Shimmer Johnson

Following Her Dream

When did you first get into music? What was your inspiration?

Music has been a part of me my entire life. I started singing with my father Aaron when I was just 3 years old. We would sing on the weekend with family and record our favourite country songs. It was a great experience. As I got older I started doing talent competitions and at 18 got into my first cover band. At 21 I met my co-writer Corey Johnson and since then we have been writing originals.

You ask what my inspiration is. My inspiration is myself and my journey I am on. The type of music I write seems to connect with people at the core. I write about real life feelings and emotions that everyone can relate to. I like to think that people feel a sense of calmness when they listen to my music. To know that they are not the only ones that experience the feelings that they are feeling. Plus my music is very memorable and easy to sing along to.

How has your music evolved since you first began creating music?

It has crazily evolved since I was a kid. I started out singing country music. Then I fell in love with pop music. I would listen to all the diva’s like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. They taught me how to truly sing. I always connected with their music inside my soul. I knew that Adult Contemporary Pop was the style that was my “true” me. In my teens I experimented with rock and grunge. Fell in love with groups like No Doubt and 100 Watt Bulb and singers like Kate Bush, Tori Amos and Alanis Morisette. When I started writing original music I went more on the contemporary pop rock edge doing a mashup of the genres. I still do that today! I finally found my unique sound after listening to contemporary christian artist Lauren Daigle. She inspired me to write my album “Inner Me”. Had I not had access to Lauren’s amazing talents on her album, I don’t think I would have ever written songs so personal like I did on Inner Me. Examples of songs you should check out on Inner Me, “You Keep Me Grounded”, “Priceless”, “Candle” and “Rise.” Plus I even did a contemporary rock version of the 1989 Billboard Hit Toy Soldiers, that was originally made popular. by Martika.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas?

I think what makes me unique is no matter what genre I am singing in, you can always tell it’s “Shimmer”. I like that my voice is unique enough that you can pull it out of the crowd. It can stand on its own and flourish brilliantly.

What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

The biggest challenge really is getting your music out there. It’s very hard to find promotion companies that are not scams. I have encountered so many companies that I wasted so much money on. Some claimed they could get it on mainstream radio and others said satellite and no one was able to come through with what they said. Most of the promotion ended up being just small internet stations. These are good to get music on to. But when your paying for one thing and getting another it can get very frustrating.

A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?

I don’t believe we should be suffering for our art. In 2020/2021 unless you’re signed with a major it’s hard to really make a lot of money unless you’re touring. Even touring is not working right now with the Covid 19 restrictions so many shows were cancelled. I own a production company and it’s barely staying afloat. Also with places like “Spotify” and other streaming services it’s hard to really make money. You can’t sell Mp3’s anymore really as everyone is on a subscription. The companies that are making money off the subscriptions are not really paying out the artists a lot of money. This is just one example. I have over 500K streams on my Spotify account and I made $2100 Canadian dollars off that. I mean $2100 is good money but not for 3 years of streams. I couldn’t live off what I am making from streams. Just not possible. Even though this is FT for me, I still have to work a regular day job to make it at the end of the day.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music industry?

The internet has done many amazing things for us indie artists that are inspiring to be picked up by the majors. It has allowed us to get our art out there. It has also given us opportunities to get our music on Tv & Film. The only downfall is it is hard to make money off our music when all the paid subscriptions companies are unfairly paying out the artists.

If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?

I would love to have syndicated shows on major radio stations. Where they bring out new indie artists to the mainstream listening channels. I think this would give us more opportunity to get heard. Most of the Iheart stations and other mainstream stations will tell me they love my album or my music but because I am not major they cannot play me. I think if your music is good and the station likes it they should have the option of playing it.

What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

My Top Albums I would say that really made a distinct change to the way I sing and write would be in no particular order: 1. Lauren Daigle - Look Up Child 2. Celine Dion - The Colour Of My Love 3. Alanis Morisette - Jagged Little Pill 4. Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes 5. Mariah Carey - Self Titled album and Music Box Album

What is the best advice you have received?

The best advice I have ever been given was from another songwriter. He said don’t leave your music just sitting on your computer, get it out there. Put your best stuff out with your name. The other stuff that’s just okay gets that stuff in catalogs for tv / film. Always be writing and putting new stuff out there. Perform and be you 100% in your music. Don’t try to fake a sound, just find you! I finally found my true sound in 2021 when I released my debut album Inner Me.

Tell us about your current project.

Currently I am working with record producer Ted Perlman. He has worked with some of the greats like Bob Dylan, Whitney Houston and more. I am stoked about our fast pop single we are working on right now called “Starts With You” which will be my first single from my new album.

What’s next for you?

I am looking at releasing a rock album at some point as well as my pop album. I want to be able to reach people in many different genres. I call myself a multi-genre artist. So I will keep holding on to that.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music and follow your career?

You can check out my music on my website http://www. shimmerjohnson.com or you can click on my link to all my projects at https://lynxinbio.com/shimmer which has my links to my Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and more.