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Alexz Johnson Interview — Plugged In Promotions

November 25th, 2014 by robby

Here is another interview that took place during CMJ. This was conducted by Plugged In Promotions:

Alexz Johnson Blazes Her Own Musical Path (INTERVIEW) — ReadTheHorn.com

November 25th, 2014 by robby

This is an article/interview from ReadtheHorn.com about Alexz. They reviewed “Let ‘Em Eat Cake” earlier this year:

Source

When singer-songwriter Alexz Johnson moved to New York City in 2012 to pursue her music career full time, she already had more performance experience under her belt than anyone would expect from a 26-year-old artist. Since beginning her acting and singing career at the age of eleven, she had spent more than half of her life in front of a camera or behind a microphone.

At thirteen, she became a Disney starlet, landing the lead role on the show So Weird. Later, she earned parts in the Canadian series Instant Star and the blockbuster film Final Destination 3. But none of this means you should think of Johnson as another actress-turned-singer.

“There wasn’t really a switch. I just decided to give music my main focus since moving to NYC,” says Johnson. “[I’ve] been touring ever since.”

Johnson released her first album, Voodoo, in 2010 and followed it with the release of several EPs, all of which showcased her smooth, sultry vocals. However, her most recent release, Let ‘Em Eat Cake, which came out earlier this year (REVIEW), builds on her vocal talent by showing a more mature, reflective side to Johnson’s songwriting capabilities.

“It took almost two years from the time the first song on Cake was written to the last song being mastered,” says Johnson. “Sometimes I write to my guitar, or if I’m co-writing with a producer, I like writing the lyrics and top line over a beat. It changes every time.”

Though Voodoo in no means sounds unpolished, Cake has the kind of depth and intimacy that only come with age, experience and, of course, masterful production. Changing producers also helped Johnson evolve her sound.

“My brother and I produced [Voodoo],” Johnson says, adding, “Let ‘Em Eat Cake was different in that some of these songs were written with different people. [The album] was produced by David Kahne in NYC [and] working with him was a cool experience.”

While one of Johnson’s biggest gifts is the soul she brings to her music, she also gives off a rock and roll energy that tends to be a rarity among most pop artists and is a talent even popular soulful singers like Adele don’t bring to the table.

Regardless of her demanding tour schedule (she said she uses spare time to catch some extra sleep in her van), Johnson is able to tap into this energy when she steps onstage and create a relationship with her fans that she says means “everything” to her.

“I love playing live,” says Johnson. “It’s my favorite part of being a musician.”

Whether or not her experience as an actress has helped her develop her strong stage presence, she is less certain. “I’m not sure, as I’ve done both [singing and acting] for so long. I’m leaning towards the acting being a positive contribution when performing on stage.”

Despite the sonic differences between her music and most other current artists, Alexz Johnson often draws comparisons to popular young songstresses like Lana Del Rey and Grace Potter, which she says she takes “as a compliment.” However, Johnson prefers not to get swept up in current music, and instead, curates a more classic sound in her own, elaborating, “I hope people pull soul and timelessness from my live show.”

When it comes to inspiration for this sound, Johnson said she draws more from her life experiences, “the good and the bad,” than she does from the music of those before her.

“I’m always changing and growing,” Johnson says. “[Let ‘Em Eat Cake] represents a chapter of my life: being 28, getting stronger. I want this album to be uplifting.”

Alexz Johnson has the kind of soulful vocals and knack for writing catchy and moving melodies, accompanied by more than her fair share of sheer talent, that suggest it will not be long until she is discovered and loved by the masses. Combined with her tenacity and performance skills, one thing is for certain: Alexz Johnson is here to stay.

Alexz Johnson plays Stubb’s BBQ (Indoors) Saturday, November 29

Jared & the Mill and Patrick Droney also play

Doors at 9PM, Tickets $12-15 (BUY NOW)

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Eclectic ‘Cake’: Alexz Johnson makes a stop in Santa Fe — ABQJournal.com

November 21st, 2014 by robby

This is a short article and interview Alexz did for ABQJournal.com.

Source

There are plenty of little things Alexz Johnson is grateful for while on tour. One of the biggest – the weather.

“There’s been lots of driving and we’ve been fortunate to have some great weather,” she says during a recent phone interview. “The tour has been great so far.”

Johnson is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is touring in support of her recently released album “Let Em Eat Cake.” With the album, the 28-year-old has put a focus back on her music.

“It’s taken two years to get the album together,” she says. “This was a lot of hard work and I’m happy with the results.”

Johnson’s music career was on the back burner as she built up her career in acting. She is best known for her role as Jude Harrison in the Canadian TV series “Instant Star.” She’s also starred in the Disney Channel’s “So Weird” as Annie Thelen and forayed into film with her role as Erin Ulmer in 2006′s “Final Destination 3.”

Johnson says while acting has brought in some money and continuous work, music has always been at the heart of her soul.

“Of course, I would love to be on a regular series because I would have a paycheck coming in regularly,” she says. “Right now, I’m giving my all to music because I want to see where it can take me.”

Johnson’s music is eclectic in that so many different genres inspire her.

Growing up, she never really listened to popular radio.

“My parents played some of their favorites and these were songs that weren’t radio hits,” she says. “This inspired me to delve deeper into other artists. This is where I figured out that so many genres inspire me.”

Johnson currently resides in New York and says the city was the inspiration behind the album.

“Living in Brooklyn, there are so many talented musicians,” she says. “This was my point of inspiration on the album. I’m sure it will change for the next.”