MuzicNotez: First off, it’s an honor to be doing this interview with you Grace, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us.
What motivated you to start creating music? What age did you begin?
Grace Johnson: I’ve sung my whole life, ever since I can remember. I started writing songs when I was around 10 years old. I would come up with short songs or lyrics and would write them down and I would keep them to myself. I’ve always made music, if there’s 2 people who listen to my music or 2000 people it’s all the same. I’ll keep making music and will be thankful for every listener I have. Something else I started at a young age was that I would listen to songs and keep the melody and change the words. I think what motivated me has always been my love for music. I’ve always loved music and creating music has always been second nature, something I’ve always done. Something I’ll always do. It’s just a part of me and who I am. Some people express themselves through the clothes they wear, I express myself through music.
MuzicNotez: As a young lady breaking into the music industry, what obstacles do you face related to your age and sex? Do you have advice for other young females that are pursuing a music career and may be struggling with these same issues?
Grace Johnson: That’s a good question. One of the things that I’ve noticed so far throughout my career is that a large amount of people in the music biz are male, it seems to be a very male dominated industry. People are caught off guard by me cause I’m this 16 year old kid that’s trying to make it big, but when they listen to my music they can tell that this is what I was born to do, it’s all I’ve ever known. Being a new young artist isn’t necessarily the easiest thing as well. I can’t play at some venues because I’m under age and also I feel like some people don’t take me as seriously because I am so young. I’m trying to improve my sound and get noticed, there’s a lot of great artists out there, I’m just one artist of many, it’s hard to find something that’s gonna set me apart from the pack. I’m not sure if I’m in the position to start giving out advice quite yet, I’m still trying to make a name for myself however some advice I have for other young artists trying to make it is to stay true to yourself and keep making the music you love, this is something I live by. Music is something you can’t half ass, you need to really want it and to throw yourself into it and work hard. You need to be strong and remember why you’re making music and ignore all the criticism and speculation.
MuzicNotez: How has music affected your personal life and school?
Grace Johnson: Music hasn’t overly affected my personal life. I try to keep my music career and my personal life separate. The facade I put out there as an artist is much different then who I am as a person. I try to get to know people as myself and not mix business with personal matters. I have to make decisions in my personal life and school, I’ve had to choose between getting a project done or staying up late at the studio or going to a party or to a friends house. As a musician I always want to create and listen to songs and practice so school has always been hard for me. Sitting back and letting someone else call the shots has never sat well with me.
MuzicNotez: Who were your musical influences, idols, or bands growing up that have helped mold you into the musician you are today? Or helped mold the music that you create?
Grace Johnson: I have lots and lots of musical influences. Some of my influences now are Adele, Queen, Lorde, The Chevin, Imagine Dragons, Elvis, Damien Rice, Ed Sheeran, Rihanna, Michael Jackson, aerosmith, Taylor Swift, Coldplay, The Script, Brittany Spears, Calbi Colbat, I could list all of my inspirations but it would take all day. These musicians have all really influenced me. They’ve showed me what good music was and helped inspire me to write music. I get inspiration from different artists by watching interviews, performances and by listening to the lyrics of different artist’s songs. Reading about the lives of different musicians and listening to different interviews is like a whisper in my head saying “You’re not alone”. “there’s other people out there like you.” It’s something that I find comfort in, knowing that there are other people in the world who are just as infatuated with music as I am.
MuzicNotez: What’s the ultimate goal you want your music to achieve, or for you to achieve in your career as a musician? Any particular message you wish to send?
Grace Johnson: My goal is for as many people to hear my music as possible. I love music and I can’t imagine a day in my life where I wouldn’t be completely consumed with music. I hope to create as many albums as possible and to tour the world spreading my music with me. I love people and performing and most of all music and I want to share that with as many people as possible. I have a lot to say and I really do believe in my music. I believe that I can really positively impact some lives and hopefully open some eyes and enlighten others on my outlook of life. I will always be improving my sound and I will always write my own songs. I want to help as many people as I can and share my music with as many people as possible. That’s the goal. Who knows if I’ll reach it or how close I will come to it, but until I reach that goal or until the day I die I’m going to be working towards that goal.
MuzicNotez: What’s the greatest concert you’ve ever been to or performed?
Grace Johnson: Sadly, I’ve only been to one concert and that was when I was a little kid, I went to a Hillary Duff concert with my sister when I was around 9, she really liked her, I was pretty young so I don’t think I understood much about music. I don’t remember much of it, just that it was really loud and that I couldn’t see Hilary well from where I was sitting. For some reason I thought that it was going to be an intimate setting where everyone could see each other and where we all just relaxed and enjoyed music and I could reach out and grab Hilary’s hand. It was not like that at all, there was a lot of screaming instead.
MuzicNotez: Are there any songs written in your album, “Lions in my Head”, that are real life experiences with a story behind the lyrics?
Grace Johnson: In some way or another all my songs do personally relate to me. “Light it Up” is the song that I think relates to me the most. When I wrote that song I was going through a change in my life, I was getting over an ex-boyfriend, I was in the midst of switching schools and I was truthfully cleaning up my life. I wanted to write a song about letting go of old ties, moving on from negative experiences and simply enjoying life and living in the moment. It’s my revelation song, it’s the song that gives me strength and reminds me of my strength and everything that I have done so far in my life.
MuzicNotez: What else are you working on? What can we expect to see and hear from you in the future?
Grace Johnson: This is just the beginning, I’ve been writing a lot lately, I’m getting ready to start recording again for my next EP. I’m going to be posting more covers on my YouTube account and I’ll make sure to keep everyone updated on what I’m up to.
MuzicNotez: Anything else you wish to say about yourself or your music? Any message for your fans?
Grace Johnson: I want to thank everyone for their support so far, I am very appreciative of every single piece of feedback and every fan I have, every small thing counts. I’ve gotten so far, every like, and every comment. It means a lot to me. There’s more to come so I hope you stay with me through this journey. It should be a hell of a ride.
Interview conducted by MuzicNotez writer Julet Lagto @JALMuzicNotez