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"What About Love?" October 2012 Album Review
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IN THE CLOSET PRODUCTIONS
INGRID D. JOHNSON/What About Love?: Oscar Brown would be proud. With a...IN THE CLOSET PRODUCTIONS
INGRID D. JOHNSON/What About Love?: Oscar Brown would be proud. With a vibe that finds it's roots in 60s message music, Johnson moves the sound from the church basement up to the main sanctuary and rocks up a soulful message of hope through despair. Certainly not everyone's cup of tea, anyone grappling with the messes reality can make might just find this a welcome musical rope offering some light at the end of the tunnel that isn't an on coming train.
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Ingrid D Johnson; Art for Hope October 2012
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By Darcy Penner
For over half a decade, Ingrid D. Johnson has been creating and publishing poetry...By Darcy Penner
For over half a decade, Ingrid D. Johnson has been creating and publishing poetry, music, spoken word, and videos, all with the purpose of sharing a positive message of overcoming childhood sexual abuse and violence against women. Johnson founded her own publication social enterprise, In The Closet Productions, to further her work and “inspire those wounded by childhood sexual abuse and other forms of trauma… to do more than just survive their past — to overcome it!” Her career has included many successes, from wide exposure throughout provincial and national media, to partnering with many community organizations, to being included in The Manitoba Women’s Advisory Council and Mentoring Artist’s for Women’s Art’s publication, Women In the Arts: Artists Working for Social Change.
On Sunday, October 7th, Johnson will be celebrating the release of her debut full length, What About Love?, at The Park Theatre Cafe. Recorded at Studio 11 by Jason Gordon, Johnson is joined by her backup band, The Funky Fresh Crew, to create a heart-filled blend of gospel, blues, and pop. Johnson took the time this week to answer a few questions for Stylus.
Head down to the Park on Sunday night to see Johnson’s set: doors at 7:15, tickets $15 advance/$20 at the door (includes CD).
Ingrid D. Johnson – Come Back
Stylus: As an artist, you work in multiple mediums, including music, spoken word, and poetry. How does working within and publishing in different mediums benefit your art and your message?
Ingrid D. Johnson: Publishing in different mediums allows me to share my thoughts, feelings, concerns and ideas with a more diverse audience. This is especially true with the medium of music because music is such a fun, creative, influential and universal medium for expressing important ideas, attitudes, thoughts, and feelings. It is also the medium that I find the most challenging (in a positive way) and the most rewarding because it is the medium that challenges me to learn more and to grow more, as a developing singer/songwriter.
Stylus: Can you elaborate on the writing process for the songs on this album?
Johnson: The writing process went something like this for my debut singer/songwriter album ”What About Love?”.
Step one: I like to start with a clear understanding of everything and everyone’s part before I start working with anyone in the creative process.
Step two: After that, I sang my original songs (lyrics and melody) with a clear idea of what I expect for my songs to sound like to my band of 5 musicians.
Step three: We worked together to come up with the right style and mood of music to match my lyrics, melody, and unique voice.
Step four: I amend my lyrics, melody, or the phrasing to make my original song work with the music they created, without sacrificing the heart and soul of the message or story I am trying to express in my song.
Step five: My band arranges the music, charts the music, and adds any embellishments needed to enhance the feel/mood of the songs. Then, we practise it together and record it at the studio.
Step six: We listen to the recording several times and make corrections to the song before the final mix.
Step seven: We sit with the studio engineer and fine tune all the instruments and make sure they blend well with vocal tracks and add little ornaments to complete the overall listening experience before mastering the songs. That’s the process.
Stylus: Your work is extremely honest and open about your past, life journey, and personal struggles. Where do you find the courage to be so public with issues such as childhood sexual abuse?
Johnson: To be honest the courage and strength to be so open and honest about my life, in my work, comes from my deep Christian faith.
Stylus: How do you understand the power of art to heal and overcome?
Johnson: I believe art was created as a tool to help people to work through emotions that are hard to deal with. It helps you to express yourself more clearly, which helps you to come to a deeper understanding of yourself, the world around you, and sometimes even others around you. It is a powerful tool to use in the healing process but not the source of healing itself.
Stylus: Some of your past work has commented on the contrast between the media’s perception of womanhood and the reality of the female experience (notably “The Real Woman,” 2006). How do you think this distortion affects our relationships, and the daily experience of both women and men? How do you think your work rejects this distortion? What type of tangible evidence do you look for that feminist voices are succeeding in resisting the norms imposed by a traditionally-sexist mass media?
Johnson: I believe the women being portrayed in the media today are still different from everyday women, although there have been some improvements. I see these improvements in block buster movies where leading actresses are looking more real and less like fantasy. However, I still believe we have a ways to go in portraying positive, female role models in media, music and entertainment. Mainly because, the media today still focus heavily on the ascetics of being a woman and abusing ones sexuality, which only confuses and misleads a lot of young girls and even adult women into overly promoting their sexuality, instead of honouring who they are as a whole person. This of course impacts how women and men see and relate to each other in our every day world.
With that said, I believe my work rejects this distortion of womanhood by revealing the humanity in being a woman (IE: In the “Real Woman video” I show women speaking about their insecurities, a woman (me) doing everyday things like using the bathroom, and I speak about being an imperfect woman). In fact, in my art, the fantasy woman is the awkward, uncomfortable image and the real woman is the woman that does not need to be dressed up in order to be celebrated for her unique and beautiful spirit.
Stylus: In The Closet, the production company you founded and are CEO of, is based on “strong Christian Values,” and you reference your faith as a major source of strength. How does your faith influence your art and your social enterprise?
Johnson: My faith influences my art and enterprise in this way, I try my best to do everything in a respectful and loving way. I try to treat others as I would like to be treated. I try to create my music and art that is honest, offers positive messages that teaches good values, and I do my best to run my business with integrity.
Stylus: Given the value you attribute to faith for healing, what are the implications for a healing process of someone with no religious faith?
Johnson: I think that healing happens on several levels. Physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual. I believe everything begins in the spiritual and manifests itself in the psychological, emotional and physical aspects of a persons being. To deal with everything on the physical, psychological or emotional level only, while neglecting the spiritual, I believe is a temporary fix. Eventually, you will have to go deeper to a place beyond human reasoning … to the spirit of the problem in order to completely heal and eventually overcome the problem. After all, we are more than just human beings, we are spiritual beings. Meaning we have a spirit. That is what I think and believe.
Stylus: In The Closet has released lots of your work, including two collections of your poetry, a compilation album you performed on and curated, multiple music videos, and now your debut full length, What About Love? How do you strike a balance between your art and your social enterprise? Does your art career have an existence and trajectory to itself independent of In The Closet?
Johnson: In The Closet Productions was created as a platform for me to share my story of learning to overcome the impact of childhood sexual abuse through various forms of art, and to share other stories about various social issues. It is my legacy - my life’s work that I hope to leave behind. It’s mission anchors me to a solid purpose for my creativity while it’s vision helps me to always consider sharing the stories of others who can not speak up for themselves.
In The Closet Productions mission reminds me ( as an artist) that when I am making music and art that I always have a social and spiritual responsibility to my audience. It reminds me that I am not just making art for art sake. I am making art and music to address important social issues, to offer hope, to inspire, to help and not to hurt others for selfish gain. And although I had an emerging art career before my company was founded, without my company’s mission and vision I would have no vision and no sense of direction as an artist.
So, no, my art is not separate from my company’s mission and vision … they are intertwined and they always will be. They exist together harmoniously because my life influences my art and hopefully echoes the lives of others in need of hope and inspiration in order to overcome adversity.
Stylus: What are your goals for this album, and how it will affect your career?
Johnson: The goals for my album are also goals that help to promote me as an artist and also achieve my company’s mission and vision. Achieving these goals with this album would not only establish me as a successful, nationally and internationally, recognized artist but it would also make In The Closet Productions a prosperous socially and spiritually conscious music, entertainment and production company.
Stylus: What are your plans after the release show?
Johnson: The plan after my CD release party is to keep working, diligently, on improving my music and my art by training, practising, and performing. In addition to diligently working on achieving those business goals, listed above, by looking, asking, and applying for more opportunities to promote my music, my art, my story, and my company’s mission / vision.
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HEALING WOUNDS WITH WORDS 2010
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http://www.themanitoban.com/articles/20779
HEALING WOUNDS WITH WORDS
Local artist Ingrid D. Jo...http://www.themanitoban.com/articles/20779
HEALING WOUNDS WITH WORDS
Local artist Ingrid D. Johnson reveals her soul
noreen mae ritsema | 10/5/09
Tagged with: poetry, local, ingrid johnson
Fresh from the release of her second book, Wounded Souls: A Collection of Poems and Songs, and its companion spoken-word CD, Wounded Souls Vol. 1 & 2, Ingrid D. Johnson is basking in hope and gratitude. A Winnipeg-based artist with a deep message, she is a survivor of sexual abuse who uses words and music to piece together her own life as an offering of hope to others.
Johnson’s first book, Little Black Butterfly in Iridescent Sunlight, came out four years ago. According to Ingrid, it was a catalyst for major personal life transformations. This meant honestly confronting friendships and relationships that were unhealthy and manipulative. “I feel my new poems reflect my struggle to forgive and let go of the past, ways the abuse affected my voice and sense of personal boundaries, and my spiritual struggle to overcome all the anger, loss, pain, resentment, bitterness and sadness I felt and expressed in my first book. This new book is more positive. It offers truth, hope, healing and inspiration instead of anger, venom, rage, profanity and bitterness.” These empowering messages are evident throughout Johnson’s new poetry as self-affirming themes resonate from each chapter.
Taking a more intimate look at the possibility of an interconnected role between poetry and healing, Johnson acknowledges that poetry is a beautiful medium of expression among many, such as music, film and dance. This eclectic approach to artful forms of expression may help explain how Johnson manages to successfully delve into the music world with her second spoken word CD and as a songwriter and collaborator on Flo’s self-titled album. Johnson elaborates on this fusion by explaining how “sexual abuse destroys your spirit and makes you feel wounded, dirty, broken, numb and dead inside. Belief in God's love restored my soul (my mind, will and emotions) faith, trust, hope and belief in love again. Poetry is an outlet, not the source of my hope, faith, victory, inspiration or healing. God is my source. I know not everyone will agree with this — I can respect that — but this is my belief and what I live by.”
Having endured so much adversity early in life, Johnson’s positive messages and life example are indeed motivating. She shares that “my love for people who are hurting and lost is also an inspiration to write, and my anger towards people’s ignorance and lack of care for other victims and survivors drives me to speak up for the voiceless. I work with kids in care and [my] sincerest hope is that my words, my life and my story will inspire at least one of them to be a success.” It is also this love, strength and compassion that has Johnson donating a portion of her book and CD sales to a local organization that provides services to women who were sexually abused as children, the Laurel Centre.
According to Statistics Canada, one in three girls and one in six boys are sexually assaulted by age 18 and a horrifying 97 per cent of these young sexual abuse victims know their perpetrators. As these sexual abuse survivors become adults, 70–80 per cent of them report excessive drug and alcohol abuse. These statistics validate the need for the programs that the Laurel Centre offers. Ingrid offers the following advice to people who find themselves in sexually abusive situations and relationships: “You are not alone. When you are ready, tell your story and don't stop telling it until someone listens and helps you to do something good to counteract it. Overcoming sexual abuse begins with surviving — coping — but you have to confront the abuse and learn from its impact on you in order to overcome it before you can help others.”
With faith and these powerful messages, Ingrid D. Johnson has launched her own production company called In The Closet Productions. She reveals that her future plans are ambitious and realistic: “I am writing my first non-fiction novel, developing my voice as a new singer-songwriter, planning new community projects and praying that I will attract a compassionate promoter and sponsor/investor and agent to help me with my national and international tour, A Voice for The Voiceless, so I can share my story, perform my spoken word/poems and perform my original music.” With clarity and confidence, Johnson’s new works create a path of hope that can help many wounded souls heal.
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Ingrid D. Johnson Is No Longer a Wounded Soul! 2010
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http://start.shaw.ca/Start/enCA/Local+Content/Manitoba/Winnipeg/BackStage.htm
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Ingrid D. Johnson Is No Longer a Wounded Soul!
Johnson's new CD is entitled Wounded Soul, but her new outlook on life is definitely brighter! She shares her compelling story of survival and finding the courage and strength to make it on her own and on her own terms.
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Ingrid D. Johnson sings for Shaw's Holiday Music!
Ingrid D. Johnson performs her favourite Christmas song, and has a soft spot for Shaw TV too! This new up and coming singer songwriter has her own company and CD out too!
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Ingrid D. Johnson Using her music to heal wounded souls 2010
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http://www.winnipegsun.com/entertainment/music/2010/01/20/12547226.html
Ingrid D. Johnson
Using ...http://www.winnipegsun.com/entertainment/music/2010/01/20/12547226.html
Ingrid D. Johnson
Using her music to heal wounded souls
By DARRYL STERDAN, WINNIPEG SUN
Last Updated: 20th January 2010, 5:51pm
In a world of shallow, self-centred pop music, Ingrid D. Johnson is clearly an artist with a higher calling. The local singer, poet and spoken-word performer uses her music to overcome the trauma of sexual abuse. Not surprisingly, Johnson speaks from the heart — even when answering my dumb questions.
* * *
* Who’s in the band?
Ingrid D. Johnson and The Funky Fresh Crew (Iesha Hutchinson, Tara De Castro, Phil collins, Steve Marten, Vaughn Poyser, Frank Rizzuto and Nick Mullin).
* How old are you?
33 — and getting younger and wiser everyday.
* What do you play?
We play a little pop fused with R&B and hip-hop, sprinkled with jazz, a spot of spoken-word, and at times a hint of reggae, folk, blues, and funk.
* What do you do for real money?
I work with high-needs children in care. My musicians live and breath music.
* Tell us about the band in 20 words or less.
Void of ego and ready to spiritually lift your mood — while kicking knowledge old-school.
* Describe your music in 20 words or less.
Unique ... yet oddly familiar and reminiscent of the 1930s.
* Describe your look and/or image in 20 words or less.
Smart, sexy, fun, bold, sophisticated, creative, fierce.
* Tell us about your CD.
A spiritual, emotional, and musical journey into the soul of a sexual abuse survivor on the path to overcoming her past and embracing her present and future.
* Why should we buy your CD?
It features many local, Winnipeg, artists, several genres of music, and a portion of the proceeds goes to Laurel Centre.
* How does your music make the world a better place?
Our music is “A voice for The Voiceless”. As an overcomer of sexual abuse, finding myself, my voice, discovering my gifts, developing a strong Christian faith, and pursuing my dreams with passion has restored me from being a “Wounded Soul” to a woman filled with purpose. I hope my music will inspire others to lift their voices, overcome their problems,come out of their closets, and share their stories ... so that we can all work together with God to stop sexual abuse.
* What’s your most original quality?
My creative writing skills.
* What’s your motto?
Dreams come true, not free ... so be in it to win it and hustle, hustle, hustle!
* Complete this sentence: This band runs on ...
Positive vibes from God surrounding us with his love energy. :)
* What’s your best song and what makes it so good?
You and Me, because it makes people happy and remember that love is not sex.
* Name a song you wish you had written and tell us why:
Say by John Mayer
The lyrics are so beautiful — “Love with your arms wide open.”
* Name a song you’re glad you didn’t write:
Snoop’s Drop it like it’s Hot. I just don’t like the message. Rap is more intelligent than that. I grew up on De La Soul, The Roots and other great rappers and I learned wisdom while being entertained. That is what all gifts are for — to teach us something positive and powerful.
* What are your favourite TV shows?
I love America’s Next Top Model because I once pursued modeling. I also LOVE The Hills. It reminds me of my 20s and how much drama there was.
* Your favourite movies?
Little Women.
* Your favourite books?
My favorite book is the Bible, but its not just a book to me.
* Any other favourite things?
Travel, travel, travel, ohhhhhh and my friend “Off-limits guy.”
* What is your most valued possession? And where do you keep it?
My relationship with God is my most valued possession and I keep that in my heart.
* What is your guilty pleasure?
Beef jerky.
* What are your favourite foods and drinks?
Shrimp, dried ribs and beer.
* What kind of food would you like named after you? And what would be in it?
Mud pie. Ingredients: chocolate, sugar, butter, milk, water, almonds, vanilla, etc.
* Name your favourite local musical act.
Flo.
* Now, name your favourite musical acts of all time.
Jim Morrison, Billie Holiday, Etta James, Leonard Cohen, Sade, Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, Garnet Silk, Damien Marley, De la Soul, Gaopelle, Gaelle and Amel Larrieux.
* Who would you be happy to be compared to?
Billie Holiday. She had limited vocal range but she used her voice like a horn and was able to reduce a crowd to tears.
* Who would you be insulted to be compared to?
No one ... everyone is a winner if they pursue their dream and get it — unless they abuse their power and hurt someone.
* Tell us about your best gig.
The WAG on Sept. 12, 2009 — my CD release party.
* Now tell us about your worst gig.
None. everything is a learning experience.
* OK, now describe your ultimate fantasy gig. Don’t hold anything back.
My ultimate fantasy gig would be playing The President of the United States’ Christmas Ball.
* What’s the best part of performing and/or touring?
The energy of the band and testing out the limits of my voice as I sing my songs and remember what inspired them.
* What’s the worst part of performing and/or touring?
Getting funding and the butterflies in my stomach before I perform.
* What are your pre-show rituals, superstitions and good luck charms?
Lots and lots of prayer, vocal exercises and my pitch pipe.
* If you have a backstage rider, what’s on it? If you don’t, what would you want?
I don’t have one. I would like bottled water, towels, some good food, a stereo system, a treadmill, and a laptop to record backstage stuff for YouTube.
* What’s the coolest piece of merch you sell?
A clock with my screaming face on it.
* What piece of merch would you love to sell?
Musical greeting cards.
* What is your current mode of transportation to gigs?
A cab, Winnipeg Transit, and rides from band members.
* How would you like to travel? Dream big.
A stretch limo with my own driver and wine would be nice.
* Pick your superpower.
Flight. Dreaming makes me feel like I am flying.
* Name one thing you want to do before you die.
Watch my great-grandchildren have children.
* What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever done?
I did the splits and ripped my pants in Grade 9.
* What’s the smartest thing you’ve ever done?
Read the Bible all the way through.
* Pretend I’m a heckler at your next gig. What do you do?
Ignore you until you get tired and annoyed. I would also focus on something positive like love.
* Complete this sentence: I’ll know I’m a success when ...
I let God influence my decisions. Then I am fair to everyone, including me.
* Now complete this sentence: I’ll know I’m a failure when ...
When I think everything is about ME, ME, ME. That is selfish. I try to stay away from that.
* What would it take to make you give up music?
Death or God telling me to let it go.
