Today we’d like to introduce you to Nedy Johnson

Hi Nedy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

I like to say that I’ve been a singer since I was in the womb. Even though I grew up poor, I joined choir and talent shows off and on throughout elementary school. In 6th grade, students in the Anchorage School District are basically forced to learn an instrument in either band or orchestra, which was a blessing and a luxury! Through band, I learned how to read sheet music, and gained a very basic understanding of music theory.

I stayed in band for three years, but had to give it up in high school. That’s where any semblance of formal music education stopped.

However, my love for singing never died. So in college, I taught myself how to play guitar and piano using YouTube tutorials and Skillshare. In April 2019 at my first open mic, I met my mentor, Katie Gill, and I quickly began taking voice lessons with her. Over the next three years, she worked hard on breaking my poor vocal habits and instilling proper breathing technique and diction.

But the greatest talent she fostered was the Art of Songwriting. The various interpretations of a single word, the poetry of a verse, making sure to include bridges in my songs (because I wasn’t doing that at first). I mean, we once spent 45 minutes arguing over the word “so!”

In 2021, I began writing what has now become my debut EP, “To You.” And in January 2023, I met my current mentor, Phillip Peterson, as we began production. I’ve spent the past year ingratiating myself into the Seattle music scene: busking, open mics, networking. I’ve even created the We Support Local Music Showcase and Spotify playlist with Phil, where we highlight local artists who may not yet have other opportunities to perform as a headliner.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

Money was a major factor growing up. I was in raised in poverty, so obviously, we didn’t have money for music lessons. But I was born and raised in Anchorage, AK. Fortunately, the school district had amazing music programs available. So I had the opportunity to join choir intermittently, and everyone had to do band/orchestra for at least a year (they even let you rent an instrument for only $25/year).

That’s not to say money still wasn’t a challenge. Because I grew up poor, everyone around me suffered from the “poverty mindset.”. Whenever I said I wanted to be a singer, people didn’t accept the idea. No one flat out told me not to, but no one really supported any effort I put into it. Making a career in anything creative is just seen as a fairytale when you grew up in this environment; cute but unrealistic.

That caused me to ditch the dream. Though, like I said, the dream never really died. It wasn’t until I went out-of-state for college that I slowly began testing the waters. I enjoyed the process and continued going for it on my own. The people back home weren’t going to support me, so I was gonna support myself.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

I’m known for my soulful vocal stylings and narrative songwriting.

My songs have a greater purpose to them, even if the lyrics themselves don’t seem that deep. It’s very clear to any first-time audience member that I choose my setlists and track lists purposefully.

I want listeners to sit in and experience their emotions. So often we’re taught to “logic” our way out of feeling; it’s my goal to counteract that. And that’s obvious to anyone that listens to a single song of mine.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?

My favorite book is “Everything I Never Told You” by Celeste Ng. It’s the first piece of media I’ve seen depict the race and gender relations that occur within a single, mixed-race family. The book details each family members’ feelings about the death of the oldest daughter, Lydia. The ultimate message of the novel is that many of the festering emotions could have been resolved – and Lydia’s death would have been avoided – if any member of the family just spoke to each other.

And it’s that theme, that idea, that drives me in all things.

But it’s not all serious :p I also listen to a lot of film analysis podcasts and YouTube videos, like: The Bechdel Cast, Black Men Can’t Jump [in Hollywood], Movies Explained For, ModernGurlz, etc. I love The Basement Yard and Best Friends with Nicole Byer and Sasheer Zamata (as well as the other 5,000 of Nicole’s podcasts)!

Pricing:

• $10 for “To You (Deluxe)” digital download – www.nedyjohnson.com

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nedyjohnson.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nedy.johnson
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nedy.johnson
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nedy.johnson

Image Credits

Dale Batoon; Matthew Clifford; Victory Rose; Asia Tanis