a bass line. Instantly, I'll hear a melody and I'll dress it up with some chords. I'm inspired by many things. It could be hearing a favorite song or artist on the radio, a conversation with someone, or I could be zoning out and create an entire production in my head based on a line I've sung to myself.

Q: You're also working on a project as producer with guests including Rahsaan Patterson, DJ Spinna and Deni Hines. Please tell me more about this. What other guest do you like to include and what do you want to achieve with this record?

Angela Johnson: I have done some work with Deni Hines and DJ Spinna in the past, but the producer project is another project I'm involved in. I wanted to create another way for me to do some collaborating. The producer project came about and I've stepped into the background to feature some of the great singer/songwriter/vocalists I've admired over the past and present. To name a few, I've written and recorded with Rahsaan Patterson, Gordon Chambers, and Laurnea. I'm really excited about it!

Q: As far as I remember from the early Cooly's Hot Box releases on the UK label Sole Music the band had more success in the UK then in the USA (funny enough that I thought then Cooly's Hot Box were a British band) in the beginning. How does it look today as Angela Johnson? Is it same kind of a prophet is not without honour save in his own country or has your home country finally recognised your talent?

Angela Johnson: Here in the US, Cooly's Hot Box was often mistaken for a British band. I think it's because most of the new live soul music (during the early 90's) was coming from the UK. They had a face and a sound; Brand New Heavies, Incognito, Jamiroquai etc. It's different now. Our audience has grown quite a bit. It's in fashion for some, if you know what I mean. For those who've been around and are true to the soul scene, I've been recognized as a genuine artist. I'm proud of that.

Q: Where do you see your musical progression as an artist with Got To Let It Go compared to your debut album?

Angela Johnson: I've grown so much. I had a lot more confidence creating the new album. Therefore, my vocals and production were improved.

Q: In the liner notes to your new CD you've thanked some other artists like Seek, Fertile Ground, Julie Dexter, Anthony David, Alison Crockett or Laurnea who all release their music on their own imprints or on small independent labels. What do you think of the music scene today? Do you think major labels should invest more into the longevity of a musician or do you think that with the power of word of mouth and distribution via the internet there's really no need for the soul underground to become part of the mainstream?

Angela Johnson: Wow! That's a tough question. I think artist are searching for whatever avenues to get there music heard. Whether we go mainstream or underground, most of us are just happy to have the opportunity. It would make more sense for major labels to look into longevity of artists, but I don't think that's the case. From my view, they only care about 'what's hot, now.' An artist takes time to develop. It also takes time to develop a true following. Your fans will support you until the end. The internet has definitely taken the underground scene to another level. It helped with distribution and getting the word out there by helping us be accessible.

Q: Will you tour (continental) Europe to promote your album? And if are there already dates confirmed?

Angela Johnson: I do plan to tour Europe. I've always wanted to. No dates are confirmed, so, I'd rather not say.

Q: I and the readers of jazz-not-jazz.com are always eager for good music, can you recommend a few artists who have inspired you in recent times?

Angela Johnson: I have this one new artist in mind. Raul Midon (Blue Note), who I hope to work with someday, is an amazing musician. He's the real deal! I'm in awe of his voice, songwriting, and guitar skills. If you haven't heard of him, you will soon!

For more infos visit angelajohnson.com, purposerecords.com and domerecords.co.uk and read my review of Got To Let It Go.