The Next Woman of Music: Mia Joh

"Mia has a color to her voice that is totally and completely different. It is different than anyone I've ever worked with." - Tracey Gorman, National Opera Professional

This 3 song EP is as creative as it is raw, as catchy as it is unique. Mia's songwriting sits somewhere between alternative and pop, bridging her influences ranging from Avril Lavigne to Copeland. [...] With her first studio release, Mia Johnson has already proven that she has the raw talent and work ethic needed to stick around in this business. I can't wait to hear what Mia writes next."
-Stephen Halvig, Droptone Studios

Mia Johnson grew up as an only child in a big scene for folk and alternative music- Minneapolis, Minnesota. She took an interest in music from a very early age. Mia's ambitions to sing began at age 7 when she asked her mother if she could take voice lessons. Mia's first music teacher whom she continued to study with for over ten years, advised that Mia start with piano lessons. After studying piano for 2 years, influenced by her surroundings of folk and indie music, Mia took an interest in guitar, "My dad and I tried to find the cheapest guitar we could, so we got a half-size thirty-dollar First Act acoustic from Mill's Fleet Farm." Soon after teaching herself guitar, Mia began writing songs at age 10, "My first song was titled 'Gone.' It was dedicated to a family member who had passed. I played it for my family and they were amazed that I could produce a good song and unique lyrics. I was only 10 or 11" Mia explains.
Upon entering high school, 14-year old Mia began taking professional voice lessons from Tracey Gorman,a renowned opera singer around the country. Mia and Tracey worked to combine both classical and pop ideologies to help Mia use her voice, which she is best known for, in the best way possible.
Mia has been in several small bands around the Minneapolis metro and has performed in venues such as The Guthrie Theater, First Avenue, and the Walker Art Center. "She was always playing wherever she could. She was so respected as a musician from being a natural talent to being involved musically around the area. There is even a banner hung in dedication to her craft with her face on it at her high school" says Mia's father, Thom. After high school, at only 18, Mia moved to Chicago to pursue her dreams and study music, "It wasn't the right place at the right time" she says,"I stayed a year and decided that I needed to get out." Now, at age 19, Mia has been accepted into Berklee School of Music in Boston which is where she moved to studies songwriting.
Mia released her debut EP, "Ambiguous" in May 2014, "It's a collection of songs I've had written in the past 3 or 4 years. I needed to finally just get them out there and craft them into what I've always heard in my head" Mia explains,"They're not songs that I would write anymore, with the exception of Like You Do (which ended up getting away from me in the end), but they are stories of who I am and still mean something to me." While residing in Boston, Mia continues to learn and be inspired while writing for a full length album, "I am taking my new experiences that I have gained in my life to make this album, but not forgetting my roots. Musically, it's a lot different, it's not quite as moody." While there is no date as to when her full length will be released, we can expect to hear some new sounds throughout the year, "I've matured, especially coming from my time in Chicago, and my music is a huge reflection of that. My lyrics aren't just about what I'm feeling anymore, and my songs aren't all in minor keys these days" she laughs,"Expect something new, I guess, different, extraordinary, but still Mia."
You can stream and purchase Mia's debut EP, "Ambiguous" now at the links below.

"Never forget your roots." - Mia Johnson

www.miajohnsonsound.bandcamp.com