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Charlotte Johansen
New album out now ,"upon waking...dream". Cds available at Real Groovy in Auckland or at my shows. Download at iTunes, Bandcamp, click on links.
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Wall
- Playing at The Grand Central , 126 Ponsonby Road on Tuesday 8th May , 9pm-late with Richard Ingamells on guitar, choice!!!!!
- Playing at the Falls in Henderson today from 4-6pm, come have a wine or beer and enjoy the last of the summer sun!!!!!
- Played at Lahar Cafe in Okato last weekend. Brillant night and spontaneous Madonna sing along.... awesome!!!!!
- Charlotte Johansen playing Montrose Wine Bar in New Plymouth
- Charlotte playing at Coffee at Corbans Estate of Art in Henderson
- Charlotte Johansen is playing at Coffee At Corbans Studio on Friday 6th April from 7pm -8pm during Jambalaya. For all you westie folk you can come along to Jambalaya for free on Friday only , gates open at 6pm. Firstly you register at their website http://www.jambalaya.co.nz/register Use the register page and select the $0 value Waitakere ticket. Please bring proof of address (official letter from bank, insurance, council etc.) with you on the night to collect your ticket. So we will see you at the Coffee at Corbans studio at 7pm then. Cool. Charlotte x x
- Charlotte Johansen playing at Montrose Wine Bar in New Plymouth, Liardet Street on Friday 13th April from 7.30-10pm See you there x
- Playing at the falls restaurant in Henderson from 4.30-6.30 pm today , Friday see you there!!! x
- Playing at the Titirangi Festival of Music on Saturday 31st March on the village stage at 4pm. see you there
- I'm playing at The Falls restaurant from 4.30-6.30 pm today, Friday 23rd March in Henderson , West Auckland. Come along and enjoy a drink and live sounds. Sweet
- Charlotte Johansen is playing at the Titirangi Music Festival, Saturday 31st March at the village stage- 4pm with Charlotte Johansen and the Ladies
- Playing on National Radio on Friday from about 1.20-2pm ,101.4FM.... cool!!!
- Charlotte Johansen has a show on 2012-03-16 at 21:00 @ Meow Edward St in Wellington http://www.reverbnation.com/c./poni/95608865
- Posted a new blog entry "Off to Wellington on Friday 16th March for a show at Meow Cafe in ..." http://www.reverbnation.com/c./poni/93853312
- Charlotte Johansen has a show on 2012-03-03 at 15:00 @ Gladefest at K... in West coast http://www.reverbnation.com/c./poni/92671049
- Charlotte Johansen at Meow Edward St
- Added a new video: "Charlotte Johansen - Freedom Rolling" http://www.reverbnation.com/c./poni/92258657
- Charlotte and the band playing Gladefest at Karekare beach on Saturday 3rd March from 3pm to 6pm , see you there, West coast rocks!!!!!!
- Posted a new photo: "" http://www.reverbnation.com/c./poni/90631382
- Posted a new song: "Icicle" http://www.reverbnation.com/c./poni/90631068
- Posted a new photo: "" http://www.reverbnation.com/c./poni/90630857
- Posted a new song: "upon waking...dream" http://www.reverbnation.com/c./poni/90630739
- Check out Charlotte Johansen's store on Facebook. Ringtones, downloads http://apps.facebook.com/rn_store/store/artist_2424465.
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Bio
Described as pop music for grown ups, Charlotte Johansen’s music seamlessly blends a keen sense of satire and everyday truth with melodic hooks. Like the stylings of Sarah McLachlan or Beth Orton, her songs are beautiful and sincere.
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 trained 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 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 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 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 had been 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- drums, Jon Postlethwaite- bass, Jennifer Eirena- backing vocals, Nick Connor-Trumpet, Michael Day - electronic programming, Dave Ward - Banjo, Greg McGarity -Viola and Jonathan Kuttner -Cello.
Produced by Charlotte Johansen, Jon Postlethwaite with additional production by Andre Upston, Richard Ingamells and Michael 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 at 14 months old.This album is dedicated to Tama’s beautiful spirit.
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Photos
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Uploads
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Albums
- 11 tracks (00:00)
BuyThis album has been at least 3 years in the making and I am proud to announce it is finally time to release it to the world. Enjoy. Dance, sing let me know what you think!! News updates at http://www.charlottejohansen.co.nz Download these songs at - 5 tracks (00:00)
Buy - 10 tracks (00:00)
Buy"Charlotte Johansen: There Are Hundreds of Ways to Kneel and Kiss the Ground It's easy to be skeptical of the unsigned solo artist, but in the case of Charlotte Johansen, scepticism can go take a running jump. '...Kiss the Ground' is a gem of an album, simple and sweet, if anything too easy despite some gutsy vocals. Charlotte's songwriting includes a touch of jazz, folk, pop, angst and a whole lot of passion, taking inspiration from vivacious female artists like Michelle Shocked, Suzanne Vega and Ani DiFranco. Although recorded in canada, Charlotte hails from New Plymouth, and there is that undeniable NZ flavour through each track, Kereru Wings for example. The potential in Charlotte's musical ability is exciting; with quality production and some record company backing, she could be the next local artist everyone is talking about. Get yourself a copy. " - Claire Nelson, NZMusician Magazine (Dec 02, 2003)
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Posts
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Albums
- 11 tracks (00:00)
BuyThis album has been at least 3 years in the making and I am proud to announce it is finally time to release it to the world. Enjoy. Dance, sing let me know what you think!! News updates at http://www.charlottejohansen.co.nz Download these songs at - 5 tracks (00:00)
Buy - 10 tracks (00:00)
Buy"Charlotte Johansen: There Are Hundreds of Ways to Kneel and Kiss the Ground It's easy to be skeptical of the unsigned solo artist, but in the case of Charlotte Johansen, scepticism can go take a running jump. '...Kiss the Ground' is a gem of an album, simple and sweet, if anything too easy despite some gutsy vocals. Charlotte's songwriting includes a touch of jazz, folk, pop, angst and a whole lot of passion, taking inspiration from vivacious female artists like Michelle Shocked, Suzanne Vega and Ani DiFranco. Although recorded in canada, Charlotte hails from New Plymouth, and there is that undeniable NZ flavour through each track, Kereru Wings for example. The potential in Charlotte's musical ability is exciting; with quality production and some record company backing, she could be the next local artist everyone is talking about. Get yourself a copy. " - Claire Nelson, NZMusician Magazine (Dec 02, 2003)
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Tweets
- I connected Twitter to my http://t.co/GEDHFgpV page - http://t.co/9Nwh1trn
- Playing at the Titirangi Festival of Music on Saturday 31st March on the village stage at 4pm. see you there
- Charlotte Johansen has a show on 2012-03-16 at 21:00 @ Meow Edward St in Wellington http://t.co/RQXt7l3x #concert
- Charlotte Johansen has a show on 2012-03-16 at 21:00 @ Meow Edward St in Wellington http://t.co/xWisunmK #concert
- Tonight playing at The Falls, Henderson West Auckland , 4.30-6.30pm come on for beer or glass of wine on this gorgeous summer evening xMar 08, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Charlotte Johansen, Lizard Folk And Finn Johansson Play Meow at Meow - Mukuna: http://t.co/BSAy3R4Z via @AddThis
- Posted a new blog entry "Off to Wellington on Friday 16th March for a show at Meow Cafe in ..." http://t.co/9FbShuwa
- I'm currently watching CharlotteJohansen - Plaything http://t.co/ZKJKPVkp via @muzutv
- Playing in Wellington on Friday 16th March at Meow in Edwards street, 9pm , $10 on door, see you thereMar 05, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Charlotte Johansen has a show on 2012-03-03 at 15:00 @ Gladefest at K... in West coast http://t.co/UCMpA51P #concert
- Charlotte Johansen has a show on 2012-03-03 at 12:00 @ Gladefest at K... in West coast http://t.co/5TnRweQ3 #concert
- Charlotte Johansen has a show on 2012-03-03 at 12:00 @ Gladefest at K... in West coast http://t.co/3xA2WBmw #concert
- Charlotte Johansen has a show on 2012-03-03 at 12:00 @ Gladefest at K... in West coast http://t.co/OXPOqZs6 #concert
- Charlotte Johansen has a show on 2012-03-03 at 12:00 @ Gladefest at K... in West coast http://t.co/vel23QfG #concert
- Charlotte Johansen has a show on 2012-03-03 at 12:00 @ Gladefest at K... in West coast http://t.co/YCBWDOxm #concert
- Charlotte Johansen has a show on 2012-03-03 at 12:00 @ Gladefest at K... in West coast http://t.co/1pK5UKbn #concert
- Added a new video: "Charlotte Johansen - Freedom Rolling" http://t.co/tHgI4Bk2 #video
- Added a new video: "Charlotte Johansen - Freedom Rolling" http://t.co/bZbfWZ0H #video
- Hoping to be played on The Radio Cafe Indie Music Countdown! Post on their wall to request Charlotte Johansen. http://t.co/eGrMjs52
- Posted a new photo: "" http://t.co/tq6e2anu
