Artist
Charlotte Johansen
Charlotte Johansen writes pop music for grown ups, inspired by vivacious singer/songwriters like Michelle Shocked, Sinead O’Connor Ani Difranco, and Sarah McLachlan.
Although Charlotte had played music at school and learnt several instruments including the flute, drums and the saxophone, she had never thought to write her own songs or compose her own music. At the age of 21 she was singing a Sinead O’Connor song in her flat in Christchurch, she thought that no-one else was home and suddenly she started singing in a way she never had done before. What makes this moment stick in Charlotte’s mind other than finding her voice, was that her flat mate appeared at the top of the landing asking her to be quiet because she was meditating. “I’d never experience this kind of projection in my voice before and I knew in that moment what I wanted to do with my life, and that was to write and sing.”
She spent the next couple of years hitch-hiking around the south island, writing, labouring in seasonal jobs and playing around campfires. On one rainy night in Golden Bay she hooked up with some other musicians, formed a band called Plum, played one show and then disbanded.
In 1996 she returned to her home town of New Plymouth, met up with some great musicians and friends and spent time jamming, working and performing in local theatre.
Realising she needed a change of scene Charlotte made her way to Auckland and spent time training to be a teacher but in the end that didn’t really work out for her. “Music was like an itch I had to scratch and if I wasn’t writing or performing I’d have this feeling that something was missing.”
In 2001 she followed her kiwi boyfriend to Toronto, who was off to play in a 2 piece punk band and Charlotte decided she wanted to travel and play music. Charlotte was following her heart, the music and the boy. Her independently released debut album, There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground, was recorded in Canada in 2002 and was her first step in becoming a recording artist
Returning to New Zealand in 2003 Charlotte continued playing and writing. Charlotte won 2nd place at the York Street Studio Acid Test, a national performance and songwriting competition held at the Temple bar in Auckland.
In June 2004 Charlotte was invited back to Canada to play their biggest annual music event; North by North East [NXNE]. Charlotte was the only New Zealand musician out of 400 acts who participated. While there, she recorded another 5 songs that she released in NZ the following year. This offering was Yes Charlotte and she toured the country playing over 18 shows in 3 weeks. Her guitar playing combined with insightful lyrics began to speak directly to her audience and with each show she picked up fans wherever she played.
Charlotte spent the next two years writing more songs, and honing her songwriting craft.
Since 2007 Charlotte has been concentrating on raising her daughter with her husband (that kiwi punk boyfriend) in West Auckland where she has continued to play gigs and write, organising music nights for other West Auckland musicians and developing her latest offering, her third album “Upon waking…dream.
“I wrote the title about 15 years ago, but I didn’t actually write the song until last year. I knew what it was about but perhaps I needed to grow up and experience life, to really understand it. To me it means when you wake up to who you are and who you can be, you can make your dreams a reality.”
“Upon waking…dream”-the album
Recording this album has been a journey in itself and all involved have been a part of the heartfelt and the heartache. Charlotte first recorded a demo version with guitar and vocals and then asked friend and musician Michael Day to help her develop her sound with a more electronic bend.
The album was then recorded with fellow musician and friend Richard Ingamells over the next 9 and a half months. Richard lives in the beautiful Waitakere Ranges and this album was recorded in his home under very special circumstances.
When Richard and his pregnant partner Sarah were holidaying in Samoa in 2009, the island was hit by a devastating Tsunami. As a result their son Tama Toa was born prematurely with serious complications. Both Richard and Sarah believed in this music project with Charlotte and so recording this album took place while looking after Tama at home.
Sometimes recording had to stop if Tama’s suction machine needed to be turned on. And at times Richard would record with a split screen on the monitor, a webcam over Tama‘s cot with what was happening with the recording.
The album was recorded with local musicians, Charlotte Johansen on vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboards, Richard Ingamells on piano, acoustic and electric guitar. Yair Katz on drums, Jon Postlethwaite on bass, Jennifer Eirena on Backing vocals, Nick Connor on Trumpet, Michael Day on electronic programming, Dave Ward on Banjo, Greg McGarity on Viola and Jonathan Kuttner on Cello.
Produced by Charlotte Johansen, Jon Postlethwaite with additional production by A, Upston, R.Ingamells and M. Day. The songs were mixed by Andre Upston and then mastered by Don Bartley at Benchmark in Sydney.
This album promises to inspire and ignite.
Sadly Tama died at the end of 2010 after fighting for his life for over 14 months.
This album is dedicated to Tama Toa’s beautiful warrior spirit.
Visit Charlotte's Official Site or her MySpace page.
Storm in a Teacup Play