Johanna Chase

Johanna Chase brought her I Heart People Tour to the High Dive last week and put on an energetic show for very appreciative fans. I would guess by the response she received she’ll be back here soon, but until then you can get some of her music right here. (for pictures follow link) - Back Beat Seattle

Interview/Review in San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, and Whittier Daily News
Johanna Chase isn't afraid to sing from the heart
By Naughty Mickie notymickie@earthlink.net
Strong and sentimental would be two words to describe Johanna Chase. She sits across from me on the patio in a Pasadena eatery, nibbling on lunch. Chase first comes across as an almost-tough, no-nonsense woman focused on her art, but as we chat, her softer side emerges slowly through her sweet smile to her openness about her struggles in life.
The Los Angeles singer/songwriter leads her band with her voice and guitar. Chase is joined by bassist Matthew Lee, saxophonist and woodwind player Matt Knapil and drummer Robert DeLong. The group has recently self-released the album, "Translator."
"I would say folk/funk," Chase describes the music. "because of the saxophone in there and I've been writing differently than I used to do. It's evolving. I'm a singer/songwriter and usually I write for my guitar and my voice, but with this CD, 'Translator,' it's half singer/songwriter style and half I'm writing for a band."
Chase usually brings her ideas to the band and they create their own parts. If it doesn't sound right to her, she will guide them to what she wants.
"Sometimes I'll sit down and I'll have something I'm trying to do, like a goal that I have with a song. Sometimes the whole song comes out at once, in those situations they just flow," explains Chase.
I ask her about her inspiration.
"I see a lot of dissonance all the time and sometimes I feel a lot of resolve or positive and optimistic feelings in life with my friends, but my life is very dissonant," says Chase. "I grew up in an Evangelical home and was Evangelical for a very long time and had to figure out what to do with that after I formed new ideas."
But her Christian background still comes into play in her music.
"But Christians are confused by and probably upset by it because to me, I think the teachings of Jesus for the most part make sense, but everything else that's become of that doesn't make sense to me any more," Chase shares. "This whole American Christianity is so far from what I understand of the teachings of Jesus and because of that it creates a lot of confusion."
Chase majored in Biblical studies and art when she attended Azusa Pacific University. Today she runs a music program for youth at All Saints Church in Pasadena in addition to her day job, working with adults with disabilities, where she teaches them independent living skills and also assists with in-home care.
"I live in an intention community and we do a lot of community projects and I 'm on the neighborhood council," adds Chase.
"I was six or so and my sister was playing violin," Chase tells me about her childhood. "I would take the violin and go in the closet and try to play it like a guitar. My parents bought me a ukulele when I was 10. I did the usual, I took piano and the wind instruments. I went through so many instruments that my parents were like, 'We're not going to invest in any more. You've got to pick one and you've got to buy it yourself.' So I bought my own guitar in sixth grade, an electric guitar, and that was it.
"I have an older brother with disabilities, he's three years older than me, and the thing that really broke through to him therapeutically was music," Chase goes on. "Music therapy, just playing music would get him to calm down so my whole childhood we were listening to music all the time."
"Translator" is Chase's fifth album. She was a junior in high school when she released her first album, which was put together with the help of a friend. She plans to tour the East Coast and then travel solo throughout California on the weekends through 2011 touting her new effort.
"Then I'll take a break," says Chase. "I just want to get my music out there. Everyone's making it up, how to do music, but in a good way. I just want to play live shows and I haven't played by myself in a long time."
I ask her to compare performing solo to doing shows with her group.
"It's just different playing with my band, it's more like a party. The energy is a little different, but when I'm performing solo it's really intimate and, I feel, captivating still even though it's so stripped down," replies Chase. She grins and adds, "I'm really excited for the album. It's going to be really good."
Find out more abut Johanna Chase at www.johannachase.com
Also visit my blogs at http://mickieszoo.blogspot.com and www.insidesocal.com/doodah
Return to DaBelly
© 2010 DaBelly Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
- San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News and Whittier Daily News

Johanna Chase is an alt-folk rock artist originally from the Seattle, WA area, but her studio resides in sunny Azuza, CA.

Johanna is like the female version of the Dave Matthews Band, but she delivers her own unique quality that has a sound that crosses hints of southern blues and bluegrass, but she is far more complicated than a simple genre tag or any band comparison.

Since the 5th grade after Johanna picked up the guitar for the first time, her desire transformed from merely playing the typical musical class instrument into discovering the tool that became her passion.

While in junior high, Johanna involved herself with several bands including a few church bands, so she always found a way to perform. Eventually, it led her first recorded single with the band, No Bigshot. This was a big step in Johanna’s music career, but she had ambitions to pursue a solo career as well.

After many opportunities with her pervious bands, Johanna finally moved to Los Angeles to expand her education and pursue more opportunities as an artist. In 2004, Johanna crossed a major milestone and released her first EP, “Not Nearly Enough”. In 2006, she release two more EP’s, “Less Talk, More Rock” and “A Pretty Kind of [off] White”, but it wasn’t until 2008 when Johanna met the band, The Denounement that she grew as a distinguished artist. Together, they put Johanna’s vocal and acoustic talent and combined folk with southern funk and bluegrass to create her next EP entitled, “Azuza”.


The release of "Azuza" was the turning point for Johanna's career with multiple city tours, recognition with a theme song place in an independent movie with the song “Yet to Come”, plus touring with several artists along the way to help catapult her career.

On August 20, Johanna is officially releasing her brand new full length CD, “Translator” at the Day Dream Republic Studio in Los Angeles.
"Translator" is chalk full of modern funk, rock, and soul. In this album, Johanna added her backup band which includes Robert DeLong, Matt Knapil, and Matthew Lee. Together with Johanna’s immense acoustic guitar talent and her incredible vocal strength, they give each other that unique sound that Johanna Chase needed to take her to the next level.

"Translator" does not only have a spontaneity qaulity, the entire album is pure enjoyment, blending an unruffled charm of the saxophone played by Matt Knapil in songs like “Joyful and Brave” and “Just Wait” that gives her music a grassy rooted sound that is traditional southern funk, but with a modern alternative rock kick.

“The songs were written for the specific band arrangement,” said Chase. “There are several songs that represent what I was hoping for.”


After listening to “Translator” and by comparing to Johanna’s previous music from her other EP’s including “Joyful and Brave”, “Azuza”, and “A Pretty Kind of [off] White”, it is hard to decide her best work. As for the composition, the arrangement, and production value, musically, “Translator” is the best so far, but looking at her music from an artist view point, each one of Johanna’s songs are full of artistic beauty and serenity.

"Translator the album 'sonically' sounds the best," said Chase. "We were able to capture what we sound like live more than any other project thus far."

Like the title song, "Translator" each song by Johanna is a miniature story of her life with a reflection of inner working thoughts that dig deep in her psyche.

“'Translator' is about living in the city, the world of economy, and it’s hard to define what is actually going on,” said Chase. “This song spilled out after I took a trip on the city bus in downtown Azuza, CA.”

Then, each song is delivered with the strength of multiple vocal registers and individually custom packaged with either a full band or engaged with a single acoustic guitar. No matter how each song is delivered, listening to Johanna is an undoubted treat. - All Indie Magazine

Johanna Chase isn't afraid to sing from the heart
By Naughty Mickie notymickie@earthlink.net

Strong and sentimental would be two words to describe Johanna Chase. She sits across from me on the patio in a Pasadena eatery, nibbling on lunch. Chase first comes across as an almost-tough, no-nonsense woman focused on her art, but as we chat, her softer side emerges slowly through her sweet smile to her openness about her struggles in life.
The Los Angeles singer/songwriter leads her band with her voice and guitar. Chase is joined by bassist Matthew Lee, saxophonist and woodwind player Matt Knapil and drummer Robert DeLong. The group has recently self-released the album, "Translator."
"I would say folk/funk," Chase describes the music. "because of the saxophone in there and I've been writing differently than I used to do. It's evolving. I'm a singer/songwriter and usually I write for my guitar and my voice, but with this CD, 'Translator,' it's half singer/songwriter style and half I'm writing for a band."
Chase usually brings her ideas to the band and they create their own parts. If it doesn't sound right to her, she will guide them to what she wants.
"Sometimes I'll sit down and I'll have something I'm trying to do, like a goal that I have with a song. Sometimes the whole song comes out at once, in those situations they just flow," explains Chase.
I ask her about her inspiration.
"I see a lot of dissonance all the time and sometimes I feel a lot of resolve or positive and optimistic feelings in life with my friends, but my life is very dissonant," says Chase. "I grew up in an Evangelical home and was Evangelical for a very long time and had to figure out what to do with that after I formed new ideas."
But her Christian background still comes into play in her music.
"But Christians are confused by and probably upset by it because to me, I think the teachings of Jesus for the most part make sense, but everything else that's become of that doesn't make sense to me any more," Chase shares. "This whole American Christianity is so far from what I understand of the teachings of Jesus and because of that it creates a lot of confusion."
Chase majored in Biblical studies and art when she attended Azusa Pacific University. Today she runs a music program for youth at All Saints Church in Pasadena in addition to her day job, working with adults with disabilities, where she teaches them independent living skills and also assists with in-home care.
"I live in an intention community and we do a lot of community projects and I 'm on the neighborhood council," adds Chase.
"I was six or so and my sister was playing violin," Chase tells me about her childhood. "I would take the violin and go in the closet and try to play it like a guitar. My parents bought me a ukulele when I was 10. I did the usual, I took piano and the wind instruments. I went through so many instruments that my parents were like, 'We're not going to invest in any more. You've got to pick one and you've got to buy it yourself.' So I bought my own guitar in sixth grade, an electric guitar, and that was it.
"I have an older brother with disabilities, he's three years older than me, and the thing that really broke through to him therapeutically was music," Chase goes on. "Music therapy, just playing music would get him to calm down so my whole childhood we were listening to music all the time."
"Translator" is Chase's fifth album. She was a junior in high school when she released her first album, which was put together with the help of a friend. She plans to tour the East Coast and then travel solo throughout California on the weekends through 2011 touting her new effort.
"Then I'll take a break," says Chase. "I just want to get my music out there. Everyone's making it up, how to do music, but in a good way. I just want to play live shows and I haven't played by myself in a long time."
I ask her to compare performing solo to doing shows with her group.
"It's just different playing with my band, it's more like a party. The energy is a little different, but when I'm performing solo it's really intimate and, I feel, captivating still even though it's so stripped down," replies Chase. She grins and adds, "I'm really excited for the album. It's going to be really good."
Find out more abut Johanna Chase at www.johannachase.com

Also visit my blogs at http://mickieszoo.blogspot.com and www.insidesocal.com/doodah
Return to DaBelly
© 2010 DaBelly Magazine. All Rights Reserved. - Interview/Review in San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, and Whittier Daily News

Music's Best Kept Secret: Johanna Chase

Johanna Chase is an alt-folk rock artist originally from the Seattle, WA area, but her studio resides in sunny Azuza, CA.

Johanna is like the female version of the Dave Matthews Band, but she delivers her own unique quality that has a sound that crosses hints of southern blues and bluegrass, but she is far more complicated than a simple genre tag or any band comparison.

Since the 5th grade after Johanna picked up the guitar for the first time, her desire transformed from merely playing the typical musical class instrument into discovering the tool that became her passion.

While in junior high, Johanna involved herself with several bands including a few church bands, so she always found a way to perform. Eventually, it led her first recorded single with the band, No Bigshot. This was a big step in Johanna’s music career, but she had ambitions to pursue a solo career as well.

After many opportunities with her pervious bands, Johanna finally moved to Los Angeles to expand her education and pursue more opportunities as an artist. In 2004, Johanna crossed a major milestone and released her first EP, “Not Nearly Enough”. In 2006, she release two more EP’s, “Less Talk, More Rock” and “A Pretty Kind of [off] White”, but it wasn’t until 2008 when Johanna met the band, The Denounement that she grew as a distinguished artist. Together, they put Johanna’s vocal and acoustic talent and combined folk with southern funk and bluegrass to create her next EP entitled, “Azuza”.

The release of "Azuza" was the turning point for Johanna's career with multiple city tours, recognition with a theme song place in an independent movie with the song “Yet to Come”, plus touring with several artists along the way to help catapult her career.

On August 20, Johanna is officially releasing her brand new full length CD, “Translator” at the Day Dream Republic Studio in Los Angeles.
"Translator" is chalk full of modern funk, rock, and soul. In this album, Johanna added her backup band which includes Robert DeLong, Matt Knapil, and Matthew Lee. Together with Johanna’s immense acoustic guitar talent and her incredible vocal strength, they give each other that unique sound that Johanna Chase needed to take her to the next level.

"Translator" does not only have a spontaneity qaulity, the entire album is pure enjoyment, blending an unruffled charm of the saxophone played by Matt Knapil in songs like “Joyful and Brave” and “Just Wait” that gives her music a grassy rooted sound that is traditional southern funk, but with a modern alternative rock kick.

“The songs were written for the specific band arrangement,” said Chase. “There are several songs that represent what I was hoping for.”

After listening to “Translator” and by comparing to Johanna’s previous music from her other EP’s including “Joyful and Brave”, “Azuza”, and “A Pretty Kind of [off] White”, it is hard to decide her best work. As for the composition, the arrangement, and production value, musically, “Translator” is the best so far, but looking at her music from an artist view point, each one of Johanna’s songs are full of artistic beauty and serenity.

"Translator the album 'sonically' sounds the best," said Chase. "We were able to capture what we sound like live more than any other project thus far."

Like the title song, "Translator" each song by Johanna is a miniature story of her life with a reflection of inner working thoughts that dig deep in her psyche.

“'Translator' is about living in the city, the world of economy, and it’s hard to define what is actually going on,” said Chase. “This song spilled out after I took a trip on the city bus in downtown Azuza, CA.”

Then, each song is delivered with the strength of multiple vocal registers and individually custom packaged with either a full band or engaged with a single acoustic guitar. No matter how each song is delivered, listening to Johanna is an undoubted treat.

Recommended songs Johanna Chase not to pass up: "Joyful and Brave", "Just Wait", "Translator", "I Don't Get You Either", "Get Up Good", and "Institution of You". - Interview with All Indie Magazine and Mikey Jay of the Great Unknowns