Kaylee Johnston

Vancouver-based singer-songwriter Kaylee Johnston is gearing up to release her debut album this fall, but before the self-titled effort arrives, Exclaim! is giving you the first listen to her new single "Are You the One."

Citing her influences as artists like Stevie Nicks, Annie Lennox and Heart, Johnston delivers pop music that's catchy but packs some punch. Raw and honest, "Are You the One" hears Johnston incorporating R&B, soul and rock influences, even edging towards rap on one particularly rapid-fire refrain.

"'Are You the One' might be my favourite song on the album," she said in a statement. "I wrote it out of frustration towards the dating game. It's like, can't we just like each other and everything just be easy?!"

That frustration has been transformed into an eclectic pop gem, which you can hear for yourself in the player below. Kaylee Johnston is officially out on October 23. - Exclaim!

For Vancouver-based singer/songwriter Kaylee Johnston, music is a way of life.

Singing on stage for the first time at her kindergarten talent show, Johnston quickly became hooked on the rush live performance gave her.

“I was five-years-old and I sang ‘A Whole New World’ from Aladdin,” Johnston told Vancity Buzz. “I was pretty much sold after that.”

She continued writing songs and singing as a hobby, but it wasn’t until 15 that Johnston began to take the art seriously. Locking herself in her bedroom, she taught herself how to play guitar in just a week, began playing open mics and recorded her first demo not long after. This dedication helped her develop as an artist, while connecting emotionally with her material and subjects.

“What I love most about music is the way it allows me to express myself and connect with others,” she says. “When I song write I always have some kind of breakthrough, and there’s nothing more fulfilling than when I get to share that with my audience, and they connect with it.“

For Johnston, songwriting is a way to connect with herself and her past. While she says most of her material comes from relationships, she attempts to go further than the surface emotions associated with love and loss.

“I always try and dig a little deeper and figure out what the exact emotion I’m feeling is, and why that person brought it out in me,” she says. “I’m so fascinated with the way we live our lives. The way we turn a blind eye when we’re in love to things we shouldn’t. How in a moment, our perception of someone can completely shift. In the end, I just want people to make good decisions and be the best person they can be, so I hope that reflects in my songs.”

The album represents a life-time of work. Having written hundreds of songs, the pieces that made it on the album reflect specific periods in Johnston’s life, and the emotions associated with them.

“The songs I chose for my album are all very close to me. They’re all about situations I was in that I was trying to ‘figure out’, and by writing the song, I was able to gain some clarity,” she says. “I was going through a break-up, and I was experiencing what it was like to be single for the first time in a long time. Everything from dating the wrong guys, to feeling the sting of someone not wanting me back, all a midst trying to get over a guy who I was still in love with. I was writing so much, and this collection of songs in particular empowered me every time I felt lonely. Some of them took me to a higher place, and some just helped me validate what I was experiencing.”

With the album coming out in 2016, two music videos on the way, and her first single – “Are You the One” – sitting at 60 thousand plays on Spotify, Johnston says there’s no end in sight.

“No matter what, I have to continue creating,” she says. “Sometimes I can get very bogged down with the planning of everything, but in the end, I’m here to be an artist.” - Vancity Buzz

With her self-titled debut EP due out October 23, Kaylee Johnston is showing that she’s the one to listen to with her single “Are You the One.” Both pining and seductive, the song combines catchy pop beats with R&B tones and a rap-like breakdown that pulls you in and leaves you breathless.

With lyrics like “Boy/you’ve got met hooked on you and I/I can’t stop checking my phone/I haven’t heard from you in days,” she conveys the yearning of a new relationship. While lines like “I just want you to see me naked/but not just clothes off/like when I can just be myself/’cause around you it’s like no one else/I feel so real” show a power and confidence that’s not often seen in your typical “Ooh baby”-type song.

Kaylee manages to communicate both a desire for an end to loneliness and a strength to confront the potential “One” and demand an answer. The result is a beautiful dichotomy that both enthralls and enchants. - Talk Nerdy With Us

Kaylee Johnston has been singing since she can remember. Around the age of 5, her mom’s best friend told her she should do the talent show at school, and that was it. She became determined to become a superstar. Unfortunately the road hasn’t been as smooth as she would have liked.

When she picked that dream 19 years ago she had many challenges getting to where she is today.

“I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count the number of times I’ve been told I was not good enough, that my songs weren’t strong enough, that I was not talented enough, but this has only fueled my fire.”

Now, at 24 years old, she is releasing her single ‘Gone’, the first of a series of singles she will be releasing in 2013 and 2014.Having written over 250 songs in the past 3 years, and co-directed her music video, she is on her way to an exciting future. We asked Kaylee about her personal style:

“When it comes to fashion, I pull from many different inspirations. Sequins continue to be a big part of my life, but lately my style has gone very street, and I’ve been rocking platform runners with jeggings and baggy t-shirts a lot. I also have this pair of white and black drop crotch pants that I wear maybe a little too much. Scratch that, I actually have 2 pairs of white and black drop crotch pants. Anything that makes me feel more like me, I wear. It’s a beautiful feeling. An outward expression of what’s within.”

Kaylee’s songs are written from an extremely emotional place, and always about real life situations.

“Sometimes I’ll tweak the truth to make the situation more interesting, but the original emotion never changes. Gone was written like this. It’s about a relationship I got out of 6 years ago. No one has ever gotten under my skin like that guy did. Knowing that I was over him completely felt so empowering, so it was the perfect place to write from.”

She tells us that she writes her songs within 30 to 45 minutes usually. “They just pop into my head and I flow with what ever comes next. Over a week or two they naturally tweak themselves. For example, I’ll be singing it in my head, and a better word or phrase will automatically come in and replace the old one” - Assignment Fashion

Kaylee Johnston makes a great case that she’s ready for the candy-dipped electro-pop spotlight with her latest single “Gone”, which is lovingly engineered to appeal to those who can’t get enough of Katy Perry and the ever-awesome Robyn in their diets.

Killer costume: “I dressed up as Kung Fu Panda one year. That was probably the best costume—and best Halloween—of my life! I had it all: the onesie with the sewed-on fur, the ears, and the samurai sword, which I threw in to put my own twist on things. It was the bomb.”

Graveyard smash: “ ‘Thriller’!!! Is there any other answer to that question? On top of that, MJ is the man. Hearing ‘Thriller’ a few weeks before Halloween is kind of like when you hear ‘Let It Snow’ a few months before Christmas, except the feeling is a little more badass, and you know it’s time to break out that Kung Fu Panda costume yet again.” - Georgia Straight

Kaylee Johnston is a local singer who is making waves in pop music. She just released her new single “Gone” which is now available from iTunes.

We recently toured the Bloedel Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park with Kaylee to chat and about her style, her inspiration and supporting the arts in Vancouver.

VV: Describe your musical and fashion style?
KJ: My music is the product of many different concepts and ideas I’ve collected over the years, but to be honest, nothing makes me happier than when I write a good, pop song. Then I like to throw a good beat behind it, add in a li’l synth action, and let the song dictate where the rest of it goes. Yes, I think Katy Perry is the shit. But so is with Robyn and Marina and the Diamonds. You get where I’m going with this :)
As for my fashion sense, I’ve decided that the more likely it is that I will look back at photos of myself 10 years from now and hate what I’m wearing, the more likely it is that I am wearing EXACTLY what I should be wearing. I love fashion. I love crazy. Maybe because I’m a little crazy…

VV: What inspires your songs?
KJ: Boyfriends. Especially ex-boyfriends.

VV:Outside of your bedroom, where is your favourite place to write songs?
KJ: I’m always writing. I write my songs fast… usually in about 45 minutes but sometimes in as little as 10. I can write anywhere and everywhere, but it’s usually when I’m on my way somewhere, not thinking about music at all, that a song will pop into my head. I write the lyrics down or record it on my iPhone and come back to it when I have the time. I wrote a lot of ‘Gone’ this way :)

VV:How are local artists putting Vancouver on the map?
KJ:Vancouver has seriously impressed me over the past couple of years. I’m seeing artists becoming more ‘go-getters’. They are really taking their careers into their own hands, everything from their shows to their songs to promotion. I also think that The Peak has a lot to do with this… yay Peak!!!

VV:Why do you love Vancouver?
KJ: I feel space in Vancouver. It’s so beautiful here and the pace it runs at allows me to be creative.

VV: What’s your favourite Vantage point in the city?
KJ: In Queen Elizabeth Park there’s a bird conservatory… if you walk by there at night, please take a moment and check out the view. It’s phenomenal.

VV: How do we get more people to support the arts in Vancouver?
KJ: COME TO OUR SHOWS!!! I think that’s the main thing. Become a music LOVER, not just a music listener. Sometimes I notice people stand back and wait to be told what’s cool. Why not decide for yourself? Check out a local show. Hunt the local blogs [or follow @vanvantage ] for what’s new. That’s what I would like to see more of.

VV: What’s your favourite cover song to sing?
KJ: Hit Me Baby One More Time by Britney Spears… obviously.

VV: When can we see you perform next?
KJ: Saturday, Oct. 19th atJoe’s Apartment (919 Granville Street) Doors at 8pm, Show at 9PM, Tickets available at the door ($12)

VV: Share something brilliant:
KJ: Be yourself. No one else can do you better than YOU. And while your at it, LOVE yourself and how awesomely unique you are. - Vancouver Vantage

Kaylee Johnston is back as her latest single, Gone, is starting to draw attention. With a show Friday night at the Narrows in North Vancouver, Joe Leary spent 24 Seconds with the local singer/songwriter.

24: What did you grow up listening to and did your parent’s musical tastes influence you?

KJ: Honestly, my parents didn't have a huge influence on my musical taste. My mom kept five or six CD’s in the car and rotated them and still does. I think they currently consist of Alicia Keys, Sarah McLaughlin, Sarah, Brightman, the Beatles and Charlie Pride. My favorite songs were from Disney movies. How it all started was our family friend heard me singing A Whole New World from Aladdin when I was five and said I should enter the school talent show. And that was it - I was sold and completely convinced that I was going to be a singer my whole life.

24: So who inspired you?

KJ: I went through my phases. At first it was a lot of songwriters like Sarah McLachlan, Avril Lavigne and pretty much anyone on the Women & Songs compilations. Then as I got more into music I started to love some of the older female rock icons like Heart and Joan Jett.

24: Who are your musical heroes today?

KJ: Well I genuinely love Katy Perry, but my even bigger role model at the moment is Swedish pop star Robyn. She had a huge hit when she was 16 and then rebuilt herself over her twenties and is now in her thirties doing the coolest pop music on the planet. I love that she did it her way and was able to break the mold of her teen-pop image. Being a woman, and highly aware of our global situation, I'm always drawn to other females who have a backbone and stand up for what they think is important, even if it’s not the status quo. Although I'm not a fan of her latest album, I do think Lady Gaga has done an amazing job at this. I think it’s amazing that she started her own foundation to bring awareness and answers to the bullying crisis teenagers face today. It's something I see myself doing one day as well.

24: Tell me about your songwriting process.

KJ: This past year it’s really changed. It used to be I'd sit down with myself or a co-writer and it was 'time to write a song!' But I've adapted more of a flow recently and the moment an idea comes to me I'm able to run with it. Generally, the process is less than an hour long and if the song is good it will stick with me over the next few days and I'll just naturally make tweaks where they're needed. The idea always stems from a deep-felt emotion that somehow magically turns into words, phrases and melodies all at once.

24: What’s the story behind Gone?

KJ: The song is about an ex who I broke up with over six years ago, but it only came out of me last summer. I love it when an old situation can bring about a creative wave. I basically said everything I wished I had said to his face in this song. And then I officially experienced closure for the first time in my life.

24: Where do you see yourself in five years?

KJ: That's a big question. I have huge dreams and aspirations. What I'd love to see happen is me being able to tour the world and connect with my fans, whether that be at GM Place (sic) or Commodore-size venues, I'd take either. Out of all the experiences I've had so far, performing to and meeting my fans has been the most rewarding. The more I am able to do that the more satisfied I am in my career. - 24 Hrs Vancouver

ONE up-and-coming Vancouver musician is getting ready for the biggest shows of her career to kick off the summer.

Kaylee Johnston will be performing at the PNE's 2012 Summer Playland Festival on July 6 and 8.

"I am excited to do an all-ages show in Vancouver . . . I've always played at clubs," she says. "I am so excited to finally play for my younger audience because I have never been able to in Vancouver."

The festival lineup includes Joe Jonas, Marianas Trench, Danny Fernandes, OneRepublic, Victoria Duffield, Gym Class Heroes, Cobra Starship, Carly Rae Jepsen, Hot Chelle Rae, Kristina Maria, Eric Solomon and Dragonette.

"When I first accepted I had no idea what the lineup was," Johnston says. "I just thought, great exposure and fans, all the things that artists think about when they get a gig."

Since being asked to perform the 23-year-old has been hard at work preparing for the big event. Johnston says she will perform brand new music for fans at both of her Playland performances.

"I am doing all kinds of stuff that I probably wouldn't have done at least this soon. It's really pushed the boundaries for me. I am putting together a really cool live act." Johnston says. "I want to stand out amongst all the other artists there."

"What it's done for me is really up my game," she adds. Johnston has had plenty of practice performing in front of audiences. She has opened up for Dragonette and performed in cities across Canada.

"I've been playing a lot of shows with Eric Solomon," she says. "I feel like I am really ready to play more shows and do more touring. I plan to use this show at Playland as the platform . . . to promote my upcoming single and to test to see what works and what doesn't."

After her scheduled performance at Playland, she plans on organizing a much larger nationwide tour.

"My plan is to do a really thorough Canadian tour and touch base with the fans that I've created and create more fans," Johnston says. "I really see myself as a role model and I really want my fans to make good decisions in their life. . . . And the fact that I am a mentor to some of them really makes me feel fulfilled in what I do."

Johnston has been singing since she was in kindergarten and began writing songs in Grade 3.

"I write from experience. All of my songs have either been about experience or something that I've observed in other people. I am trying to get a message out even if it doesn't' quite seem like it," she says. "We all go through experiences in life that are quite similar. We all get our heartbroken, we all in love, we all go to a nightclub for the first time and these are all experiences that I've had and I want to relay to my fans."

However, her music career really began to take flight when she produced her first demo at 16.

"It wasn't really a decision, I kind of feel like it chose me," she says. The electro-pop singer's single "Arms Around Me" was submitted to the Canadian Radio Star songwriting competition where she became a finalist.

"I recorded that song and it was really purely just to get my name out there. I didn't expect to make any money on it or anything. It's actually been really profitable in a lot of ways," Johnston says. "I didn't even know I got accepted until I was listening to 95.3 one day and they said my name."

Johnston has been influenced by artists such as Jewel, Sarah McLachlan and Avril Lavigne.

"When I was growing up I also liked Robyn because she was just a 16-year-old pop star back then," Johnston says. "I've always gravitated towards female pop artists."

In the spring of 2010, Johnston released her five-tracks EP Streetlight and the single "Bigger Than You" received Canada wide radio play on 20 major radio stations.

"Around the time I released my EP was when I really started to get into the underground electronic music scene," she says. "I really wanted to go for an electronic pop sound with some rock upbeat drums. It was what I liked and I just made it work together."

Johnston is also working on a new album which she says will be more electronic and pop than her previous effort.

"I have evolved and I am coming out with some new stuff. This album has been about writing from my heart and writing stuff that is real," she says. "The last album that I did was still electro-pop but it had more rock influences, whereas this album is pretty electro. We are not using any live drums on the floor it's all electronic drums.

"One thing that I really stay away from is the whole Auto-Tune thing that is going on these days. I love the way a raw, rich female voice sounds and that's something I have and I am using it to my advantage. I don't want to cover it up with effects," she adds.

With the increasing popularity of social media in the last two years alone, Johnston plans on a taking a different marketing approach when she releases her new album.

"The marketing plan is still a work in progess," she says. "I've been experimenting with YouTube videos and other things that I've been releasing to see what kind of ideas work."

While singing and songwriting is Johnston's first passion she also has another love.

"I have a hat fetish, I love hats and I have about 20 of them," she says. "Whenever I travel I really like to buy myself something to remind me of that city or experience and it's always hats . . . All my hats have different meaningful things to them."

For more information about Kaylee Johnston visit www. kayleejohnston.com and for more on the Playland Summer Festival Line up go to http: //spf2012.ca/.
- See more at: http://www.nsnews.com/entertainment/music/kaylee-johnston-ups-her-game-for-summer-playland-festival-1.351733#sthash.yRFNIz86.dpuf - North Shore News

Starting today and running all the way until the 28th, the Songs of the Days are going to be dedicated to those playing our very own Then & Now show! And I can't think of a better way to start it with my favourite new discovery, Kaylee Johnston.

When I saw her at JP Marurice's Cover Up For The Planet show a couple weeks ago, my second thought was "I hope we can get her for Then & Now!" and as luck would have it, she not only said yes, but has some new music coming out as well!

Her debut album comes out next year, but for now she is teasing us with a few early singles. The latest is called "Try" and it is a ridiculously catchy pop song, with her stellar voice soaring over the chorus.

She'll be one of the performers at next week's Then & Now show, of course, or if you are not that patient, catch her tonight at the Media Club opening for Tyler Ward! - 3am Revelations

Vancouver pop artist Kaylee Johnston is set to release her new EP which was mastered by Tom Coyne. Check out her new track “Try” below and see why Johnston is going to turn heads with this release. Make sure to stay updated with her online for updates and new music leading up to her new album! - Ground Sounds

Kaylee Johnston’s “Try” is an infectious follow up to her first single, “Are You The One”. The alt-rock song will have you eagerly awaiting her new EP, set to be released in early 2016. She’s an ambitious Vancouver-based musician who spent the last two years writing and recording for the upcoming self-titled album.

Johnston’s first album was recorded at the age of 16. Her song, “Arms Around Me,” earned her a finalist slot in the Canadian Radio Star songwriting competition as well as use in a made-for-TV movie, on CBC radio, and Vancouver’s Jack FM morning show. Since then Johnston has opened for Dragonette and Ace of Base, and shared stages with Carly Rae Jepsen, One Republic, and Joe Jonas.

It’s easy to hear Johnson’s musical influences on “Try”- Stevie Nicks, Annie Lennox, and Heart. The track is also very reminiscent of ’80s pop songs with catchy hooks and strong vocals. Though the pop vibe is evident throughout the EP, you’ll also hear rock, R&B, and soul. After writing hundreds of songs, Johnston made her picks for the EP. It was produced and mixed by Steve Smith and Anthony Anderson of SA Trackworks and mastered by Tom Coynes (Beyonce, Taylor Swift).

“Try” is released today via PopMatters. - Elmore Magazine

Introducing Vancouver-based singer/songwriter Kaylee Johnston, who has today unveiled her new single titled "Try", which serves as the second single following "Are You The One" to be taken from her forthcoming self-titled debut EP, scheduled for release in early 2016. The EP was produced and mixed by Steve Smith and Anthony Anderson of SA Trackworks and mastered by Tom Coynes (Beyonce, Taylor Swift).

Speaking on the track, Kaylee says:

"'Try' has an interesting story. I was going through a breakup and in an effort to get over the guy I was writing about 10 songs a week, just to get it all out of my system. This song kind of got lost in the process. I record all my demos on my iPhone, and when it came time to choose the songs for the album, I stumbled across it and was like, this isn't that bad. When I played it for my producers, they loved it. I was so blindsided when the relationship ended. I couldn't wrap my head around why he didn’t want to put the effort in to make it work, like I did. A big inspiration to the production was 'With or With Out You' by U2. I wanted the production to slowly grow but never get too out of control. I think it reflects the nostalgic tone of the song and lets the lyric and melody be the central focus."

Listen to "Try" below. - Wonky Sensitive

Kaylee Johnston is excited to announce the release of her new single “Try” off her upcoming EP. The song was mastered by Tom Coyne (Beyonce, Taylor Swift).

Kaylee Johnston is a talented and ambitious Vancouver based pop singer, songwriter, and performer who’s spent the last two years writing and recording her upcoming self-titled debut album, due out early 2016. Taking influence from artists like Stevie Nicks, Annie Lennox, and Heart, Kaylee Johnston delivers ear-catching pop hooks with a crisp, intoxicating voice that is distinct and unforgettable. The album carries an undertone of inner strength and empowerment layered with contemporary beats and melodic hooks. Kaylee has previously opened for Dragonette and Ace of Base, has shared the stage with Carly Rae Jepsen, Marianna’s Trench, One Republic, and Joe Jonas, and she’s wow-ed audiences at Canadian Music Week and the 2010 Olympic Games.

Kalyee Johnston’s upcoming self-titled debut album was produced and mixed by Steve Smith and Anthony Anderson of SA Trackworks and Mastered by Tom Coynes (Beyonce, Taylor Swift). Kaylee and SA Trackworks started working together in March 2013. Their first collaboration was Getting Over You (co-written with Smith and Anderson). They worked together for two years, writing and feeling out the artistic direction of the album, before officially beginning production February of 2015. The concept for the album was to create something organic-sounding and contemporary. SA Trackworks built the tracks with live instruments first, and layered them with more contemporary sounds once they had a raw template. Although the album has a strong pop vibe, it’s layered with influences from RnB, soul, and rock icons like Fleetwood Mac. - Vents Magazine

A crazily good alt-rock hook and one hell of a voice make this new track a winner.

Vancouver singer-songwriter Kaylee Johnston is working on her debut album which is set for release in spring 2016, which ranges from edgy R&B to more rock-oriented fare. New song “Try” is a good example of the latter, which bridges the effervescence of Carly Rae Jepsen and the alt-rock charm of late ‘90s Natalie Imbruglia. It’s all about Johnston’s crystalline voice, which conveys emotion and charisma with a directness that’s arresting.

”‘Try’ has an interesting story,” she says. “I was going through a breakup and in an effort to get over the guy I was writing about 10 songs a week, just to get it all out of my system. This song kind of got lost in the process. I record all my demos on my iPhone, and when it came time to choose the songs for the album, I stumbled across it and was like, this… isn’t that bad… When I played it for my producers, they loved it. I was so blindsided when the relationship ended. I couldn’t wrap my head around why he didn’t want to put the effort in to make it work, like I did. A big inspiration to the production was ‘With or With Out You’ by U2. I wanted the production to slowly grow but never get too out of control. I think it reflects the nostalgic tone of the song and lets the lyric and melody be the central focus.” - Pop Matters