With a voice born in
the choir loft and a body consumed by rhythm, Johanna
Stahley leads her five-piece ensemble through energetic
soulful rock, captivating unsuspecting audiences
in the intimate music clubs of New York City. Her
first solo LP, I’m Not Perfect (March 2006),
is complete with thoughtful lyrics and dynamic progressions
that catch the ear and stick.
The daughter of two former Catholic hippies, Johanna
attended college at Rutgers for Environmental Science
in the late nineties. She soon realized her true
calling was music when she fronted the critically
acclaimed New Brunswick, NJ, band Spredhaus. After
three albums, the band dissolved and Johanna set
forth on a solo career. In late 2003, she hooked
up with the New York City-based management team,
The F.O.R.C.E, who encouraged her to expand her
songwriting arsenal by collaborating with other
local writers. When I’m Not Perfect was finished,
there were seven collaborators across the ten songs.
Her exposure to these guiding influences strengthened
Johanna as a songwriter, guitarist and performer.
Putting a positive spin on missteps and broken
relationships is the message threaded through I’m
Not Perfect. Produced by Yellopop (Williamsburg,
Brooklyn), the record has already met with enthusiasm
from the music industry. MTV’s top-rated program
“Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County”
featured two songs on separate episodes, "Nothing
I Would Change" and "I'm Not Perfect".
These two songs played in daily rotation in October
and November of 2005. Additionally, MTV.com highlighted
Johanna as the only independent artist to have a
photo posted on the site, seen by millions. The
single, "I’m Not Perfect," is also
being picked up by independent radio along with
many Internet radio stations and podcasts.
The record’s first reviews have pegged Johanna
as a hit-maker: “Musically, Johanna’s
upcoming release, I'm Not Perfect, really hits you
with one potential hit single after another, think
Kelly Clarkson meets Sheryl Crow meets Shirley Manson.”
(M. Doktorski, NB Underground, January 2006)
Johanna began her career fronting the critically
acclaimed New Brunswick, NJ band Spredhaus in the
late nineties while attending college at Rutgers
for Environmental Science. After three albums, the
band dissolved, and Johanna set forth on her own.
In late 2003, she hooked up with the New York City
based Management team, The F.O.R.C.E, who encouraged
her to expand her songwriting arsenal by collaborating
with other local writers. When I’m Not Perfect
was finished, there were seven collaborators across
the ten songs. Her exposure to these guiding influences
led the once apprehensive Johanna to have confidence
in her skills as a songwriter, guitarist and performer.
Johanna and her new band are taking New York City
by storm this winter and spring, playing such rock
venues as Knitting Factory, Arlene’s Grocery,
Piano’s, Fat Baby, Sin-E and Crash Mansion.
A U.S tour is on the schedule for July 2006.
During the winter of 2006, Johanna formed Yellin'
Hats! Productions with likeminded Brooklyn songwriter/performer
Todd Bogin to create and promote monthly live music
events in New York City featuring their bands along
with other fresh, fun and interesting acts.
Johanna and her band are taking New York City by
storm, playing such rock venues as Knitting Factory,
Bitter End, Arlene’s Grocery, Piano’s,
Fat Baby, Sin-E and Crash Mansion. Her fan base
continues to blossom, built on the support of fans
she’s gained over the years and a U.S tour
is on the schedule for the summer of 2006.
Johanna Stahley is moving steadily toward her dream
with passion and determination; her explosive stage
presence, soulful voice, and ability to craft a
hit record are leading this emerging talent down
her chosen road, one imperfect step at a time.
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