Today we’d like to introduce you to Jana Johnson.
Hi Jana, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started singing in the shower and at home when I was little. My dad made me join the church kids choir when I was about 7 or 8 and it was where I sang my first solo! From then on, I still mostly sang in my room and took piano lessons, but I finally sang in front of an audience for my 5th grade talent show (with my back towards them because of how the piano was set up and my nerves). I didn’t really sing in public again until high school, when I started posting singing videos on YouTube and participated in my high school’s talent shows.
When my Youtube video views started to increase, I started getting emails for private auditions for televised singing shows – American Idol, The Voice, The Four, America’s Got Talent, etc. I had constant auditions for about 2 years and got rejected from every single one. As a last resort I sought out a vocal coach, Coach Roxy, to figure out why I kept facing rejections. After about two months I auditioned and got cast in the annual Motown & More Revue show at Miller Outdoor Theatre. That winter, I was cast in the holiday musical at the Ensemble Theatre. After the play and during 2020 specifically, I began to focus on covers and building my social media.
The producer D.Bottz saw my videos and offered to help me create my first EP. It was originally supposed to be 4 songs but we ended up releasing 8 on my first project “In Retrospect” in May 2021. Since then I’ve been performing locally, learning more about the music recording process, and writing and recording songs.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been smooth at all. I struggle a lot with doubting myself and my abilities, and it’s really hard to motivate myself when I’m feeling down. My current struggle is thinking of music as a business instead of just a passion. As an independent artist you have to wear many hats, like managing yourself and your social media, establishing a brand, styling yourself for photos and performances, networking, writing your music, scheduling your releases, etc. It’s extremely overwhelming but I’m thankful for the help I do receive from friends and family. As of recently, I have a manager, and she’s helped lift some of the burdens.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a singer/songwriter and I love to accompany my voice by playing piano and guitar. I would say I’m known for my vocal tone and my runs. I learned how to ‘run’ by slowing down Jazmine Sullivan and Tori Kelly songs and mimicking them, even if that required me playing every note on my keyboard. I think my vocal talent and song lyrics set me apart because when I write songs, I write about personal experiences and try to be as vulnerable as possible. I don’t have a lot of music out, but I’m excited to see how my talent as a songwriter grows and where it will take me.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters to me the most is that I enjoy the process. There are so many stressors for independent artists but I try to maintain the perspective that it’s ok if I don’t get everything right the first time. All that matters is I try my best, and celebrate myself for learning each day and stepping outside of my comfort zone doing what I love.
Contact Info:
- Email: janaj.music@gmail.com
- Website: https://beacons.ai/janaj
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janajmusic/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jana-J-108729934081781
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/_jananicolle
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/JanaJohnson33
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jana-j-790632030
Image Credits
Cassidy Dixon (@workthatcass)
