Josephine Johnson

www.josephinejohnsonsings.com
Josephine Johnson’s brand of soulful, earthy, and transcendent folk feels tender, hitting close-to-the-skin, while at the same time clearly dredged from somewhere deep. With a talent for crafting stirring, relatable songs, the Indiana native is known as a fiercely independent artist and an outspoken believer in the strength of women. The first in her family to attend college, Johnson earned a Master’s degree in English that led to an appreciation of language apparent in the striking clarity and originality of her lyrics. Her breakthrough album The Spark features a blend of soul, country, and folk arranged by famed producer John Vanderslice and keys player Rob Shelton. The Spark showcases Johnson’s vulnerable yet powerful vocals, reminiscent of the gritty sincerity of Karen Dalton and the loose, heartfelt delivery of Janis Joplin, but with a refinement and ease that sets Johnson’s voice apart. Enhanced by Johnson’s Mainland tenor ukulele and backed by warm horns, real keys, and lap-steel guitar, songs on The Spark are both anthemic and personal, creating a sense of the dream-world mixing with the visceral facts of life in the real world. “It takes a certain amount of time to figure out your craft and develop your stories, and this work isn’t easy. But it’s worth it.”